Help For Dressage Instructors

Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors

This is for education of all who instruct or train. Founded by Maryal Barnett, the program offers five annual grants of $1,000 each to USDF GMOs for Instructor education AND five annual grants of up to $1,500 to individuals in pursuit of Instructor Certification. GMO grants will be issued on a "first-come-first-served" basis each year; individual grant applications will be due no later than February 1st and July 1st each year.  As the Fund grows, additional grants may become available to more groups, organizations and individuals.

Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship

The Dressage Foundation is pleased to offer funding to instructors to train in the United States.  Two $2,000 scholarships and one $6,000 scholarship are available each year for dressage instructors to train for an extended period of time away from home.

USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award

This $5,000 award will recognize and honor excellence in the teaching of Dressage, to a USDF Region 9 Dressage Instructor.  The Dressage Foundation administers this annual award.

The Trip Harting Fund

Provides funding assistance for a Pony Club rider to attend the United States Dressage Federation ‘L’ Education Program or Instructor Certification Program.  Applicants must be current or graduate Pony Club members with a B or A rating.  Applications are due no later than March 25th of each year, for that year's award.

Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund

Established by Renee Isler, this fund was originally created to help applicants to the "USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Clinic Series," who are in need of financial assistance in order to attend, if qualified and accepted by USDF. Renee's Fund has authorized nine annual grants of up to $800 each, one for each Clinic in each of the nine USDF Regions.

While the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund continues to meet this need, it has also grown in scope and funding available.  Funding is now available for a variety of uses for Young Riders and professionals. 

The Michael Poulin Dressage Fund

Established at The Dressage Foundation by friends and supporters of Olympian Michael Poulin, the purpose of this Fund is to provide funding support for programs and projects that enhance the quality of Dressage in the United States, through any and all of its component disciplines - riding, competing, training, instructing, and judging.  Grant applications should contain bold, creative, innovative ideas for the improvement and strengthening of Dressage.