The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced that Sally Davenport and Kelby Barranco have been named as the recipients of the 2013 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award. The award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF's mission.
As the winner, Sally will be presented with a perpetual trophy, established by Lisa Gorretta, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and will receive a “keeper” trophy.
Sally, of Scituate, MA, has made major contributions as a volunteer to dressage on the national, regional, and local level. Since returning to New England in 2008, Sally has served on the board of the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) and been responsible for NEDA's continuing education programs. Since taking the reins of their continuing education, Sally has organized and administrated numerous USDF “L” Program sessions, in order to educate and train future judges to fill a growing regional and national need. Each of these programs have been heavily subscribed and very successful by not only program participants, but also by the overwhelming number of auditors attending each program to further their own dressage education.
In addition to her tireless work on organizing these programs, Sally is also preparing to start a USEF ‘r' Program soon. All of these training programs are a complex undertaking, with numerous sessions taking place over a year or more, that include classroom activities, instructors and trainers, demo riders, meal accommodations, arrangements for practice judging at recognized shows, and testing. Sally's can-do attitude and her dedication to dressage and dressage education embody all of the best qualities of a volunteer for our sport.
"Sally has made a unique contribution to USDF's mission clearly for the education, but also for the volunteers that help her with each program. She is tireless, devoted, and incredibly competent to take on anything she has an interest to organize and run," stated Lois Yukins, “L” Program Committee Chair."
Kelby Barranco of Boynton Beach, FL, has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by the USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed both nationally and locally to USDF and the sport of dressage. As the winner, Kelby will be presented with a perpetual trophy, donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray, which is permanently on display in the Roemer/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and will receive a “keeper” trophy.
Kelby a sixteen-year-old para-equestrian, already has many years of service as a volunteer at USDF-recognized competitions under his belt. In 2013 alone, he dedicated over 750 hours of volunteer service at competitions including the Wellington Classic Dressage, Gold Coast Dressage, and International Horse Sport shows. His volunteer work was not only a tremendous help in keeping the shows running smoothly, but has also been a major part of his life skills work. Kelby has assisted show management in every aspect, from helping as a ring steward to directing traffic. This year, Kelby's favorite volunteer position was a quarantine assignment at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, supervising Silvia Rizzo's horse, Donnerbube 2, for six weeks while she was competing in the World Dressage Masters. This assignment required a high level of attention and dedication, in which Kelby excelled. Kelby was nominated for the Youth Volunteer of the Year award by Robyn Weston of Region 2.
“Kelby makes a unique contribution to education, recognition of achievement, and the promotion of dressage. He is a classified Para Level II rider and a wonderful ambassador for the para-dressage community and for the USDF.” stated Weston.
The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Kelby for his passion for horses and for dressage. The committee wholeheartedly commends Kelby for his dedication to dressage and the ability to be a positive role model for other youth, through exceptional volunteerism.
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