Marie Morgan of Houston, TX, received the tenth annual “USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award” at the Great American/USDF Region 9 Championships held in Katy, TX, October 4-7, 2018. She received a $5,000 award for demonstrating adherence to sound dressage principles and the ability to communicate these principles so that students develop themselves and their horses in a logical, progressive and humane way up through the levels. 

Marie Morgan is a USDF Certified Instructor through Second Level, “L” Graduate, USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, previous recipient of the Charlotte Raisback Sportsmanship Award and inaugural recipient of the 2009 USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award. 

“With the Award, I plan on teaming up with Dr. Lisa V. Hardin,Psy. D, Licensed  Psychologist, to present a seminar for dressage riders on dealing with competition stress. Dr. Hardin will address the rider's mental state and I will address the horse/rider relationship. Our aim is to provide practical solutions for common challenges riders face,” shared Marie. 

The Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award was established at The Dressage Foundation in 2009 by Meg Flemming, who presented the Award this year. “I am so grateful to The Dressage Foundation for their continued support and management of the award. I am also very grateful to the ongoing support from the donors who make this award possible,” said Meg. “I’m thrilled to be giving this year’s award to Marie Morgan for the second time. Marie was the first recipient in our inaugural year. Her teaching and professionalism exemplifies what this award is all about.” 

Dressage instructors are nominated by students or peers, and then submit an application that is reviewed by a prominent Selection Committee. In addition to being a USDF Region 9 member in good standing and a Region 9 resident, the recipient must also demonstrate adherence to sound dressage principles and have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and community service.