Tuesday, December 21, 2004

USDF Honors Kay Meredith -
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Kay Meredith’s leadership of the United States Dressage Federation provided its foundation in the critical early years. She was the second USDF Vice President, and served as President from 1977-1982. She also chaired the nominating and scheduling committees, co-chaired the Historical Committee, and developed the first USDF Dressage Instructor’s Directory.

Kay’s contributions were invaluable in the birth of the organization. As a founding member of USDF, she attended the Organization’s first meeting in February, 1973 in Lincoln, Nebraska where she was a delegate from the Ohio Valley DCTA. Kay is very proud of having been a part of the early years. According to Kay, “We don’t realize today what it would be like without USDF, US Equestrian or the US Eventing Associations. We needed an organization for the betterment of and to stand up for Dressage to make it equitable.

She and Executive Director Lowell Boomer certainly did stand up for USDF, by attending many AHSA meetings to try to convince the AHSA people to pay attention to USDF and to take the organization seriously. Kay and Lowell continued to push and refused to go away. She was very pleased when AHSA started to send its people to USDF Annual Conventions, which led to significant cooperation between the two organizations.

As a volunteer, officer, and group member from the beginning, Kay believes that her greatest contribution to the development of the USDF was that she was willing to spend the time to go to meetings and be sure the work of the people got done. “I went out and tried to understand what was needed in different parts of the country. Kay said. “As President, especially, I gained an understanding that what the people in the Northwest need are different than the needs of people in the Midwest and the South.

Many Important programs were initiated during Kay’s terms as a USDF Officer, such as the Violet Hopkins National Seminars for Dressage Instructors, the All-Breeds Awards Program. The Judges Council, led to the L Education Program for Judge Training, and the Insilco U.S. Dressage Championships, the first Head to head National Championships, started in 1981.

Besides her USDF Work, Kay has had an outstanding career as a rider, instructor, and US Equestrian “S” Judge. She earned a Team Gold medal for the U.S. at the 1993 Pan American Games, and was honored as the AHSA Horsewoman of the Year in 1976.

According to her good friend, Anne Gribbons who worked closely with Kay during the USDF’s early years, “Kay was a much admired rider who inspired people about Dressage. She was very American and very approachable, and still kept her humbleness. In the early days, having a top Grand Prix rider as President helped USDF immensely.”

“Kay also has a wonderful sense of humor and you could die laughing from her humor.” Said Lowell Boomer. She has a treasure trove of witty, but wise sayings like; if you’re going out to pick blueberries, don’t forget to take a bucket.”

“Kay is also an accomplished Horsewoman,” continued Boomer, “An effective administrator, and a lot better looking than the President who served during his term in office.”

Kay was at the helm of the USDF near the beginning, guiding its course, strongly supporting it’s efforts, keeping it afloat. Much of what the organization has accomplished over the past 31 years is due to her leadership, persistence, and creativity. I am honored to present the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award to a person who has and outstanding career in Dressage, Kay Meredith.

Sam Barish, USDF President - The 2004 USDF Salute Gala-12-02-04

Related Links
USDF.org