2024 USDF Convention
By: Ruby and Zoe Lewis
Zoe, my sister, and I attended our first USDF Annual Convention this past December 2024. It was a wonderful experience! I enjoyed everything, from the lectures to meeting dressage people from around the country. Highlights for me included Lilo Fore’s youth lecture. She provided the judge’s perspective at a horse show. I know the judges are there to help me improve, but hearing her emphasize that– helped!! She also gave great advice for riding the best test you can on that day and went through a dressage test with her commentary. Another highlight was Coach Sandoval and Stephany. They were relatable speakers and provided an interesting lecture on the positives and negatives of virtual coaching and the importance of learning to be a good coach and words matter! I think my favorite lecture and one that truly stays with me was given by George Williams, Reese Koffler-Stanfield, and Eliza Sydnor Romm about The Future of the Sport. As a junior rider with ambitious goals to be a dressage trainer and currently working with my mom in this business, it was fascinating to hear about how to move forward in a more healthy and balanced way as a trainer, facility owner, and rider. It was nice to know that everyone has similar challenges. This lecture covered the ups and downs of running a facility, examples using different ways of thinking to create a liveable profit through horses, and considerations of working student opportunities. I agree the future is hopeful when issues can be identified and addressed. I am excited to continue to be a part of the horse industry and my future in the industry. Zoe has some more USDF Annual Convention takeaways from her perspective, which follow:
Ruby and I both agree on the highlights from the convention. I also appreciated the lecture about where to find the rules and the process of how new rules are put in place. During the youth meeting, in addition to Lilo Fore, I appreciated Sarah Delahanty and Sarah Hollander presenting the information youth need to know to compete in the specific youth division classes through the USDF, USEF, and FEI. I also enjoyed connecting with fellow youth from around the country and would love the opportunity to meet even more youth at future conventions and have some time to casually talk together next time. Finally, I was so thankful to have the opportunity with Roz Kinstler and my sister, Ruby, to present to local dressage organizations I learned a great deal presenting and I appreciated that the local USDF organizations are looking for how to get youth involved. In our presentation, we suggested improving communications (in line with safe sport, of course) and partnering with breed organizations or US Pony Club to expand reach to involve more youth and let them know about dressage.
I love the sport of dressage because of the details and consideration of the horse in training and also every horse and rider can improve with dressage training.
Overall, the convention was a wonderful experience, and I would undoubtedly attend again!
