Thirteen American Paint Horses to receive USDF awards

FORT WORTH, Texas—The United States Dressage Foundation (USDF) will recognize 13 American Paint Horses with 16 USDF All-Breed awards during its annual awards banquet to be held Dec. 6 at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, as part of USDF’s annual convention, Dec. 2-7.

Awards will be given for outstanding performances in events governed by USDF and supported by the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). More than 45 breeds compete for USDF awards each year.

“After reviewing the scores in past years and scores earned for 2003, each level and division elevated their scores,” said Linda Knowles, APHA show approval and awards coordinator. “It’s evident that the quality of the dressage Paint Horse is increasing.”

For a Paint Horse to be eligible for the all-breed awards, it must be registered with APHA and USDF, and the rider must be a member of both organizations.

The USDF ALL-Breed Awards require that scores be earned at one of the more than 750 US Equestrian Federation/USDF-recognized competitions that were held throughout the country from Oct. 1, 2002, to Sept. 30, 2003. 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 ensure that scores are representative of a horse’s overall performance, not the result of one outstanding show or favorable judge.

An award is given for nearly every type and level of dressage, including: Training Level, First Level, Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level, Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Grand Prix.

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 that Paint Horses may compete for, contact Linda Knowles at (817) 834-2742, extension 245, or e-mail her at lknowles@apha.com. For more information about the USDF Annual Convention, visit the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org.

For this year’s USDF All-Breed Awards, a new division was added—Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Division. Lacy Genovese, of College Station, Texas, and her Paint Horse Luckys Special Dee will receive an award. You can also visit www.usdf.org to find out information about DSHB.

Following is the list of American Paint Horses receiving 2003 all-breed awards and how they ranked among other Paints.