Adequan/USDF Convention 2007 was one of the best yet in the Midwest. About 900 people participated throughout the week and feedback was great. Attendees especially enjoyed the goodie bags - thanks to the generous support of Dressage Extensions, Adequan, Espree, Equitech Software, Moorea Coolers, Schleese and Equestrian Collections.

Attendees enjoyed the amenities in close proximity to the hotel, including the attached enclosed mall and the convention trade fair next to the meeting rooms. Vendor sales were up this year and all enjoyed perusing the silent auction and raffle items during breaks throughout the day.

Dressage and All That Jazz was the theme for the Salute Gala and the dedication of the USDF/Roemer Foundation Hall of Fame. Induction of new members MAJOR Robert Borg, Sally Swift and Roemer, added sparkle to a lovely evening of music and presentations.

The USDF Capital Campaign for the National Education Center surpassed the $3.5 Million mark with $45,000 raised during the convention. During the annual Board of Governors meeting on Friday, National Campaign Chair, Charles A. Smith, put forth a $5,000 challenge to the GMOs and USDF Delegates, which was to be matched by the end of business. They responded by matching to the tune of over $20,000.

Over $3,000 was raised in a hotly contested bidding war to get NEDA President Paul Cormier to take off his shirt. Although at times some bidders were willing to pay more for him to keep his shirt on!

The Friday night raffle - which included authenticated shoes, and a signed photo from the Gypsy Woods Farm Mare, Rocher, owned by Charles and Joann Smith, and the mare, Brentina, owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas - raised over $3,000.

Ingrid was the hit of the party and autographed almost 150 books for the crowd in attendance. The crowd continued their generous ways by bidding a total of almost $5000 for various items in the Youth Executive Board Silent Auction.

The Symposium also received rave reviews and everyone enjoyed Ingrid Klimke for her personable approach to the riders and attendees and Dr. Gosmeier for her extensive knowledge of alternative therapies for horses. Half Halt Press will be translating Dr. Gosmeier's book for English speaking readers by sometime the end of next year.

An exciting highlight during the awards banquet was the auctioning of the "first ever," Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010, VIP Dressage Tickets. The first bid for two tickets was won by Theresa Davidson from Greenwich, Ct. for $8,000. The bidding was so hotly contested that a second set of tickets was made available and Theresa's bid was matched by Uwe Miegel from Coral Gables, Fl. The proceeds support the USDF National Education Endowment Fund portion of the capital campaign. The tickets were donated by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., represented at the convention by Anne Buchanan, Administrative Coordinator.

If you missed all the fun and excitement this year, be sure to get Orlando in '07 on your calendar the same week!