Lexington, KY (August 10, 2017) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Lois Heyerdahl and Winnie Heiney-Duncan will be recognized as USDF Members of Distinction at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 2, 2017, during the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, KY. The USDF Member of Distinction Award is a prestigious, national award that annually recognizes USDF members, who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to his or her local area or region.

Lois Heyerdahl was an influential trainer, judge, and dressage instructor in the Midwestern United States. Lois taught clinics across the country from Introductory to Grand Prix, through 2011. In 1977, she began her judging career in the first United States Equestrian Team (USET) learner-judge program. She was a Senior Judge in Dressage, a candidate for the US Equestrian Team from 1979 to 1983, and a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. Lois trained seven horses to Grand Prix, four of them from start to finish, and was top ten in all FEI levels with her horses Silhouette and Vertex.

Along with her other accomplishments, Lois was a founding member of the Wisconsin Dressage and Combined Training Association. Her determination to promote dressage was demonstrated every day and she remained a USDF member up to the year of her passing, in 2012. Her contributions to dressage remain alive and well within the members of the dressage community who were fortunate enough to train and work under her.

Winnie Heiney-Duncan has been an asset to her local dressage community, and to the mission and values of USDF, for over thirty years. Winnie is an active member of the Oregon Dressage Society (ODS), having served as an officer and board member, and was one of the founding members of the Cascade Combined Training Club. In 2011, in honor of her contributions and unending support, ODS established the Winnie Heiney-Duncan Junior/Young Rider Scholarship, which has helped numerous young riders reach their goals in dressage.

Winnie and her horse, Trail Bender, were inducted into the Oregon Dressage Society Hall of Fame in 2011, for her well known freestyles to rag times tunes. In addition to receiving her Technical Delegate license in 1970, Winnie has served as the Region 6 Technical Delegate Coordinator, Region 6 Youth Coordinator, and as a volunteer at the Junior/Young Rider Region 6 Championship Show. She has also earned her USDF Certificate and USDF Diploma through the USDF University Program, in recognition for her dedication to continuing education, and received her Master's Challenge- 3 ^rd Level Rider Award in 2000.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.