The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kariel Swanfeldt of Ayer, MA, has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery and sponsored by the USDF Youth Executive Board. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to USDF and dressage.

As the recipient of this award, Swanfeldt’s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy, housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, which was donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray. Swanfeldt will also receive a $500 scholarship provided from funds raised through the Youth Executive Board Silent Auction, held annually at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, and a $250 gift certificate donated by The Paddock Saddlery.

In 2008-2009, Swanfeldt volunteered over 200 hours at numerous events, including the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Fall Festival, the NEDA Year End Awards Committee, the Equine Affaire, the NEDA Spring Dressage Show and several NEDA symposiums. Sue McKeown, on behalf of the NEDA board, nominated Swanfeldt for the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, based on her phenomenal “work ethic and sense of duty.” Swanfeldt has been a great asset to NEDA and a role model to her peers, and as McKeown explained, “The type of work that she volunteers for is not necessarily the face in front of the crowd, or the job that will get her noticed by the clinician; however, it is critical work that needs to be done and Kariel performs it consistently with a pleasant personality and a willing heart to help.”

For more information about the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award or the USDF Youth Executive Board Silent Auction, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at [email protected].