Dressage-News

Mary Anne McPhail, a major supporter of American dressage, will be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Sarah Jane Martin and Robert Higgins will receive USDF’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The three will be recognized at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet held during the 2025 USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, Kentucky Dec. 3-6.

Mary Anne McPhail was an USEF ‘S’ dressage judge, a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist, and a 2018 USDF Member of Distinction. She is known for her lifelong dedication to and support of dressage and judge training. She established The Dressage Foundation’s Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judges Education Fund, the first of its kind developed to support USDF’s judge education initiatives and creating more awareness from the judges perspective among the dressage community. For many years, she allowed her High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida to host the annual FEI Level Trainers Conferences, one of USDF’s marquee educational events.

Sarah Jane Martin

Sarah Jane Martin has an extensive history with USDF, from her time as regional director to executive director, and her many years as both a participating and group member delegate to the board of governors. In addition to her service to USDF, Sarah Jane is also a USEF technical delegate and FEI dressage steward, and was a founding member of the Southwest Dressage Championships.

Robert Higgins

Robert Higgins, a longtime participating member delegate and 2007 USDF volunteer of the year. has been an advocate and supporter of dressage and USDF for many years. In addition to his official capacities as a USEF technical delegate and FEI steward, Robert has remained actively involved in dressage since joining USDF in 1993. He has logged countless volunteer hours with his involvement with competitions such as Dressage at Devon, USDF Region 8 Championships and US Dressage Finals.