Fran Kehr of Magnolia, TX, received the sixth annual “USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award” at the Great American/USDF Region 9 Championships held in Katy, TX, October 9-12, 2014. She received a $5,000 award for demonstrating adherence to sound dressage principles and the ability to communicate these principles so that students develop themselves and their horses in a logical, progressive and humane way up through the levels.

Kehr, a USEF “S” judge and owner of Windy Knoll Farm, says, “I am delighted and humbled to be the 2014 recipient of The Dressage Foundation's Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award. My goal is to continue to teach and train students to preserve the high integrity and principles of dressage.”

Fran will be using the funds for additional training in Florida during the winter season, along with attending the USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference in January.

The Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award was established at The Dressage Foundation in 2009 by Meg Flemming. 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 a reputation for honesty, integrity, and community service.