Lexington, KY – There is still time to contact your affiliate and submit a nomination for the USEF Youth Council and the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award. The deadline for USEF to receive nominations from the affiliates for the Youth Council is October 16, 2006, and the deadline for the USEF to receive nominations from the affiliates for the Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award is October 31, 2006. Both programs require that nominations be received by USEF from the USEF-recognized association.

The USEF Youth Council is designed to encourage and support existing affiliate youth programs. The goal will be to create the most varied board possible with members from each and every USEF national affiliate.

This first-ever council will be made up of youth members, 21 years of age and under, who must be active within their affiliate. Applicants should also have governance experience, which includes any leadership role in a youth organization. Terms will be for two years.

The Youth Council vision is to provide strong and creative youth leadership for all equestrian sport in the United States, which is inclusive of all USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines. The Youth Council will develop programs with the affiliates that will expand the base of young people contributing to the leadership of equestrian sport in the U.S.

The Youth Council mission is to create a genuine commitment to the safety and well-being of the horse and rider, regardless of the horse’s value or competition level. It will be charged with advancing the level of horsemanship across all disciplines throughout the U.S. and with generating interest between competitors and enthusiasts from all USEF breeds and disciplines. The first official meeting will take place at the USEF Annual Convention in January, 2007, and the first USEF Youth Conference will be held in 2008.

For more information on the USEF Youth Council, please contact Joyce Hamblin, Director of National Affiliates, via email at [email protected] or call 859-225-6939.

The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award is a new program designed for junior members who are current members of both the USEF and their recognized national affiliate. The youth candidates are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and their affiliate through the promotion of the horse. This person is to serve as a role model for their peers.

The program’s goal is designed to develop leaders in the equine industry from all breeds and disciplines. This program provides an opportunity for the USEF to give back to the outstanding youth members and recognize them for their achievements. The establishment of this program is far reaching and will benefit competitions, members, recognized associations and the USEF, as well as the applicants.

This new award is named after the Sportsman’s Charter in the front of the USEF Rule Book. The first presentation of the overall winner will take place at the Pegasus Awards Banquet at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2007. The award winner will receive a career opportunity workshop at the USEF national office, a trophy, a $1,000 scholarship to be paid to the educational program of their choice and a lifetime membership to USEF, valued at $2,500.

Recognized associations have been provided with the program parameters and will assist with the administration of the selection process. The association should select a nominee from each USEF district, region or zone. From that list, they will choose a national nominee. (The breeds and disciplines that do not have districts, regions or zones will choose a national nominee from their memberships). Each national nominee will receive a certificate of honor, lapel pin and exclusively designed hat from the USEF. The national recognized nominees will be submitted to the USEF National Affiliates Working Group as