The 2021 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention is quickly approaching! Here are a few things to look forward to in December.
Less Conflict, More Forums
As we know, many of our volunteers and convention attendees have varied interests and responsibilities, which have resulted in some tough decisions having to be made about which meetings to attend. No more! This year’s schedule features no conflicts, with the exception of the concurrently running regional meetings. The years of having to choose one session over another are a thing of the past, in large part due to incorporating the USDF Council Forums. Replacing the antiquated “open meeting” concept, these forums allow attendees to hear from all interrelated committees, provide an opportunity for more meaningful and informed discussions, and present a more encompassing picture of USDF and its trajectory to attendees.
No Fee, No Travel, No Worries!
Yet again, the annual convention will be held virtually utilizing the Zoom platform, which removes several barriers – travel costs, time away, busy work schedules- that often prevent interested equestrians from attending. This year, anyone curious to learn more about USDF and the direction of dressage in the US can access all that convention has to offer from any computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Also, for the second year in a row, convention is free for all to attend- simply register online to receive access links to the meetings.
Meet the Presidential Candidates
2021 will be a big election year, with a total of seven open positions, including the position of USDF President. To help the Board of Governors make an informed decision, USDF is hosting a ‘Meet the Presidential Candidates’ session, in which outgoing USDF President Lisa Gorretta and Nominating Committee Chair Linda Mendenhall detail the position and introduce the candidates. The session will also include a question and answer session, allowing attendees a chance to ask the candidates about their goals and visions for the future of USDF.
Team USA Olympic and Paralympic Open Forum
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic postponing the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics to 2021, our elite athletes navigated a new frontier of competition. Never before, in Olympic history, have the games been rescheduled, and with additional changes to quarantines, safety procedures, and travel, our Olympians had many new experiences to manage before they even began battling for medals. The US Dressage Silver Medal Olympic and Bronze Medal Paralympic Teams are invited to discuss their time in Tokyo, and what it takes to achieve these high-performance competition levels.
Return of the Salute Gala
This year, Friday night of the convention will feature the return of the Salute Gala, albeit in a new virtual format. The evening will feature a special tribute to the Tokyo Olympians, Paralympians, and US Officials and, as always, we will celebrate the recipients of the USDF Lifetime Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Breeder of Distinction, and Rider Awards. Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of these deserving individuals.
