For Immediate Release
Contact: Anne Lee(402) 434-8550

(Lincoln, Nebraska) March 1998
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has appointed Pat Hart of Fullerton, California as Region Seven (7) Director, representing dressage members from the states of California, Hawaii and Nevada.

The Regional Director is a volunteer position designed to serve as the official contact for all matters related to USDF affairs within the region. The Director is responsible for disseminating information to that particular area. The Regional Directors conducts regional meetings, oversees regional activities and recommends regional coordinators for appointment to work for that region. The Directors and four officers make up the USDF Executive Board, therefore, a thorough understanding of the memberships local and regional needs and a vision for the future of dressage and USDF is required.

USDF President, Ellin Dixon Miller of Florida made the appointment following the USDF Annual Convention in December where the USDF delegates voted in a new bylaw which allows a Region the procedure to recall their Regional Director, which is a three year position. After the bylaw was voted in, the delegates of Region 7 voted to recall their current Director. This vote set in motion the procedure for the President to appoint a Director for the remainder of the term, which is up for election in December 1998.

As a former operations manager for a Fortune 500 company, Pat Hart brings to USDF a strong management background. She also volunteers her time as the treasurer for the National Charity League and owns and rides a Holsteiner gelding in the sport of dressage. "I am committed to the advancement of dressage. My goal for Region 7 is to work as a cohesive unit with USDF to further the education of our members and provide a vehicle towards this education," says Pat.

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation made up of more than 36,000 members throughout all 50 states and serves as the national voice of the dressage community. Through volunteer directors, committee members and an office staff in Lincoln, Nebraska, USDF promotes dressage, provides education, and rewards excellence in dressage competition performance. Membership in USDF is achieved by joining one of the more than 130 affiliated dressage groups, or by joining USDF directly to receive additional benefits of membership.