The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that three groups have been awarded grants from TDF’s Michael Poulin Dressage Fund for Innovative Events and Programs.
The purpose of the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund is to provide financial support to organizations to host unique, innovative, collaborative events or programs that work toward advancing dressage through any of its component disciplines, including riding, competing, training, instructing, or judging.
Blind Equestrian Community
The 2025 Michael Poulin Dressage Fund recipients are:
- Blind Equestrian Community (BEC): BEC is a grassroots volunteer organization made up of riders of all levels who are blind. With approximately 25 members, BEC works to bring awareness to the challenges of blind riders and advocates for blind riders in competition and educational settings. BEC received a grant of $4,200 to host a clinic with Michelle LaBarre, specifically for blind riders. Part of the grant funding included support to document and film the clinic to help create a documentary film about the BEC.
- California Western Dressage Association: The CWDA received a $2,200 grant from the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund for their Horse/Human Connection symposium. This two-day symposium aims to delve into how horses think and process information. The symposium is a collaborative effort with a number of speakers, including veterinarians, equine nutritionists, scientists, and trainers, plus hands-on learning.
- USDF Region 4: Through a new judging-focused program, USDF Region 4 intends to encourage the use of 'r' judges at USEF/USDF-recognized shows in their Region, as well as support 'r' judges in their efforts to attain the requirements needed for promotion to 'R'. Funds will be used in two ways: a) for show managers to add ‘r’ judges to competitions, which will give the 'r' judge the opportunity to officiate the specific tests needed for promotion and/or provide the opportunity for them to apprentice with the recognized judge, b) for the use of ‘r’ judges to cover their expenses while gaining judging experience.
Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, said, “The Dressage Foundation would like to congratulate this year’s grant recipients from the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund for Innovative Events and Programs. These three organizations have created unique events that advance dressage and education through different types of events and learning. We hope that other organizations will be inspired by these educational events and consider applying for a TDF grant.”
Grants, such as those from TDF’s Michael Poulin Fund, are available year-round for USDF Group Member Organizations (GMOs), non-profits, and other equestrian organizations to host events and programs in 2025 and beyond. Applications for these grants are due to TDF at least 75 days before the event.
For more information about applying for a grant, please contact Sara Weiss, TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, at sara@dressagefoundation.org or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
To make a donation to The Dressage Foundation, 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 and scholarships to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, and nonprofit equestrian organizations. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
