In 2021, Roberta Williams presents the Albers Award perpetual trophy to Region 9 chef d’équipe Benjamin Pfabe. Named in memory of longtime Region 1 chef the late Patsy Albers, the award is presented annually to the dressage chef who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit shown by Albers over the years.
In 2010 Patsy Albers (right) holds the award bearing her name.
“The Albers Award,” is named in honor of long time USDF Region 1 Chef d’Equipe and supporter and good friend, Patsy Albers. The award is presented annually at the USDF North American Youth Dressage Championships to the dressage Chef d’Equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit that Patsy had shown throughout the years.
The award is open to all dressage Chefs d’Equipe, who can be nominated by any competitor or Chef d’Equipe by submitting a written explanation as to why that Chef deserves to win the Albers Award. The final selection is made by the USDF and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) staff, NAYC Management Team and the FEI Chief Dressage Steward.
In 2010 the first award was given out at NAJYRC (now NAYC). The inaugural award was bestowed on two chefs Jeremy Steinberg and Roz Kinstler. We picture some of the award winners here. A complete list can be found on the USDF website.
2013
Albers Award recipient Ed Lavallee and presenter Lisa Gorretta. Susan Stickle photo.
2014
Region 1 chef d’equipe Debbie DelGiorno (right) receives the 2014 Albers Award from Jeremy Steinberg. Karl Lawrence photo.
2015
Leslie Steele (center) receives the Albers Award from Adequan’s Allyn Mann and USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch. Karl Lawrence photo.
2016
Region 5 chef d’équipe Joan Clay (third from left) receives the Albers Award from USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee chair Roberta Williams, and US Equestrian Federation CEO William Moroney. Susan Stickle photo
2017
Region 3 dressage chef d’équipe Sue Bender (second from left) receives the Albers Award from USDF Education Department manager Kathie Robertson, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee chair Roberta Williams, and US Equestrian’s Hannah Niebielski. PHOTOGRAPHY/US EQUESTRIAN
2018
Region 4 dressage chef d’équipe Martin Kuhn receives the Albers Award from USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee chair Roberta Williams
2019
Region 7 chef d’équipe Alison Burt-Jacobs (center) receives the Albers Award—named in memory of longtime Region 1 chef Patsy Albers—from USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch and US Equestrian dressage youth coach George Williams. Meg McGuire photo.
USDF recognizes achievement for riders age 50 & over through the Adequan®/USDF Vintage Cup program, & riders age 60 & over through the Master's Challenge Award!
