Four Young Dressage Riders Chosen for Olympic Dream Program

Four young Dressage riders were selected for the 2007 FEI Young Rider Olympic Dream Program, which is administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation (TDF). The purpose of the program, conceived by Olympic medalist and TDF board member, Michael Poulin, is to immerse our best young riders in European Dressage at the highest level. Poulin encourages young people to dream, and his goal for the program is to help American young riders clarify their dreams and maximize their potentials. "They develop a sense of proportion, a sense of themselves and of being proud of who they are and what they're doing," says Poulin.

An independent selection committee chose Natalie Perry (WA), Jena Dick (KS), Julie McKean (ME) and Hannah Holland Shook (NC) to make the seventh annual TDF trip to Europe. This year's chaperones were Deborah Bowman (VA) and Sarah Martin (CO). Beth Baumert (CT) was administrator of the program.

"The selection committee based their decisions on the candidates' essays, competition scores, recommendations and signs of commitment," said John Boomer, President and CEO of The Dressage Foundation. "The committee was challenged by the quantity as well as the quality of this year's candidates," he added, "and they have selected a wonderful group of young riders."

The group departed on July 11 to observe for three days the European Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships in Nussloch, near Heidelberg, Germany.

While there, they spent time with International Judge Jenny Loristan-Clarke of Great Britain, and Arthur Kottas, of Austria, former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School. Prior to their return home on July 21, they are scheduled for visits with: Carola Koppelmann, who went through the German Young Rider Program, and after graduation, won the German Piaff Cup, comparable to our Brentina Cup; Christoph Hess, high-level German Judge who took them on tour of the DOKR in Warendorf; Dr. Gerhard Heuschmann, famed equine veterinarian, co-founder with Klaus Balkenhol of the Xenophon Society which promotes classical riding; Ingrid Klimke, who is a member of the German 3-day Event Team, and is the daughter of the late and legendary Dr. Reiner Klimke; Heike Kemmer, member of the German Gold Medal Team multiple times with different horses; and Hubertus Schmidt, known as one of the most classically correct riders in the world, mainstay of the German Team with his famous mare, Wansuela Suerte.

While traveling, the young riders recorded their observations in daily journals and chronicled the events with photos and video to share with their home Dressage organizations.

"This annual trip is made possible by very generous donors," said Boomer. "We're very grateful to those who care and share in this special way."


Natalie Perry Bio | Jena Dick Bio | Julie McKean Bio | Hannah Holland Shook Bio


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