The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce Anne Sushko (IA) as the recipient of its “Judith Noone Volunteer Award” for 2025. This annual award, selected by TDF’s Board of Directors, honors an individual who has been an excellent ambassador for the organization as a volunteer and who also shows long-term dedication to the advancement of the sport.
Left to right: TDF Executive Director, Jenny Johnson; TDF Volunteer of the Year, Anne Sushko; TDF President, Beth Baumert; TDF Director of Grants and Programs, Sara Weiss. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bryant.
This award is presented in memory of Judith Noone, who served as a TDF Board member for over 20 years and helped shape the organization into what it is today. Judith also initiated some of the first Junior/Young Rider programs in the U.S., organized the first CDIs in New England, created the first Regional Championships across the U.S., ran some of the first programs for dressage judges in our country, was a champion for the adult amateur rider, and so much more. The Judith Noone Volunteer Award plaque is permanently displayed in TDF’s office and engraved with the recipients’ names.
Anne Sushko has been a dedicated friend of TDF for years. A retired educator, Anne was drawn to TDF’s mission to support dressage education in the United States. Her commitment to the organization includes her involvement as a long-time volunteer, donor, Legacy Society member, Century Club member, and past grant recipient as an adult amateur rider. In her travels around the country as USDF Region 4 Director and popular show secretary, Anne enthusiastically shares news and information about TDF across the country, helping spread awareness of its grants and programs.
Anne shared, “What an honor to be recognized by an organization that has such a strong and dedicated volunteer base! Volunteering—with its basic concepts of giving, community, and finding purpose—was an expectation in my family. This expectation has become a source of joy. Mahatma Gandhi said it best: ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ Thank you TDF for helping so many of us to find our true selves!!!”
Beth Baumert, TDF’s President, said, “TDF is grateful for Anne’s countless kindness and support of TDF. Anne’s perpetual smile and helping hand are always inspiring. We are grateful to her and the countless other volunteers who are so dedicated to helping our organization.”
For information about The Dressage Foundation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org or call (402) 434-8585.
The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
