The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kristen Posner of Lexington, KY, has been selected as the first recipient of the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

This prestigious award, sponsored by the USDF Youth Executive Board, honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to the USDF and dressage.

In 2007, Posner volunteered at numerous events, including the Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association (MSEDA) Musical Freestyle Clinic with Cynthia Collins, the MSEDA Dressage at the Horse Park, the Paxton Farm CDI, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and the Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) Dressage Show. Posner serves on the MSEDA Awards Committee as their junior representative and is a member of the Georgetown College Equine Scholars. Her volunteer efforts began at a very young age, initially by handing out tests and ribbons at local dressage shows.

Posner's name will be engraved on a new perpetual trophy donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray. Posner will also receive a $500 Youth Convention Scholarship that is provided from funds raised at the Youth Executive Board Silent Auction held annually at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention.

For more information on the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award or to make a donation to the Silent Auction, contact the USDF Youth Liaison at (859) 971-2277 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Details are also available online at www.usdf.org.