The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that two grants have been awarded from its George Williams Young Professional Fund. The recipients, Brittany Stanley (MD) and Mimi Stanley (ND), will each receive $5,000 for continuing education opportunities that will enable them to provide high-quality instruction to their students.
The George Williams Young Professional Fund was established in 2018 by Williams’ friends and colleagues to honor his lifelong commitment to dressage. The Fund supports dressage professionals, aged 25-35, who are committed to the sport and have established businesses as instructors and trainers.
Brittany Stanley is a member of the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association and a past participant in Dressage4Kid's Winter Intensive Training Program. After working in Denmark for several years, Brittany became assistant trainer to Michael Bragdell at Hilltop Farm and launched her own business, Stanley Sporthorses, also based out of Hilltop. With her grant, Brittany plans to participate in the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program and take lessons (both in-person and virtual) with Olivia LaGoy-Weltz.
Photo by Bethany P Photography
Brittany said, “I am deeply honored to be the recipient of a grant from TDF’s George Williams Fund. The opportunity to train Anke Ott-Young's stallion, Fürst Gribaldi, under the instruction of Olivia LaGoy-Weltz represents a significant step in my growth as a dressage rider. I am sincerely grateful for this support that allows me to further my education not only as a rider but also as an instructor. Thank you to The Dressage Foundation, its generous donors, and to Anke and Olivia for making this opportunity possible.”
Mimi Stanley is a member of the Bismarck Horse Club and is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. She has an extensive show career, including a USDF Young Rider Grand Prix Horse of the Year title. She currently co-owns and operates the only primarily dressage barn in the state of North Dakota. With her grant, Mimi plans to take part in the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program, clinic with Lilo Fore, and attend the FEI Trainers' Conference in Florida.
Mimi said, “I'm so grateful for TDF's assistance to continue my education both as an instructor and as an FEI rider. This grant means I can pursue USDF Instructor Education and Certification while still getting training help with my developing horses.”
For more information about this Fund, contact Sara Weiss, Director of Grants and Programs, at (402) 434-8585 or sara@dressagefoundation.org. Applications are due June 1.
TDF welcomes donations to further support young professionals through the George Williams Fund. Gifts can be made online at www.dressagefoundation.org or by calling Jenny Johnson, Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org. Donations by check can be mailed to TDF’s office at 1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508.
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.
