I was very disappointed to receive my April edition of the USDF CONNECTION and find that the article on ODS was not there. I contacted the editor and she assured me it would appear in the May issue and that had been the plan all along. So by the time you read this column you will have seen the article most likely. I received the following press release through the USDF GMO Council recently. I think this is good news for members:

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce lower credit accumulations to earn a USDF University Program Diploma. New criteria for the program were approved at the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Orlando, FL, and take effect April 1, 2008.
Certificates for the USDF University Program will now be awarded at the following levels; USDF Certificate (15 credits), USDF Diploma (30 credits), USDF Bronze Diploma (45 credits - reduced from 60), USDF Silver Diploma (60 credits - reduced from 120), USDF Gold Diploma (75 credits - reduced from 180), and the two newly created levels of USDF Platinum Diploma (90 credits) and USDF Diamond Diploma (105 credits).
Under the new program requirements, all pre-registered attendees/auditors at any USDF approved program will receive USDF University Credits. In addition, participants in USDF Adult Clinics, Junior/Young Rider Clinics, Instructor Certification Workshops, “L” Program, and Sport Horse Seminars will now receive four credits for participating as opposed to the previous two.
Attendees at all off-campus university programs will still be required to pay a five dollar processing fee as in the past with credits being awarded as follows: one-half credit for a half-day program, one credit for a one-day program, and one credit for each additional day of a program.
Kathie Robertson, USDF Senior Programs and Education Coordinator, stated, “USDF is very pleased to be able to provide additional opportunities for our members to receive their diplomas and hope these changes within the program motivate them to continue their education and expand their knowledge.
Link to see ” How Many Credits Have I Earned Already”:
http://www.usdf.org/education/university/search.asp

I think it would be fun to know how many people in ODS have credits and diplomas. I checked mine to find I have accumulated 12 hours in the past couple of years so I should have a certificate soon. There are also course available for credit on line and there will be several opportunities this year to earn credits by auditing USDF Programs being held in our area. You can apply to have educational events your chapters put on made eligible for University Credits. For more information on any of this please contact your Region 6 Education Coordinator, Francy Haupt.

The ODS Board of Directors is travelling to Klamath Falls this month for our spring board meeting. There will also be a SHOW BIZ session and a Volunteer Training Session put on the same weekend. The board makes an effort to have at least one meeting (in addition to the annual meeting in Springfield) outside the major metropolitan area. Members are welcome to attend the Board Meetings. This spring our topics include the League Show Program (a continuing effort to improve it), designating and setting up ODS committees, setting goals to complete the updates for the Policy and Procedures Manual to go with the new by laws. I’m sure several other challenges and agenda items will come up before and at the meeting and will be reported to you in the next column.

In the meantime the dressage show season in Oregon is well under way. We in Central Oregon have been limited by weather in attending the early shows. Several of us are heading to Idaho for the first weekend in May. I was sorry to miss the Adult Team Show and the Expo in Albany because of the road conditions in the past few weeks.

We are still seeking people to fill the position of Treasurer (ODS Board Position) and Assistant Treasurer.  Please contact me at 541-318-7353 if you are interested.

Thanks!
Marsha

###