Photographs by Jennifer O. Bryant and Bruce Lawrie
HOME BASE: The Sheraton New Orleans 
LOCAL GUIDES: Mardi Gras-masked members of the Southern Eventing and Dressage Association staffed a “tourist info” table 
AND ON THE SPOONS…: Impromptu accompaniment at the NOLA convention welcome party 
CROCODILE ROCK: USDF members ham it up at the welcome party at Michaul’s 
REGION 7 CONTINGENT: A fire alarm seems to go off during every USDF convention. Californians Tracy Underwood, Laurie Daniel-Smith, Melissa Creswick, Ellen Corob, and Paula Langan gather for an impromptu photo while waiting for the all-clear. 
BOARD OF GOVERNORS: USDF officers and delegates prepare for the annual governance session 
THE USEF CONNECTION: Jayne Ayers, chair of the US Equestrian Federation Dressage Committee, addresses the USDF membership at the USEF DC open forum 
REMEMBERING LONDON: Panelists Gary Rockwell, Akiko Yamazaki, and Steffen Peters with moderator Jennifer Bryant, Olympics journalist and editor of USDF Connection 
THE C WORD: Freedom Health’s John Hall discussed ways to minimize horses’ risk of colic 
JOINT-HEALTH EXPERT: Dr. Victoria Maxwell of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, makers of Adequan, lectured on degenerative joint disease in horses 
A DECADE OF SERVICE: USDF president George Williams (left) presents executive director Stephan Hienzsch with a plaque and a watch 
WE’LL MISS YOU: Recognition for longtime Region 8 director Fern Feldman, who stepped down at the end of 2012 
GRATEFUL CONSTITUENTS: Region 8 delegates salute Fern Feldman 
LOOK WHAT I WON! Potomac Valley Dressage Association delegate Ninja Nissen shows off her BOG door prize, a GMO basket 
BIG, UM, BEADS: USDF treasurer Steve Schubert’s got ’em—perhaps to celebrate the uneventful passage of the USDF budget 
SO MANY CHOICES: Silent-auction shoppers examine the many offerings. The auction benefits the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship fund. 
TREASURED TRADITION: GMO baskets on display 
MARDI GRAS SPIRIT: Masks, beads, and boas were everywhere at the 2012 Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet 
COSTUMED REVELERS: Festive gala attendees 
MAKING MERRY: More costumed gala-goers 
FOR ALL AGES: Coordinated costumes 
DRESSAGE LEGEND: Olympian, trainer, and coach Michael Poulin at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony 
FAMILY: The Poulin clan, in NOLA for patriarch Michael’s (center) Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame induction, gets into the spirit 
WE’VE GOT SPIRIT: USDF staffers (plus Adequan rep Brenda Bolts, front row left) show off their dressage foam fingers 
FAIRY QUEEN: Region 7’s Melissa Creswick shows off her wings and wand 
AWARDS TABLE: Congratulations to the winners in the 2012 Great American/USDF Regional Championships and Breeders’ Championship Series competitions 
RAMSAY GRANT WINNER: Olympian Lisa Wilcox (left) accepts The Dressage Foundation’s 2012 Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant from Anne Ramsay 
TEAM RAVEL: On hand for Ravel’s Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame induction were (from left) USDF president George Williams, USDF Historical Recognition Committee chair Anne Moss, rider Steffen Peters and wife Shannon, owner Akiko Yamazaki and daughters, and veterinarian Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez 
DRESSAGE BREEDER OF THE YEAR: Luitpold Pharmaceuticals’ Allyn Mann (left) and Hilltop Farm (MD) owner Jane MacElree (third from left) present the Adequan/USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year award and the Hilltop Farm Trophy to Richard Freeman of Oak Hill Ranch LLC (LA) 
DSHB BREEDER OF THE YEAR: Rider/handler Brendan Curtis and owner Maryanna Haymon (second and third from left) of Marydell Farm (NC) accept the Stallion Expo Trophy as the Adequan/USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Breeder of the Year. Haymon also received the Traveling Trot trophy for her Hanoverian colt, David Bowie MF (by Don Principe), the 2012 DSHB highest-scoring champion. 
GRAND PRIX HORSE OF THE YEAR: The Colonel Thackeray Trophy went to Legolas, owned by Akiko Yamazaki and ridden by Steffen Peters (second and third from right) 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: USDF “L” faculty member Trenna Atkins (center) with USDF president George Williams and trophy presenter Lisa Gorretta 
YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Catherine Chamberlain (AZ) (right) with USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Committee members Roz Kinstler and Roberta Williams 
MATERIALE CHAMPION: Rider John Dingle (center) accepts the Sunshine Sport Horse Association Trophy and the Four- and Five-Year-Old Mare Adequan/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year award for Ballerina DMV, owned by Leroy Fuller and John Sharpe 
ADULT AMATEUR GRAND PRIX CHAMPION: D’Re Stergios (CA) with the Pirouette bronze 
TRAINING LEVEL HORSE OF THE YEAR: Owner/rider Anneliese Vogt-Harber (GA) (second from left) accepts the Adequan/USDF award for Hot Black Chocolate (by Hotline) 
I-II HORSE OF THE YEAR: Owner/rider Anna Whit Watkins (TX) (second from left) accepts for Cipriani (who tied with Rohmero)
