Liz Austin (FL)
Receiving the Michael Poulin Fund grant in 2006 from The Dressage Foundation was such a hugely pivotal moment in my career. After winning the inaugural Brentina Cup on my home-bred, home-trained stallion, Olivier, I was invited to Europe to work with then U.S. Coach Klaus Balkenhol. I had no idea how I would come up with the money (as a 22-year-old!), and so many people stepped in to help and encouraged me to go for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Liz and Olivier at the Brentina Cup in 2006
Photo by Susan J Stickle
To help fund the trip, I applied for TDF’s Michael Poulin Fund grant, which was a bit kismet because Michael had also coached my mom with my stallion’s brother, Zeedijk, to Grand Prix. To receive the support of the Michael Poulin Fund to fuel what became a phenomenal international career for a home-bred horse from Vermont was pretty special.
I have had so many incredible memories since then as a dressage rider and coach. Having the opportunity to train with Carl Hester with both Olivier (thanks again to The Dressage Foundation, this time through their $25,000 Anne Barlow Ramsay Fund grant for U.S.-Bred Horses) and his son, Coltrane, was also a life changing experience.
The education I received from these grants, as well as the opportunity to train with the best our sport has to offer, gave me the confidence and foundation to make my own Grand Prix horses.
As a coach, I had a surreal experience a few years ago when my working student, who came to me a few years prior having only done a handful of flying changes, took my horse, Numberto, to the Brentina Cup and ended up Reserve National Champion. I’ve also coached students to CDI wins, to the U.S. Dressage Finals and many regional awards, as well as have had multiple students in the Emerging Athlete, Young Rider, and Young Horse programs.
But for me, the biggest rewards aren’t the ones that get written about in magazines or on websites. It’s every day, showing up for my students ranging in ages from 15-75, teaching them to be better horsemen, and helping all of the horses along the way. Anyone that knows me knows I have focused on horse welfare and happiness long before it became fashionable to do so, and I absolutely credit experiences made possible through The Dressage Foundation for a strong barometer of right and wrong in the training and care of horses.
