Recent News

November 19, 2007

New Continuing Education Grants for Dressage Instructors Offered by the Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation announced today that a series of new continuing Education Grants for Dressage Instructors is available starting in 2008. USDF GMO/chapters may apply for $1000 grants to conduct continuing education programs for Dressage Instructors that best fit their needs. An Instructor Advisory Committee, consisting of Anne Gribbons, Maryal Barnett, Cindy Sydnor, Gerhard Politz, Melanie Tenney and Sarah Geikie, have developed three suggested program modules. Funding is available from The Dressage Foundation to provide ten programs at $1000 each annually, starting in 2008. Grants will be awarded to the first ten GMOs who apply, and whose applications are approved by The Dressage Foundation's Instructor Education Advisory Committee.

"This new grant program is being made possible with funding donated by Maryal Barnett (MI), who has conducted some Estate Planning with The Dressage Foundation," said John Boomer, President and CEO. "Maryal is a long-time premier US Dressage Instructor, and The Dressage Foundation is pleased and honored that she has arranged to "give back" to her beloved sport in this special way," said Boomer.

Maryal states, "The future of dressage and the welfare of our horses is dependent on the quality of education that our professionals obtain. There were people in my life such as Violet Hopkins and Lowell Boomer who were instrumental in making education possible for me, and many others through their generosity and foresight. Lowell Boomer along with many others saw the importance of education; and they founded the United States Dressage Federation to unite and educate Dressage enthusiasts. Violet Hopkins gave her farm, time and wisdom each Summer to make the Vi Hopkins Seminar for Dressage Instructors possible for those of us hungering for more knowledge. Now, it is my desire to give back to the sport that has given me such a rewarding and happy life. That is why I want to help to make it possible for other present and future dressage instructors/trainers to be able to obtain quality education through The Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Grants."

Maryal Barnett's funding will be administered through the Founders' Endowment Fund at the Dressage Foundation, established by an anonymous Donor in 1998 to provide grants and scholarships for Dressage Instructors and Adult Amateurs.