Bedford, NY – Dressage4Kids and Anne Baber Wallis are proud to announce that the D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship will once again be offered for 2020.
This scholarship will be awarded in memory of Christian Kennedy. As a young rider, Christian was known for his kindness, his horsemanship, and his joie de vivre. Dressage4Kids, Christian’s family, and the equestrian community have chosen to remember Christian through programs and scholarships that reflect and recognize his own understanding that horsemanship means much more than simply riding.
Grand Prix rider Emily Gill was the recipient of the inaugural D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship in 2019. On being awarded the scholarship, Emily wrote, “I am taking this opportunity to ride for Christian… I believe that he will be with us every step of the way and my goal is to make him and his family proud.”
The D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship will be awarded to promote, train, and inspire young riders through a special winter training grant. The scholarship will fund one advanced rider, age 18-26, for the 2020 Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival, January through March 2020.
The selected rider must plan on bringing his or her own horse (either owned or leased) and will work under the training leadership of Oded Shimoni at OS Dressage in Wellington, Florida. On riding with Oded, Emily commented, “I am really grateful to work with Oded; he pushes us to be better and that is just what we need!”
Kim Van Kampen of Hampton Green Farm has offered a special stabling rate. The scholarship recipient will need to trailer from Hampton Green Farm to OS Dressage twice weekly for lessons. The scholarship will provide funds up to $15,000 towards transportation to/from Wellington, stabling, training, showing expenses (if applicable), and living expenses (recipient must find their own housing).
Interested riders must submit an application with information regarding recent training and clinic experience, a training video, a letter of recommendation, two references, and a letter stating riding and life goals. The selection committee is interested not only in an excellent rider, but in a well-rounded and committed student who is a strong team player, who demonstrates ethical behavior, and who has sound horsemanship skills.
Evaluation criteria may include: exceptional talent, proven ability to work hard, demonstrated ethical behavior, horsemanship skills, and consistent drive towards stated goals.
The application deadline is August 1, 2019.
