George Williams, U.S. Dressage Federation’s vice president, will replace Dr. Samuel Barish as president of the organization. Williams, a successful international dressage rider, won Dressage at Devon’s (Pa.) Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle an unprecedented three times, earned fifth at the 2003 World Cup and helped the 2005 U.S. Nations Cup team claim bronze in Aachen, Germany.

“It is quite an honor to be elected,” said Williams. “I am thrilled to take on this job and am really looking forward to serving. We are all here for the horse, and moving forward I hope our programs are dedicated to the welfare of the horse and promoting better horsemanship and horsemastership.”

Williams said that as president he wants to improve the instructor training and certification process, and make dressage more fun and rewarding for the average rider in an interview with dressagedaily.com. He also aims to provide support for dressage pairs competing in at the World Equestrian Games and help grow the dressage sport.