Paints to be honored with All-Breed Award at USDF convention

FORT WORTH, Texas-The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will hand out 19 awards to 10 American Paint Horses with its All-Breed Award during a special ceremony Dec. 14 as part of its five-day annual convention in Portland, Ore.

During the convention, which will be held Dec. 11-15 at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower, awards will be given for outstanding performances in events governed by USDF and supported by the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). More than 35 breeds compete for the USDF award every year.

"These horses have really accomplished something special at this competition," said Linda Knowles, APHA awards coordinator. "This award honors a horse's track record throughout the entire year, and these Paints rose to the challenge."

The USDF All-Breed Awards require that scores be earned at one of the more than 750 USA Equestrian/USDF-recognized competitions that were held throughout the country from Oct. 1, 2001, through Sept. 30, 2002. To be eligible for these awards, a minimum of eight scores must have been earned from at least four recognized competitions and from four different judges. These requirements help to ensure that scores are truly representative of a horse's overall performance and not the result of one outstanding show or favorable judge.

An award is given for nearly every type and level of dressage, according to Knowles, including: Training Level, First Level, Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level, Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Grand Prix. A Paint Horse must be registered with both APHA and USDF to be eligible for the award. The owner of the performing Paint Horse also must be a member of both organizations.

The word dressage is derived from a French term meaning "training." It is not only a method of schooling, but also a competitive equestrian sport. Dressage is considered "classical training," because it uses gymnastic exercises-a series of movements and figures-which have been studied and developed for centuries. Once an activity of royalty, today dressage has evolved into a discipline and competitive sport accessible to all horses and riders.

For more information about these and other awards for which Paint Horses may compete, contact Linda Knowles at (817) 834-2742, extension 245, or by e-mail at lknowles@apha.com. For more information about the USDF Annual Convention, visit www.usdf.org.

Following is the list of American Paint Horses receiving 2002 All-Breed Awards and how they ranked among other Paints.