Gifted Fund Grants-Examples of Successful Applications

Example 1:

Training Plan – One week of intensive work with regular trainer that took place at trainer’s barn.  Horse was boarded at trainer’s barn, applicant traveled back and forth from home to barn each day.  Schedule included:

• One lesson on applicant’s own horse each day
• One lesson on trainer’s school horse each day
• Additional lunging and groundwork lessons
• Shadowing trainer while she gave lessons
• Time each day grooming, grazing and hand-walking

Goals – To bridge the gap from 4th Level to FEI, with focus on flying changes, pirouette work, and overall collection.

Volunteer Work – Member of GMO Board of Directors and served on several GMO committees, held officer positions on Board, volunteered at many shows and events.  Volunteered for regional and national USDF committees.

Example 2:

Training Plan – Traveled several hours to work for a week with trainer.  Horse stayed at trainer’s facility, applicant stayed at hotel.  Applicant had worked with trainer in several clinic settings.  Schedule included:

• One lesson on applicant’s horse each day
• Daily groundwork lessons
• Two group lessons
• Videoing each lesson and reviewing at night
• Journaling each day
• Small group hacks

Goals – Strengthen First Level work including balance, collection, canter work and to develop appropriate aids.

Volunteer Work – Member of GMO Board of Directors, held officer positions, Chair of committees, volunteered at many shows and events.

Example 3:

Training Plan – Six days of concentrated training with regular instructor. Horse was boarded at trainer’s barn and applicant traveled to and from the barn each day.  Schedule included:

• Pilates and exercising each morning
• One lesson on applicant’s horse each day
• Lunge lesson on trainer’s horse to work on position
• Cross-training with cavaletti
• Shadowing trainer and taking notes during other lessons
• Videoing each lesson and reviewing at night

Goals – Strengthen bond and trust with horse, improve communication, work on putting all the 3rd Level movements together, set reasonable goals for the show season.

Volunteer Work – Member of GMO’s Board of Directors for several years, committee Chair, volunteered at many shows and events, volunteered at Regional competitions.