A VIV (Very Important Visitor) at The Dressage Foundation

On April 5, 2010, Karin Offield and her Jack Russell, Cabo, spent the day with The Dressage Foundation staff at its national headquarters office in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Karin planned this visit as a mid-point stop on her drive from Aspen, Colorado, to her northern Michigan home.

Karin and The Dressage Foundation staff worked on the further development of a new Program that was conceived by Karin.  It is being launched into the equestrian marketplace by The Dressage Foundation in the near future.  The new program, "Lessons in Fundraising, Giving, and Horsemanship...Your Foundation for the Future," will teach participants the basics of fundraising, and how they can develop financial support necessary to pursue their equestrian education and careers.  The Dressage Foundation, working with potential participant focus groups, is developing a curriculum to be taught by an excellent faculty cadre of people who have "been there, done that," as well as trained fundraising professionals.

This "Lessons" series will include a "Show Me, Tell Me" curriculum on horsemanship.  Participants will be required to submit videos and posts illustrating their grasp of the Program's horsemanship topics.  Respected Olympic riders, trainers, instructors and judges from many disciplines will contribute to this program.

"Karin Offield has been a steady, strong supporter of The Dressage Foundation and its work," said John Boomer, retiring President and CEO.  "Her charitable gift support has made it possible to fund the production of a film documentary on the remarkable equestrian life of Major General Jonathan R. Burton. The show spans his career from early U.S. Cavalry days where American dressage began, right up to his active involvement in equestrian sport today.  This film was produced by Mary Phelps of HorsesDaily," added Boomer.  He continued, "Karin also provided substantial funding to The Dressage Foundation to make possible the printing of The View from C, which has been sold widely throughout the equestrian community."

Said Karin Offield, about her day at The Dressage Foundation, "It was wonderful to spend time with John Boomer and to see how the organization is run first hand. I have worked with John over the last decade, and to become newly acquainted with the Foundation's delightful new staff - Jenny Johnson, Administrative Manager, and Melissa Filipi, Development Director was fantastic.  It will be an honor and a pleasure to work with them as we finalize and introduce the new 'Lessons in Fundraising, Giving, and Horsemanship' Program.  And to top off our day," said Karin, "they fed Cabo a wonderful lunch. He was very happy to be included!"