The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grant.

Ruth Arvanette was a long-time USDF employee. She was instrumental in implementing many USDF programs still in place today, and she especially enjoyed the USDF Annual Convention. Ruth passed away on March 21, 2000, after a battle with cancer. The grant named in her honor enables three USDF Group-Member Organization (GMO) members to attend the Annual Convention each year by providing funds to cover their costs of attendance.

This year's recipients of the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grant are Joann Messersmith of Parker, SD (Dakota Dressage & Eventing); Sarah Blanchard of Hilo, HI (Hawaii Isle Dressage & CTA); and Scarlett Fahrenson of Sonoita, AZ (Southern Arizona Dressage Association).

The Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grants will allow these three USDF GMO members to attend the 2005 Annual Convention in Burbank, CA, November 30 - December 4.

USDF GMOs are groups of individuals at the local level who share a common interest in dressage. These "grassroots" organizations are the very foundation of the United States Dressage Federation. When you become a member of a GMO, you automatically become a member of USDF. There are nearly 130 GMOs in every one of the ten USDF regions, ranging from as few as 25 members to several thousand members.

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.