Thanks to the generosity of Margaret Duprey and her Cherry Knoll Farm, The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is thrilled to secure the future of its Young Rider Dream Program through Duprey’s “Matching Grant Challenge.”
At the completion of the challenge on December 31, 2023, a total of $87,234 was donated by 117 donors from across the country. With Duprey’s dollar-for-dollar match, the grand total raised is $174,468. This will secure the program for years to come and will allow the program to return to the CHIO Aachen in the near future.
Since its beginning in 2000, the Young Rider Dream Program has given young riders the chance to be immersed in the international dressage scene in Europe or Wellington, Florida. Over 82% of the past participants are now dressage professionals. Throughout the years, participants have learned from top riders, instructors, and judges including Carl Hester, Hubertus Schmidt, Kyra Kyrklund, Christoph Hess, Monica Theodorescu, U.S. Olympians Sabine Schut-Kery and Adrienne Lyle, as well as top U.S. sponsors Betsy Juliano and Margaret Duprey herself. Dream Program groups have attended the CHIO Aachen, the European Junior/Young Rider Championships, and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
Duprey believes that the Program has the power to instill dreams, confidence, and success in young U.S. riders.
She said, “The Dream Program is a great opportunity for young adults to be able to learn from the dressage community all around the world. These young riders are the future of the dressage world, and what a way for them to see, speak with, and talk with top trainers and sponsors.”
Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, said, “Fundraising toward Margaret’s Matching Grant Challenge was a true ‘team effort’ and we are so grateful to everyone who stepped up to help. Margaret’s belief in the importance of this program is absolutely incredible, and we are proud to have her support.”
More information about TDF’s Young Rider Dream Program can be found at:
https://www.dressagefoundation.org/grants-and-programs/apply/young/dream.html
For more information about The Dressage Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org or contact Executive Director Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@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 by Annan Hepner
