What's the Point?
By Beth Baumert, Administrator
| During its initial years, The Dressage Foundation's Advanced Young Rider Training/Education Program was a European adventure that evolved farther than anyone expected. The power of the program soon became clear to the people who were keeping an eye on it. Graduates of the program emerged with clear-cut visions of future career paths. They marched forward with confidence and lofty goals. By now, it's clear that these hand-picked young riders are emerging as leaders in our sport. As a result, Michael Poulin, the originator of the program, renamed it: The Olympic Dream Program - and a dream it is for exceptional young riders, the ones who have what it takes to excel in the sport of dressage. CEO John Boomer says, "This program isn't for everyone." It's true. Top dressage riders have a sturdy constitution, an extra measure of persistence and talent on top of that. The Dressage Foundation goal for the Olympic Dream Program is to immerse our finest young dressage riders in the European dressage culture. There, the law of the farm rules. In the short run, dressage trainers don't always reap what they sow, so the compelling force for riders must be the process itself. The European trainers who participate in this program are passionate and driven. During recent years, Klaus Balkenhol, Hubertus Schmidt, Jean Bemelmans and Ingrid Klimke have hosted participants in the program. Young Riders have witnessed, first hand, that these trainers' motives are always guided by a reverence for the horse's welfare and by their complete and steadfast faith in the German system of training and caring for horses. That's horsemanship. Horsemanship builds strong people with compassion and character- and that is the ultimate goal of this program. The Dressage Foundation is profoundly grateful to the donors who make this Olympic Dream Program possible. Thank you! |
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