Lexington, KY (November 1, 2024) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is thrilled to announce Carol Lavell and William ‘Bill’ C. Woods as the 2024 Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame inductee and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, respectively.  Both of these honorees will be recognized during the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet, held during the 2024 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, in Houston, Texas.

Carol Lavell (Formerly of Ashville, NC) – Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame Inductee 

Established to honor and preserve the achievements of the people and horses that made outstanding contributions to, and represent the most influential and dedicated within, our sport, the late Carol Lavell epitomized exactly what this honor is meant to recognize.  Lavell is best known as the partner of the famous dressage mount Gifted, who already holds a spot in the USDF Hall of Fame (inducted in 1997).  Together, the pair medaled in events ranging from the Olympics, to the North American Dressage Championships, and World Equestrian Games in the early 1990s.  Not only was Lavell a trailblazer in the dressage arena, she was a leader in inspiring others to not only work toward their own dreams, but to help pave the road for others along the way.  For over two decades, Lavell and her family helped countless riders through their financial support of The Dressage Foundation's grants.  Through this generosity, she aided thousands of amateurs, youth, young professionals, judges, instructors, and many others.  Her support of these grants didn't just help others during her lifetime, as her generosity has enabled The Dressage Foundation to ensure that grants from these funds will be awarded for many years into the future, cementing Lavell’s long-term legacy as a leader in our sport.  Tragically, Lavell passed away in 2023.  However, her family members will be in Houston to enjoy the celebration of her life and to accept her posthumous Hall of Fame induction on her behalf.  USDF is proud to honor her life by inducting her into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame.

USDF President George Williams had this to say about Lavell, “With Carol Lavell being inducted into the  Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, all I can say is that it has been twenty seven years since her wonderful Olympic horse Gifted was inducted.  Many will agree it is past time that we honor all that Carol did and gave to dressage during her lifetime.”

William ‘Bill’ C. Woods (Ocala, FL) – Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Recipients of the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award are long-time USDF members, who have demonstrated a lifelong dedication to USDF and its mission through faithful volunteerism, attendance at annual meetings, and overall service to the organization, which makes William ‘Bill’ C. Woods a perfect candidate. While Woods is now best known as a trainer and judge, who has instructed and judged in 43 states and five foreign countries, some may not realize the influence he had over the development of what has now become the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program.  During his seven years as chair of the USDF Council of Instructors and Trainers, he was largely responsible for pushing to fruition USDF’s program for instructor certification and the beginning of USDF’s program of annual National Symposia.  On his relationship with USDF, Woods has been there since its inception. When the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) became a charter GMO at USDF’s founding meeting in 1973, it was Woods who attended the first USDF convention as NEDA’s official delegate. Woods has been a pioneer in this sport and is always giving back to the community and helping others to understand dressage. His work to establish a way to certify instructors has impacted dressage instructors/trainers to this very day, and will continue to influence the sport into the future. For these reasons, and many others, it is USDF’s distinguished pleasure to recognize him with the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award.

Regarding Woods, USDF President George Williams added, “I’m a strong believer in the importance of remembering and recognizing those whose efforts in the early years of USDF laid the groundwork for our current programs.  Bill Woods is one of those foresighted individuals.  He was instrumental in the early development of the major USDF educational program geared towards instructors.”

To learn more about the USDF Members of Distinction, USDF Lifetime Achievement Award, Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, or other awards and recognition available, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact [email protected].

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 [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.