July 1, 2010 (Lexington, KY) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that a new perpetual trophy donated by an anonymous patron will be awarded at this year's USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior /Young Riders Dressage Championships at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) to be held July 27-August 1, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
          "The Albers Award," is named in honor of long time USDF Region 1 Chef d'Equipe, supporter and good friend, Patsy Albers. The award will be presented annually at the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior /Young Riders Dressage Championships to the dressage Chef d'Equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit that Patsy has shown throughout the years. The award is open to all of the dressage Chefs d'Equipe to be nominated by any competitor or Chef d'Equipe by submitting a written explanation as to why that chef deserves to win the Albers Award. The final selection will be made by the USDF and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) staff, NAJYRC Management Team and the FEI Chief Dressage Steward.
          The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for Junior and Young Riders, age 14-21. Teams are invited from the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to compete for team and individual medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the World Equestrian Games discipline of reining.

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 usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.