The U.S. Dressage Federation announced Sept. 11 that Charles de Kunffy and Anne Gribbons will be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, Dec. 7, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, Ky. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on individuals and horses that have made outstanding contributions to dressage in the United States.
Charles de Kunffy is known as a lifelong educator, prolific author and charismatic instructor, and he’s had a resounding impact on dressage in America. For more than 50 years, he’s dedicated his life to teaching classical dressage and sharing his passion for training and riding.
His work as a national and international teacher, lecturer and clinician has taken him throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada and the United States. De Kunffy has published over seven books, including two autobiographies, as well as contributed his expertise to publications such as Dressage and Combined Training, The Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, and USDF Connection. He’s also a retired FEI three-star and U.S. Equestrian Federation S judge.
USDF President George Williams said, “Charles is one of the most eloquent ambassadors of dressage in our lifetime. There is no doubt his writing and teachings will continue to inspire many more generations of dressage enthusiasts to come.”
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Anne Gribbons has been a driving force in all facets of dressage. Her profound career has spanned over four decades. During her time as an international rider, Gribbons represented the United States at the 1995 Pan American Games (Argentina), in which the U.S. dressage team won the silver medal.
She has also ridden and trained numerous horses to Grand Prix, including Kristall, Leonardo II, Tappan Zee and Metallic, who was a member of the 1996 Olympic Games (Atlanta) bronze medal team. As an FEI five-star dressage judge, Gribbons has judged numerous CDIs, Olympic and Pan American trials, and the FEI World Cup Finals.
Gribbons’ extensive involvement with USDF and USEF has resulted in the development of the American dressage pipeline, which was implemented during her tenure as USEF Dressage Technical Advisor and National Coach.
USDF President George Williams said, “Anne has never stood still and is a fearless advocate for dressage in the United States. She is a well-rounded horsewoman, interested in all aspects of our sport, who has proven time and again that she lives and breathes dressage. Anne has been a major force in the development of dressage in our country.”
