Louise and Doug Leatherdale
The purpose of the Leatherdale Fund for Trainers of Young Horses is to provide financial assistance for high-quality group educational opportunities for trainers of young dressage horses (specifically ages three to five) in the United States. The objectives of the educational programs should be to promote correct foundational training and long-term, sound development of young horses, and to encourage the development and progress of trainers of young horses.
Application Deadline: At least 75 days before the event
Amount of Grant: Up to $10,000
Applicant Information:
- Applications are accepted from equestrian organizations, dressage clubs, owners of private facilities, etc.
- The focus of the group education event should be for trainers who are currently training or those interested in the training of young horses aged three to five years old.
- Clinicians should be known for developing young horses in a sympathetic, correct manner.
- Grants of up to $10,000 are available. Smaller events, such as private clinics with limited auditors, will most likely be granted $2,000 - $4,000, while symposium-style, multi-day events with auditor involvement may be granted up to $10,000.
- While not required, auditors who have experience or interest in training young horses are highly encouraged and will be considered as part of your application.
Additional Grant Information:
- Grants should only be used to support the educational part of the event or program and should not be used to purchase food, goodie bags, vests/t-shirts, etc.
- Grants may not be used for the organizer to make a profit and will only be provided to the break-even point for selected events. Excess income should be returned to The Dressage Foundation to be put back into the Fund.
- If the grant recipient cannot hold the event or program specified in the application, The Dressage Foundation must be notified as soon as possible. Approval for a change in the use of funds is at the discretion of The Dressage Foundation and the grant selection committee.
- Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of dressage professionals. The applications and discussions of the selection committee are confidential, and their decisions are final.
- The selection committee reserves the right not to award a grant in any given year if they determine that no applicants have met the criteria.
- Organizers/groups can receive a grant only once per calendar year.
Reporting Information:
- For all recipients, 75% of grant funds will be paid prior to the event, 25% will be paid after the event or program, and after The Dressage Foundation receives the evaluations, final budget, and photos from the event.
- The recipients of the grants are required to provide evaluations, a financial report, and photos from their event to The Dressage Foundation.
- The report is due within two months following the completion of the event or program.
- Before and throughout the event or program, recipients are encouraged to share updates with The Dressage Foundation via email or tag The Dressage Foundation on social media.
About the Leatherdale Fund for Trainers of Young Horses:
This Fund was established in 2025 with a gift from Louise Leatherdale. She and her late husband, Doug Leatherdale, were the founders of Leatherdale Farms. The Leatherdale name is highly regarded in the dressage and sport horse breeding communities for their generosity, unwavering passion for the sport, and the horses they have bred and owned. Though Doug passed away on Dec. 6, 2015, Louise is continuing their legacy, providing quality stallions for breeding and supporting their competition horses.
