November 18, 2011 - Ashley Hammill, San Antonio, TX, received the third annual “USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award” at the Great American/USDF Region 9 Championships held in Katy, TX, November 3-6, 2011. She received a $5,000 award for demonstrating outstanding teaching methodology in dressage.

Meg Flemming (TX), originator of the award, said that the Selection Committee chose Ashley as the recipient because "of her strong showing of a sound teaching methodology, with logically developing exercises in the videoed lessons. Very suitable corrections were made in a positive, encouraging way. Horses were happy, students were happy and progress was clearly made over each 30-minute lesson."

The Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award was established at The Dressage Foundation in 2009. The purpose of the award is to showcase and honor excellence in dressage teachers. Dressage instructors are nominated by students or peers, and then submit an application that is reviewed by a prominent Selection Committee. In addition to being a USDF Region 9 member in good standing and a Region 9 resident, the recipient must also demonstrate adherence to sound dressage principles and have the ability to communicate these principles of training so that students develop themselves and their horses in a logical, progressive, and humane way up through the levels. The recipient should also have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and community service.

Bess Reineman, Region 9 Director said, "This award, a long time in the making, will hopefully continue to serve our Region and its instructors for years to come. We feel the importance behind it will elevate the Region's instructors to strive for excellence in teaching, with harmony for both the rider and horse.

“The Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award would not be possible without the dedicated support of donors, year after year,” said Melissa Filipi, Development Director for The Dressage Foundation. “These donors have provided the ongoing support necessary for this $5,000 award. Everything that we do at the Foundation is possible because of our donors, and for that we are very grateful. We wish to say thank you to each and every one of them!”

The Dressage Foundation provides stewardship services for this award. For more information, visit the Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award page.