The Violet M Hopkins Guidelines

Guidelines for GMO applicants to the Violet M. Hopkins Fund

The Violet M. Hopkins Fund at The Dressage Foundation offers grants to help USDF GMOs conduct educational events for its members. It can include events such as educational clinics, camps, and symposia for riders at all levels.  This also can include educational lectures, sessions A,B,C of the USDF 'L' education programs, and module workshops of Instruction Certification Program.  We will consider the educational portions of pre-certification workshops for instructors. We will consider programs to support youth, which incorporate riders at all levels, which are sponsored by a GMO.  Funds should be used to finance events that a GMO might not be able to undertake without financial help or some "start-up" money. Chapters of larger GMOs may apply in the same manner as a GMO. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the planned event.  It is required that a 'new' GMO have at least 6 months of history before the Grant Selection Committee entertains any funding request.  This gives a new group time to organize, delegate responsibilities, plan for the educational needs of the group, and to fund-raise.  

PROGRAMS are the essence of the grants and should be well planned.  The Foundation and Grant Selection welcomes new programs which are well planned and provide educational opportunities for riders at all levels.  They are not to merely consist of individual riding lessons at a reduced price. Every effort should be made to include auditors, and participants should be encouraged to watch as much as possible of the instruction of others in a clinic. We require that there be a scheduled lecture on basic theory in the form of a formal presentation.   A sample of lecture topics include: The Pyramid of Training, horse and rider psychology, correct ring figures, equestrian history, saddle fitting, and horse anatomy. Other ideas will be considered.  Participants are expected to attend and auditors are encouraged to fully participate.

INSTRUCTORS are the core of any program and need to be selected carefully. They need not necessarily be big names from competition ranks, but should have an established record of teaching amateurs and beginners and assisting them with some training ideas to take home. Emphasis should be on correct basics. The program is not intended to make it possible to hire famous names to satisfy egos. Often good local instructors, including USDF Certified Instructors, or 'grandfathered-in' established Instructors, will do a better job with lower level riders.  Also, consider USEF "R" or "S" judges as possible instructors.  

FACILITIES can vary considerably depending on local conditions, especially the weather. Covered arenas are always desirable, summer or winter, but not always needed. A ring the size of the small arena (20X40) is a minimum. A dressage ring is not always necessary. Safe stabling and/or trailer parking is a must, as is reasonable footing.

BUDGETING is an important part of the application process. Of course selection of the instructor/s will influence the final cost, especially when there are large transportation costs involved. Going overboard should not be necessary, but trying for a very low budget production may result in "getting what you pay for." The charge for participants should not be kept too low as it causes people to expect subsidized instruction at all times. Profit sharing arrangements with an instructor are not permitted even when only applied to auditor fees. Excess income cannot be used to finance other programs, projects or activities, and should be returned to The Dressage Foundation.

AUDITORS should be an integral part of the planning process and every effort should be made to include auditors. The Foundation requires that a small fee be charged, which validates that auditing is a valuable tool in gaining  knowledge. It is of course incumbent on the organizer and instructor to see that auditors receive something of value and feel they are a real part of the program.

These "Rules of the Road" are to be read, printed and kept on file with your records. The application will be accessed after you have read these guidelines.

Please click to receive: Violet M. Hopkins Fund Application