The Medallion Club

Austin Dressage Unlimited“Medallion Club”Members inducted in 2008:

USDF BRONZE MedalistsJanet Askins Vicky Carroll Sue McCarty Jenna Stern Carol Riazzi
USDF SILVER Medalists Bill Askins Lynn Cariker Jill Cowie Cean EmbreyKate FitzPatrick Bobbie Paulk Judy Ritchie Lori Snider
USDF GOLD Medalists Barbie Piccinni Carol Schmickrath Nancy Fair

Medallion Club members received a crystal and bead dressage stock tie pincustom designed and made for this ADU Rider Achievement program by Valerie Young.

USDF Region 9 Report

In September of this year, Austin Dressage Unlimited (ADU) was formed. A subchapter of San Antonio's GMO, Alamo Dressage Association , ADU has grown quickly to over 80 members. Sixteen co-chairs man the working positions of the education-oriented organization. Member Cean Embrey created ADU University which offers a positive way to monitor and grow one's riding skills within an annual structure. Students will pair up with ADU-approved "dressage mentors" and declare their riding and educational goals for the year, pledging to follow one of five ADU University training tracks. The student's activities will be recorded in a provided journal. Monthly evaluations will be performed between the student and mentor. A variety of pre-determined requirements must be met for completion of this program.

Self-responsiblity and dedication will reflect in ADU end-of-the-year awards. Awards are to be determined by a rider's advancement within their own right rather than against each other. Folks who achieve USDF medals by year's end will be honored as well. Other riding disciplines (such as eventing, driving and sporthorse versatility) which benefit from dressage training are welcome within the umbrella of the organization via the use of liasons. There is also a liason for breeders. ADU offers a multi-level show format (formal, informal, recognized). For more information: http://austindressageunlimited.blogspot.com/ or http://www.alamodressage.org/index.htm.

Co-Chairs and Liasons For ADU

oversight trish phelps and nancy fair
education carol schmickrath and barbie picinni
membership kay skillern and robin whittenbaugh
adv., PR and fundraising kate fitzpatrick and laurie virkstis
treasurer ingrid edisen and robin whittenbaugh
shows lori snider and karen holmes
rider achievement cean embrey and valerie young
social events pam floyd and judy gibney

liasons:
eventing anna beeson
breeding catherine powell
driving rachel steen

ADU party an overwhelming success!

On Nov. 8th, hosted by Barbie Piccini's White Fences Equestrian Center, the ADU kick off party was a marvelous success. We increased our membership by at least another fifty percent! Photos can be seen at http://www.laurievirkstis.com/ website. Cean Embrey announced her brainchild of ADU University to encourage education, experimentation and advancement through the levels. Carol Schmickrath served as a master of ceremonies and Bill and Janet Askins attended. Bill is current president of our parent GMO organization Alamo Dressage Association. Kate Fitzpatrick's organizing of the silent auction netted us over $2200! The DeWayne Davis Band was extraordinarily good and the food provided on behalf of a kind member's contribution of a full catered dinner by Papacito's Restaurant proved to be great too. Next on the agenda, the creation of a fun calendar for 2009 and in Jan. a free viewing of the Olympic tapes at a member's house for more learning.