The United States Dressage Federation’s (USDF) Youth Executive Board is pleased to announce the winners of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarships for the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. This year’s winners are Ryan Michelle Eskridge, Jillian Kemenosh, Katherine Greene and Shari Wolke. Applicants are judged on such qualities as participation in USDF or dressage-related activities, written communication skills, desire to learn, ability to utilize knowledge, and the manner in which they plan to share the knowledge learned at the convention.

Four scholarships of up to $1,000 are given out annually to help with the expenses associated with attending the annual convention.

Ryan Michelle Eskridge, 18, from Charlotte, NC, was a member of the Region 1 Young Rider Team in 2006 and 2007. Eskridge is a member of the National Spanish Honors Society. She volunteers for the Horse Rescue Society and Operation Christmas Child. Eskridge is a very dedicated rider who wants to use her experience at the convention to learn more about the sport, learn about the future of dressage and become more involved in USDF.

Jillian Kemenosh, 17, from Haddonfield, NJ, competed at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Junior Dressage Championships at the Festival of Champions in Gladstone, NJ, finishing 10th. Kemenosh was also a member of the Bronze medal-team at the 2007 USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, and came in ninth individually. Kemenosh is involved in a community service organization that helps various causes and also volunteers weekly at the Atlantic Riding Center for the Handicapped. Kemenosh plans to share her experience at convention with her local Group Member Organization (GMO) by delivering a presentation at their local meeting.

Katherine Greene, 18, from Chittenango, NY, is an honor student inducted into the National Honors Society last year. She is currently riding training and first level and attended her first USDF Region 8 Youth Team Championship this year. Greene would like to use the knowledge she gains from the convention to better understand USDF and learn how she can be involved. She is looking to the convention for information that will help guide her choices regarding college and her future with horses.

Shari Wolke, 20, from Lansing, MI, is a first level rider who competes at USDF-recognized shows and enters the USDF Youth Art Contest every year. Wolke is a member of the Michigan State University Horseman’s Association and is a member of the Michigan State University Polo Team. Wolke would like to share her experiences at the convention with her local GMO and the Michigan State University Horseman’s Association. She also looks forward to meeting new people who can further her knowledge of dressage.

Funds for the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship have been raised by the USDF Youth Executive Board through the annual Youth Executive Board Silent Auction held at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. The USDF Youth Executive Board is presently accepting donations for this year's auction. If you would like to make a donation, or for further information about youth programs at USDF, please contact Senior Programs and Education Coordinator, Sharon Vander Ziel, at (859) 971-7047 or via e-mail [email protected].