New Officers and Regional Directors Elected for United States Dressage Federation
RELEASE: December 31, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Linda Schultz
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) elected a new president and treasurer for three-year terms. George Williams of Delaware, OH, who was vice president of the federation for nine years and a United States high-performance rider, takes the helm as president from Dr. Samuel Barish. Steve Schubert of Methuen, MA, replaces Barb Tuohino Funk as treasurer. Williams also appointed Melissa Creswick of Clovis, CA, as interim vice president for a one-year term.
George Williams is currently a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Committee and Chairman of the USEF Dressage High-Performance Committee. As a prominent figure in international dressage, his career highlights with Chuck and Joann Smith’s mare Rocher include: unprecedented three-time Dressage at Devon Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle winner; 2005 USEF/Collecting Gaits Farm National Grand Prix Champion; Team Bronze at CHIO Aachen; fifth at the 2003 World Cup in Sweden; USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year; and
The Chronicle of the Horse’s Dressage Horse of the Year.
Born and raised in a horse family in New Hampshire, he traveled to Germany to the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, and earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. He was a rider/trainer for the Tempel Lipizzans in Wadsworth, IL and in 1988, he was promoted to director of their program. From the summer of 2000 until spring of 2009, Williams rode and trained for the Smiths at Gypsy Woods Farm in Ohio. He currently trains for Elizabeth Juliano’s Havensafe Farm of Middlefield, OH; and Wellington, FL. He also teaches and coaches with Williams Dressage, LLC.
"It is an honor to take over the reins of the USDF after Dr. Barish's tenure as president. Under his leadership the USDF took the steps necessary to build a good foundation for the organization. Between the move into our well-situated offices at the Kentucky Horse Park, having an excellent staff in place and Barb Funk's expertise as treasurer over the past decade, I'm excited about the next few years. The USDF is in a good position to move forward with a renewed focus on programs," stated Williams.
Steve Schubert, has been an avid horse lover his whole life. He’s owned many horses and currently owns a Belgian named Zigums. Schubert is the managing partner of Quarterline Dressage, LLC, of Georgetown, MA, and significant other of FEI Grand Prix rider and trainer Cindi Rose Wylie. They manage a 37-acre dressage training facility.
Schubert spent 33 years in various executive financial roles, including being CFO and CEO of several $300-million-plus corporations. Schubert earned what Price Waterhouse called a “perfect audit” designation. He was CEO of the Granite State Board of Realtors, a large nonprofit membership-based organization based in New Hampshire. Currently he works as a forensic accountant and consulting CFO in the New England area. Steve has an MBA specializing in accounting and taxation.
“I feel privileged to be elected to the position of Treasurer for the USDF and have big shoes to fill taking over for retiring treasurer Barbara Funk. I look forward to bringing my financial expertise and love of dressage to the executive board and to assist in bringing new programs and benefits to the membership over my tenure," added Schubert.
Melissa Creswick is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist and is currently competing at the FEI levels. She is the past president of the Region 7 California Dressage Society and holds USEF "S" dressage judge and 'r" sport horse breeding judge licenses. She was also a member of the USEF dressage committee. She was the head trainer at her own facility in Southern California known as Clovis Training Center but has sold the farm.
Lloyd Landkamer was elected Regional Director for Region 4, which includes Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. He replaces Sara Patrick. Landkamer owns DressageShowInfo.com and manages multiple dressage competitions across the Midwest. He was recently named discipline manager for dressage and para-dressage for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. He is owner and operator of Brandywine Farm, a dressage facility in Hamel, MN, and has won numerous USDF Horse of the Year awards at various levels. He holds a USEF license as a C1 and C2 Steward and “R” rated Technical Delegate. He is also an FEI Chief Steward.
Ken Levy was elected Regional Director for Region 2, which includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia and replaces Sue Hughes. Levy owns and operates Legacy Farm Dressage with his wife, Barbara, where he trains and teaches beginners through advanced riders. He is an active dressage competitor through the FEI levels. He has won many dressage awards and is also a USEF “r” dressage judge and USDF Associate Instructor. Levy is currently Chairperson for the USDF Membership Committee.