Lexington, KY (October 23, 2025) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is pleased to announce that Mary Anne McPhail has been selected for induction into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, and both Sarah Jane Martin and Robert Higgins as recipients of USDF’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. All three will be formally recognized at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet held during the 2025 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, KY.

Mary Anne McPhail

In addition to being a USEF ‘S’ Dressage Judge, a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, and a 2018 USDF Member of Distinction, Mary Anne McPhail is known for her lifelong dedication to and support of dressage and judge training. This is evidenced by her establishment of The Dressage Foundation’s Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judges Education Fund – the first of its kind, developed with the specific purpose of supporting USDF’s judge education initiatives and creating more awareness from the judges perspective among the dressage community. For many years, she has also generously allowed her High Meadow Farm to play host to the annual Adequan®/USDF 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 of service as both a Participating and Group Member delegate to the USDF Board of Governors. In addition to her service to USDF, Sarah Jane is also a USEF Technical Delegate and FEI Dressage Steward, and has been a longtime advocate and supporter of dressage in her region as a founding member of the Southwest Dressage Championships, a huge asset to Region 9 in the promotion of dressage.

Robert Higgins

Longtime Participating Member Delegate and 2007 USDF Volunteer of the Year Robert Higgins has been a dedicated advocate and supporter of dressage and USDF for many years. Beyond his official capacities as a USEF Technical Delegate and FEI Steward, Robert has remained actively involved in the dressage world since joining USDF in 1993. Throughout this time, he has logged countless volunteer hours regionally, nationally, and beyond with his involvement with competitions like Dressage at Devon, the USDF Region 8 Championships, and the US Dressage Finals, at which he has volunteered since it’s inception.

When speaking of the three honorees, USDF President Kevin Reinig stated, “It is my great honor to play a role in USDF’s recognition of these three extremely well-deserving individuals. While no amount of accolades could begin to account for all they have contributed to USDF and dressage in this country, I look forward to the opportunity to spotlight their contributions and achievements, and to celebrate them amongst their peers and colleagues at the Salute Gala. My only wish is that we had been able to honor Mary Anne prior to her passing earlier this year.”

To join us as we celebrate all of our honorees and award winners, purchase tickets to the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet by visiting the convention website at www.usdf.org/convention. For more information on the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, inductees, or Lifetime Achievement Awards and recipients, visit www.usdf.org.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.