TDF's Riding School Fund

The goal of the Riding School Fund is to encourage the continuation of riding schools/lesson programs to help make the sport of dressage more accessible. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to support expenses such as horse care, rider safety, educational opportunities, and capital improvements to the riding facility.

Amount of Grant: $3,000

Application Deadline: October 5

The Dressage Foundation recognizes the importance of riding schools in introducing the art of dressage to students. As riding schools across the country are closing their doors, TDF hopes that the Riding School Fund can help support these pillars of the dressage community.  

Applicant Requirements:

• Riding school/lesson program must have been in operation for at least one year as of the application deadline date.
• Riding school/lesson program must have at least two lesson horses (not owned by students) that are used primarily for dressage riding lessons.
• Show they maintain high standards of care to ensure lesson horses are healthy, comfortable, and suitable for teaching riders.
• Preference is given to riding schools and/or lesson programs that provide beginner dressage lessons.
• Have at least, on average, five students per week.
• Prioritize student safety through appropriate horse/rider pairings, qualified instruction, and sound safety practices.
• Must show financial need for this grant.

 Additional Grant Information:

• Grant funding can be spent no sooner than two months after the application deadline date.
• Funding cannot be used for housing/mortgage payments, facility rental, staffing, or insurance payments.  
• The recipients of these grants must use the funds within one year of the date of the award.  
• Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of dressage industry leaders. 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 candidate has met the criteria.   
• If the grant recipient is unable to use the funding specified in their 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. 
• At this time, this grant may only be received once.  
• The Dressage Foundation feels strongly that this grant should be based on merit and need. If your financial situation permits you to pursue these goals without the help of TDF, we urge you to allow others who are not in that position to apply.

Reporting Information: 

• For all grant recipients, a final report must be submitted after the grant funding has been used. This final report must include a line-item budget (with receipts), photos, and a short report on how the funding has made a difference for your riding school/lesson program.  

History of the Riding School Fund:

In response to feedback from the dressage community regarding the loss of riding schools across the country, TDF’s Board of Directors and staff began researching this concern. A nationwide survey of riding school owners, instructors, and others involved in lesson programs was conducted in 2025, and the results not only brought to light concerns about increasing costs and sustainability of lesson programs, but also real ways that TDF could help. Taking these suggestions into consideration, TDF’s Board of Directors committed to establishing a Grant Fund for riding schools/lesson programs.

In 2025, with a seed donation from TDF Director Emeritus Ralph Dreitzler, the Riding School Fund was created. The first grants from this Fund will be awarded in 2026.