The Violet M Hopkins Fund

The Violet M. Hopkins Fund was established at The Dressage Foundation in 1996 to help support educational programs of USDF GMOs. The objective of the Hopkins Fund is to give financial assistance to help USDF GMOs provide quality and effective instructional Dressage programs to riders at all levels.  The maximum amount to be awarded will be $2,000 per application. GMOs can receive a grant only once in any given calendar year. It is required that applications reach the Foundation Office at least 90 days in advance of your event.

Here's a peek at some recent educational events that were awarded grants from the Violet M. Hopkins Fund:

Fort Worth Dressage Club
Camp - October 2011
Clinician - Jayne Ayers

"This camp could not have been done without the grants from The Dressage Foundation and Region 9 Educational Fund, and Noble Champions donating their facility.  Thanks to all involved and the special effort many of our members put forth to make this camp successful!"

Aloha State Dressage Society
Clinic - May 2011
Clinician - Tom Poulin

Oklahoma Dressage Society
Symposium - April 2011
Clinician - Lilo Fore

"We feel this symposium was very successful and offered our auditors a chance to observe many different levels and breeds of horses.  We were thrilled to have Lilo!" - Anne Kuhs, Board Member

NEW Dressage Association - Northern Chapter
Clinic - February 2011
Clinician - Maryal Barnett

"Thank you so much - it was a wonderful presentation with many new people in attendance!" - Jennifer Blahnik, President

Austin Dressage Unlimited
Dressage Simulator Clinic - November 2010
Clinician - Barbro Ask-Upmark

"We at Austin Dressage Unlimited are SO appreciative of The Dressage Foundation's generous support of our educational programs.  Education is our GMO's primary goal in the Central Texas dressage community.  It is close to 100% of what we do in our organization." - Cean Embrey - Education Co-Team Leader

Cean Embrey and Barbro	Barbro giving a simulator lesson to Mary Kay Hasseman.	Avery Hogan after her simulator ride.

Virginia Dressage Association - Southwest Chapter
Annual Camp - October 2010
Instructors - Liz Stacie and Judy Westenhoefer

"On behalf of the Southwest Virginia Dressage Association and all of the participants at our camp, we extend a heartfelt 'thank you'.  This important educational opportunity was made possible because of your support." - Marie Klimchuk, Camp Coordinator

Arkansas Dressage Society
Dressage Simulator Clinic - October 2010
Clinician - Barbro Ask-Upmark

"Thank you so much for having the courage to fund something so new and innovative in the horse world as the dressage horse simulator clinic.  Without your support and encouragement, our clinic would not have happened.  Thank you for allowing us to participate in what I believe may be the beginning of the way of the future." - Eileen Krause, Vice-President

Rider learning to fine-tune hands and connection.	Barbro instructing rider.	Rider correcting seat, core, and back.

Lehigh Valley Dressage Association
Dressage Clinic - October 2010
Clinician - Jessica Jo Tate

"With the reduction of rider and auditor fees due to receiving the Violet Hopkins Grant, LVDA filled the clinic in-house within two days after the opening date!  We also had an increased number of auditors observing each day.  JJ Tate was very well received by the riders, auditors, and lecture participants alike." - Gail Carpency, LVDA President

The Dressage Foundation would like to thank LVDA for donating the banner, which will be used for future events sponsored by TDF!

Sacramento Valley Chapter of California Dressage Society
Adult Dressage Camp - September 2010
Clinicians - Michael Etherly, Tracy Hill, Tanya Vik

"It has happened again, the Sacramento Valley Chapter of CDS held their annual dressage camp and the participants found it "awesome, wonderful, excellent, marvelous" and can't wait to come back again next year.  Thank you to The Dressage Foundation and the Violet Hopkins Fund for your ongoing support for this important regional activity." - Marcia Gibbs, Camp Administrator

Campers meet with Tracy Hill to discuss how to use the training scale in everyday riding.	Kinesiologist Poppy Philips teaching campers aboutelements of the horse's whole health perspective.	Cross Country expert Chris Scarlett demonstrates jumping position.

State of Jefferson Chapter of Oregon Dressage Society
Rider Biomechanics Clinic - July 2010
Clinician - Sandy Howard

"The State of Jefferson Chapter of The Oregon Dressage Society is very much in debt to The Dressage Foundation for making grants like the one you gave us, available to dressage groups like ours.  This was a very special educational opportunity for our area and we appreciate your financial support.  The attendance was amazing to us...possibly due to the reasonable fees for an outstanding clinician.  Thank you!" - Carol Taylor, organizer

Sandy demonstrating how to find a "neutral spine."

Sandy explaining rider position biomechanics to auditors.

Ed Miller finding internal rotation position for his legs.

Central Vermont Dressage Association
Adult Dressage Camp - June 2010
Clinicians - Deb Dean-Smith, Joy Congdon, Ruth Hogan-Poulsen

"Our expecations were exceeded in this year's camp.  Many levels of training were represented, from very green horses to horses competing 4th level.  The clinicians gave their all to the camp and evaluated the needs of each horse and rider pair quickly, and were able to have every pair improve themselves." - Terri Satterlee, organizer