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The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Executive Board has named Stephan Hienzsch of Castle Rock, Colorado as its Executive Director, effective May 1, 2002. "We conducted an extensive search and were very pleased with the overall quality of the approximately 70 applications received for the position," said Miki Christophersen, Chairman of the Search Committee. "We are looking forward to Mr. Hienzsch's leadership of USDF as we relocate our headquarters to Lexington, Kentucky on June 1, 2002," she said. Mr. Hienzsch (pronounced "Hinch") served as Head Coach and Director of the United States Disabled Ski Team for four years, while he was an employee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association (USSA) - the national governing body for Olympic Skiing and Snowboarding. He has many years of experience with a non-profit sports organization. The organizational structure, issues, and agendas of USSA are very similar to those of USDF. As an athlete, Mr. Hienzsch was a member of the U.S. Ski Team from 1974 to 1978, a four-time NCAA All American, and the 1977 NCAA National Slalom and Giant Slalom Champion. He also has experience as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Volant Sports where he produced $18 million in annual
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sales. Mr. Hienzsch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Colorado. His wife, Carol, owns five show horses and is an adult amateur competitor in hunter/jumper and eventing. "I am very excited to have the opportunity to contribute to achieving the goals and objectives of USDF during this time of organizational growth. The future relocation to the Kentucky Horse Park affords USDF the opportunity to improve not only its exposure to the equestrian community but also the stimulus to take educational programs and membership services to the next level," said Mr. Hienzsch. Since January 21, 2002, Dan Brown has served as USDF Acting Executive Director and Regine Scheck-Seberger has served as Acting Deputy Executive Director. "I would like to thank Mr. Brown and Ms. Scheck-Seberger for their fine work over the past three months during this challenging transition period," said USDF President Sam Barish.
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Violet M. Hopkins, longtime, well-known dressage personality died on April 4, 2002, at her home in White Lake, Michigan, at the age of 92. Vi Hopkins was often called "America's Grand Lady of Dressage." She was a legendary dressage instructor, and was determined to do all she could do to improve the quality of Dressage in the United States.
Violet Hopkins was a founder of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and a National Board Member of The Dressage Foundation.
The Violet M. Hopkins Fund was established at The Dressage Foundation in 1996, and provides financial assistance to USDF General Member Organizations (GMOs) to conduct instructional Dressage programs for riders at all levels. "Vi established a major Trust, payable to The Dressage Foundation upon her death, and which will now endow the Hopkins Fund on out into perpetuity," said John Boomer, President and CEO of The Dressage Foundation. Boomer added, "I have surely enjoyed knowing Vi Hopkins, and I have always thought her epitaph should read, 'Basics, Basics, Basics'."
William R. Brashear, Livonia, Michigan, Attorney and Trustee of the Violet M. Hopkins Estate, suggests that those wishing to make a donation in special remembrance of Vi Hopkins designate it for the Violet M. Hopkins Fund, and send it to: The Dressage Foundation, 130 North 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.
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