Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund for Individuals

Photo courtesy of Lynn Palm

The purpose of the Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund for Individuals is to support Western Dressage riders to receive additional training, outside of the horse and rider’s typical training plan (clinics, camps, additional lessons) in Western Dressage.  

Amount of Grant: $1,000 

Application Deadline: July 20 

The Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund was established in 2019 by Lynn in celebration of her 50 years as a professional equestrian and to give back to the sport she loves.  Lynn believes that the classical training principles of dressage are applicable and beneficial to all levels of riders, breeds of horses, and riding disciplines.    

Applicant Requirements: 

Applicant must: 

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident 
• Be a member of the Western Dressage Association of America AND a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (Subscriber or Competing Member). 
• Be a dressage professional, adult amateur (within the meaning of USEF Article GR1306), or youth rider.  
• Show a passion for Western Dressage, be eager to grow and improve, and demonstrate a commitment to learning.  
• Show financial need for a grant.  
• Own or lease the horse being used for training.  

Additional Grant Information: 

• Training funded by this grant can start no sooner than two months after the application deadline date.  
• Funding cannot be used for competition entries, vet and/or farrier expenses, or the purchase of a horse or equipment.  
• 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 attend the event/training 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.  
• An individual can only receive a grant from this Fund 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 other riders who are not in that position to apply.

Reporting Information: 

• For all recipients, 75% of grant funds will be paid prior to the recipient’s departure for training; 25% will be paid after the applicant has completed training and has submitted a training and financial report to The Dressage Foundation. 
• The recipients of the grants are required to provide a training and financial report of their experience to The Dressage Foundation. The reports may be written, video, photo journal, or in other ways pre-approved by The Dressage Foundation. The report is due within two months following the completion of the training. 
• Throughout their training, recipients are encouraged to share training/event updates with The Dressage Foundation via email or tag The Dressage Foundation on social media.   

About Lynn Palm:

Lynn Palm's career highlights include the 2007 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horsewoman of the Year, a record four AQHA Superhorse wins, AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women's Athletic Association, named one of the top United States clinicians by Horse & Rider magazine, over 34 AQHA World and Reserve World Champions, 7 WDAA World Championships, over 50 bridleless dressage exhibitions at events including the National Horse Show, the 1989 World Cup, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and World Cup. Palm and Cyril Pittion-Rossillon are co-founders of three horse industry companies: Palm Equestrian Academy, Women LUV Horses, and Alliance Saddlery USA. Palm is the author of “The Rider’s Guide to Real Collection” and “Your Complete Guide to Western Dressage.”