TDF's Para Dressage and Visually Impaired Funds
2018 Para-Dressage Fund Grant Recipient, Dan Mohl.
The Para Dressage Fund provides financial support for Para Dressage riders, riders with disabilities, and Visually Impaired riders. The purpose of this support is for riders to attend educational events such as clinics/seminars at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence, lessons with a trainer of choice, or other educational opportunities that will enable the riders to improve and reach their goals.
Amount of Grant: $1,000
Application Deadline: November 1
Who Can Apply:
- U.S. Equestrian's Developing or Emerging para-dressage athletes. (Riders designated as Elite Athletes by U.S. Equestrian are not eligible.)
- Para Dressage riders who have been classified by US Equestrian or FEI but have not yet been named as a Developing or Emerging athlete (see US Equestrian for descriptions). New Link: https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/para-equestrian/para-equestrian-dressage-programs-forms/para-equestrian-dressage-program-structure-pathways
- Those who have not yet been officially classified as Para Dressage riders by US Equestrian or FEI, but meet International Paralympic Committee eligible impairment types.
- Visually Impaired riders:
- Grants are available for visually impaired dressage riders whose best corrected vision falls within the range of legally blind to fully blind. A letter from a medical professional will be required.
Applicant Requirements:
Applicant must
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Have a detailed and obtainable training plan with clear, well-defined goals.
- Be dedicated to the sport of Para Dressage.
- Demonstrates qualities of horsemanship and sportsmanship.
- Be an ambassador for Para Dressage.
- The selection committee will also take into account:
- Availability of other funding for chosen event/training.
- Accessibility/availability of events in rider’s local area.
- Training plan that is different than the rider’s typical routine and not readily available to the applicant on a regular basis.
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 to not 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 may not receive the grant in consecutive years.
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.
History of the Para Dressage Fund:
Over the past several years, the sport of Para Dressage has grown and welcomed many new athletes. Throughout that time, TDF received requests for support from these riders and proudly announced in 2018 that the TDF Board of Directors developed the Para Dressage Fund through a gift from the Lowell Boomer Family Charitable Remainder Unitrust. TDF will continue its fundraising efforts to ensure that grants for Para Dressage riders are available perpetually.
If you’d like to join us in supporting the growth of Para Dressage in the U.S, please donate today!
