It's About More Than the Training -- It's About Hope

When you donate to The Dressage Foundation, you know that you're supporting the education of deserving riders. But many times, it is about so much more than that.

Shortly after Kate Poulin was awarded our Pure Spanish Horse/P.R.E. Fund Grant in 2023 with Carinoso CA, she received a devastating cancer diagnosis.

However, through surgeries and chemo, Kate trained when she could and stayed focused on her healing. Today, she is cancer-free and recently earned a 68% at Intermediate I with Carinoso.

Kate said, "Being chosen for the grant was a vital confidence booster at a time when I needed it most. It helped keep me focused on future possibilities during some very dark moments. Thank you for your support and belief in me."

A Dream Come True!

Meeting and learning from Olympic medalists, 5* Judges, international Team Coaches...it truly was a "dream" week for this year's Dream Program at the Aachen CHIO!

Participant Quinn Ridgway shared, "I leave Aachen with a new dressage family, feeling encouraged, inspired, and ready to apply all I have learned – not just in practice but in how I carry myself, how I approach new challenges or disappointments, and how I continue to grow as a horseman and rider."

Who did the group meet and what did they learn? Check out the young riders' daily journals!

Four Recipients of Judges' Licensing Fund Grants Announced

Congratulations to the four recipients of the $2,000 Judges' Licensing Fund Grants -- Margaret Boyce (NY), Michell Combs (AZ), Kendra Hansis (NJ), and Erin Hurley (NJ)!

Erin said, "I am deeply honored to receive this grant in support of my journey through the dressage judging program. This opportunity not only fuels my commitment to excellence in the sport, but also strengthens my dedication to serving the dressage community with integrity and knowledge. Thank you for investing in the future of our sport.”

The Most Meaningful Wins

We are pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous donor, two riders who qualified for the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships (NAYC) U25 Division have been awarded $2,000 grants from TDF. These grants were awarded to riders who need financial help for the large expenses of traveling and competing at this prestigious competition.

The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, "This sport is full of extraordinary young riders who’ve worked tirelessly but are held back by financial barriers, not talent. We want to help give the U25 riders who have qualified for NAYC a chance to compete at this multinational, youth-focused CDI. Sometimes the most meaningful wins are the ones we help others achieve."

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Don't miss out on the opportunity to apply for funding for your dressage education:

8/1 -- Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award

8/15 -- $25,000 Anne Barlow Ramsay Grant for U.S. Bred Horses

8/31 -- $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize

8/31 -- $15,000 Carol Lavell Developing Dressage Prize

9/1 -- Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development Fund

9/10 -- Verne Batchelder Instructor Fund for Regions 1, 3 & 8

9/15 -- Gifted Fund for Adult Amateurs

9/30 -- Major Lindgren Instructor Grants

75 days before the event -- Many grants are available for dressage clubs/groups to host educational events.