May 11, 2008
Four advanced young riders have been selected for the 2008 Advanced Young Rider Olympic Dream Program, which annually sends young riders to Europe for an intensive 10-day dressage experience. The program is administered and funded annually by The Dressage Foundation (TDF). On May 7, an independent selection committee chose Emily Tears (CA), Katie Alms (CT), Jordan Meadows (IL) and Vanessa Simon (CO) to make the eighth annual TDF trip to Europe. The committee chose Kristin Posner (KY) and Mimi Stanley (ND) as the first and second alternates, respectively. The selection committee based their decision on the candidates’ essays, competition scores, recommendations and signs of commitment. John Boomer, President and CEO of TDF said, “The committee was very impressed with the quality of this year’s candidates, and they have selected a wonderful group of young riders.”
The program, conceived by Olympic medalist and TDF board member, Michael Poulin (FL), will be led this year by mother-daughter team Cindy Sydnor (NC) and Eliza Sydnor (NC). Beth Baumert (CT) is serving, again, as administrator of the program. Poulin believes TDF’s Olympic Dream program helps American young riders reach their potential. He aims to fuel “the power of the dream” for young people, and help them “develop a sense of proportion, a sense of themselves and of being proud of who they are and what they’re doing.”
The group will attend the European Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships in Azeitao, Portugal. Chaperone, Cindy Sydnor who served in the same capacity on the 2004 trip, offers the advantage of speaking both German and Portuguese. After the championships, the group will travel to Germany. Subject to the schedules of German riders and trainers, the group will tentatively plan to visit U.S. team coach, Klaus Balkenhol, Spanish team coach, Jean Bemelmans and German Olympians, Ingrid Klimke and Hubertus Schmidt. While traveling, the young riders will record their observations in daily journals and chronicle the events with photos and video to share with their home dressage organizations.
"This annual trip, scheduled this year from July 17-27, 2008, is made possible by very generous donors,” said Boomer. “We’re very grateful to those who care and share in this special way."