Lexington, KY (September 11, 2013) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Charles de Kunffy and Anne Gribbons will be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 7, 2013, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, KY. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on individuals and horses that have made outstanding contributions to dressage in the United States.
         Charles de Kunffy has become known as a lifelong educator, prolific author, and charismatic instructor, and has had a resounding impact on dressage in America. For more than fifty years, he has dedicated his life to teaching classical dressage and sharing his passion for training and riding with horses and riders from all walks of life. His work as a national and international teacher, lecturer, and clinician has taken him throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Charles has published over seven books, including two autobiographies, as well as contributed his expertise to publications such as Dressage and Combined Training, The Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, and USDF Connection.  A retired FEI “C” (now 3*) and USEF “S” Judge, Charles has also served in various roles for several groups, including the Training of Teachers of Tomorrow Trust, USDF “L” Education Program, and International Dressage Judges Club.

            USDF President George Williams said, “Charles is one of the most eloquent ambassadors of dressage in our lifetime. There is no doubt his writing and teachings will continue to inspire many more generations of dressage enthusiasts to come.”

Anne Gribbons has been a driving force in all facets of dressage in the United States. Her profound career has spanned over four decades and has made a considerable impact on the sport. During her time as an international rider, Anne represented the United States at the 1995 Pan American Games, in which the United States dressage team won the silver medal. She has also ridden and trained numerous horses to Grand Prix, including Kristall, Leonardo II, Tappan Zee, and Metallic, who was a member of the 1996 Olympic Bronze Medal Team. As an FEI 5* dressage judge, Anne has judged numerous CDIs, Olympic and Pan American trials, and FEI World Cup Finals. Anne's extensive involvement with USDF and USEF has resulted in the development of the American Dressage Pipeline, which was implemented during her tenure as USEF Dressage Technical Advisor and National Coach. She also served as a presenter for the 2010 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program and the 2011 Adequan/USDF National Symposium. In 2010, Anne was elected to serve as a member of the FEI Dressage Committee through 2013. Whether as a breeder, competitor, trainer, writer, or judge, Anne Gribbons has always been a strong advocate for dressage in the US.

USDF President George Williams said, “Anne has never stood still and is a fearless advocate for dressage in the US. She is a well rounded horsewoman, interested in all aspects of our sport, who has proven time and again that she lives and breathes dressage. Anne has been a major force in the development of dressage in our country."

For more information about the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at [email protected].

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.