Photos, Left to Right: Brianna Zwilling (Credit John Borys), Kimberly Bench (Credit Kristen Chasnis), Heather McCullough (Credit Pat Girard)

The Dressage Foundation has announced that a total of $10,000 has been awarded to U.S. dressage instructors through the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship program, funded through The Dressage Foundation’s Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund. The Lindgren Scholarships provide financial support that enables dressage instructors to train in a concentrated amount of time in order to improve teaching, riding, and training skills. This year, the Selection Committee chose the following recipients:

Brianna Zwilling (Wentzville, MO) was awarded the $6,000 Lindgren Scholarship. Brianna is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist that trains out of Epique Equestrian Center. Brianna will use the funds to train with Betsy Steiner in April and July of 2017.

Kimberly Bench (Hudsonville, MI) is the recipient of a $2,000 Lindgren Scholarship. Kimberly owns and operate Benchmark Dressage and is a USDF Bronze Medalist. She has also been accepted into the “L” Graduate Program. Kimberly will work with Katrina Hiller for two weeks.

Heather McCullough (Troutman, NC), was also awarded a $2,000 Scholarship. Heather is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, and a Certified Instructor through First Level. Heather is planning on spending a concentrated training period with Stacey Hastings, with follow up lessons afterwards.

Since 1996, The Dressage Foundation has offered annual instructor scholarships in Major Anders Lindgren's name. Major Lindgren was an accomplished dressage rider, having won the 1971 Swedish Dressage Championship and ridden on the Swedish Olympic Team in 1972. He also won the Scandinavian Eventing Championship in 1959. Lindgren's contribution to American dressage was large, as he was solidly committed to the education of U.S. dressage instructors.

Applications for the three Lindgren scholarships are due to The Dressage Foundation by September 30th of each year.