The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce Robin Birk (PA) as the recipient of this year’s Shannon Foundation Fund for Judges’ Licensing. Robin is currently an ‘r’ (recorded) judge and will use this grant of $2,500 to help support the apprentice and exam sessions as she trains for ‘R’ (registered) judging status. Robin plans to apprentice at shows across the United States to prepare for her exam.
Robin said, “I am truly honored to receive this grant from TDF. I am thankful to all that have made donations to this wonderful Foundation. This grant will allow me to complete training for my ‘R’ dressage judges license and will provide monetary support towards this endeavor in a financially challenging year. I am beyond blessed and grateful and will use my education to promote dressage through the honor of judging.”
The Shannon Foundation Board of Directors, at the request of dressage professional Julie Shannon (GA), established these grants at TDF in 2016. As a successful instructor and trainer, Julie saw the need to help dressage judges who are interested in moving up the levels, to create a strong pipeline of judges in the United States. The purpose of the Shannon Foundation Fund for Judges’ Licensing is to provide financial support for dressage judges to participate in activities related to obtaining a judging license of ‘recorded’ (small r) or higher.
Applications for the Shannon Foundation Fund grants must be submitted to The Dressage Foundation on or before March 15th of each year. For more information about this Fund, please contact Sara Weiss, Director of Grants and Programs, at sara@dressagefoundation.org or at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high-performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
Photo Provided by Tara Jelenic
