September 27, 2007 — The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will induct Major General Jonathan “Jack” Burton, Hilda Gurney, and Edgar Hotz into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame at the Salute Gala on November 30 during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla. Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is an honor bestowed on those who have made outstanding contributions to dressage in the United States.
Major General Jonathan “Jack” Burton, 88, can still be seen traveling across the country officiating as a USEF “S” Judge, USEF “R” Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge, and as an FEI Chief Steward. A true pioneer of the sport, Burton attended the U.S. Cavalry School at Ft. Riley in Kansas and went on to spend over 60 years promoting dressage in the United States. Burton’s influence upon dressage encompasses riding on two U.S. Olympic three-day teams (1948 and 1956), officiating as an international judge, technical delegate and FEI steward, and in helping to develop programs for the young rider and North American Young Rider Championships.
Hilda Gurney, 64, is an active competitor, breeder, trainer, FEI “I” Judge, USEF “S” Judge, USEF “R” Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge and tireless supporter of dressage. Her career in dressage spans four decades including her involvement in the founding of the California Dressage Society, competing in the 1976 and 1984 Olympics with her self-trained horse, Keen, who has been inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame, numerous national and international judging assignments, being named the first recipient of the USDF Breeder of the Year Award and her boundless enthusiasm as an advocate of dressage.
Edgar Hotz (1941-2001) was a respected international dressage judge and strong proponent of judge education. His judging career spanned over 30 years and included U.S. Olympic Selection Trials, World Cup League Finals, U.S. Olympic Festivals and North American Young Riders Championships. Hotz’s persistent passion to provide education for judges was evident through his deep involvement in the USDF “L” Program, AHSA (now USEF) Dressage Committee, USET Dressage Committee and German Judges Association.
Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame have made outstanding contributions to the development of dressage in the U.S. through their creativity, originality, vision, and sustained effort. Horses inducted into the Hall of Fame have made outstanding contributions to dressage through their competition records in dressage or dressage sport horse breeding, and/or served as ambassadors of the sport.
Each year, the USDF Historical Committee invites members to nominate worthy candidates for the Hall of Fame. All nominations are thoroughly reviewed, researched and discussed by the committee. The committee’s recommendations are considered for approval by the Executive Board. A display of all Hall of Fame inductees, including the 2007 inductees, will reside in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame located in the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Founded in 1973, the USDF is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement and the promotion of the sport of dressage.
