The Dressage Foundation (TDF) offers a variety of grants to help fund educational events across the country and has awarded nearly $45,000 for events in 16 states and Puerto Rico so far in 2022. An estimated 225+ riders and 350+ auditors have taken part or will take part in these TDF-supported events.
Thanks to the many generous donors throughout the years, TDF has been able to support a variety of educational opportunities for riders, instructors, and judges of different levels and in areas throughout the country. Some of the grants awarded in 2022 include support for camps for adult amateurs, biomechanics seminars, clinics/workshops for riders of all ages and levels, USDF’s Jr/YR Clinic Series, and the 2023 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program. Additionally, for the first time in its history, TDF has awarded a grant to a dressage club in Puerto Rico. The Hacienda Siesta Alegre Equestrian Center received $1,000 from the Michael Poulin Fund to host a clinic and schooling show in October.
“We are very grateful for the financial support of TDF’s Violet Hopkins Fund for GMO Events. We appreciate the financial support of TDF and how it impacted our ability to complete our goal to offer an informative, enjoyable symposium for our participants,” said Maureen Mestas, President of Dressage Club of New Mexico.
Grants are available year-round for USDF Group Member Organizations (GMOs), non-profits, and other equestrian organizations to host events in 2022 and beyond. Applications for these grants are due to TDF at least 90 days prior to the event.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted a Western Dressage Clinic with a grant from the Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund.
Dancing Horse Fund: For non-profit groups to hold musical freestyle clinics and seminars or to purchase sound systems to use for freestyle events.
Dreitzler International Clinician Fund: Provides financial support for equestrian organizations, dressage clubs, and owners of private facilities who are hosting educational events with clinicians from countries outside of the United States.
Edgar Hotz Judges Education Fund: Provides support to USDF GMOs for the “Continuing Education for Judges and L Program Graduates” program. (Apply through USDF at least 60 days prior to the event.)
Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund: The goal of this Fund is to provide grants for equestrian groups to host affordable, high-quality Western Dressage educational events.
Max E. Gahwyler Instructor Education Fund: Grants are available for equestrian organizations, dressage clubs, or owners of private facilities who are hosting educational events for dressage instructors, including the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program.
Michael Poulin Dressage Fund: For non-profit groups or individuals to host an event that will improve the quality of dressage in their area through riding, training, instructing, or judging.
Oregon Dressage Society Linda S. Acheson Fund: Provides grants to ODS, ODS Chapters, and ODS Committees that are organizing educational events which will benefit the Oregon dressage community and help further the mission of the Oregon Dressage Society.
Sally Swift Fund for Centered Riding Clinics: For non-profit groups to organize a Centered Riding© clinic.
Violet Hopkins Fund for GMO Events: For USDF GMOs to host a variety of educational events, such as camps, symposia, and seminars for riders of all ages and levels.
Grand Valley Dressage Society, a chapter of Rocky Mountain Dressage Society, hosted a clinic with a grant from the Violet M. Hopkins Fund.
For more information, please contact Sara Weiss, TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, at sara@dressagefoundation.org or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
To donate to any of these Funds, contact Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org. Secure online donations can also be made at 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.
