The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce three grant recipients from its Maryal and Charlie Barnett Continuing Education for Instructors Fund. These recipients will receive grants to be used toward participation in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Instructor/Trainer Development Program.
Katie Erpel (SC), a USDF bronze and silver medalist, will receive a $2,000 grant. She is an active member of the Southern Dressage Alliance. Her goals are to achieve her gold medal, complete the USDF L Education Program, and become a USDF Certified Instructor. Katie hopes to have a stable of schoolmasters to help train the next generation of dressage riders. She wants to become a Certified Instructor to "refine my teaching skills, and provide clear, structured, and systematic instruction to my students."
Photo by Meghan Benge Photography
Nina Halvorson (UT), a member of the Utah Dressage Society, American Quarter Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the Utah Ranch Sorting Association, will receive a $1,500 grant. Nina has a Western background, took traditional dressage lessons, and was "hooked." She now incorporates dressage work into her Western lessons. She wants to become Certified to grow her own knowledge and because she believes that "good dressage fundamentals are important across all disciplines for the betterment of riders, and especially for their horses.”
Photo by The Dust Covered Cowgirl
Shari Wolke (MI), a member of the All Dressage Association, the Midwest Dressage Association, and the American Riding Instructors Association, will receive a $2,000 grant. Shari is the USDF Region 2 Youth Coordinator and a USDF bronze and silver medalist, nearing her gold medal. She also has diplomas from the USDF University up to the Diamond Level. Shari is currently participating in Northern Ohio Dressage Association’s hosting of the Instructor Development program. Shari said, “I couldn’t do this program without the support of TDF, and I’m already seeing an improvement in my teaching and training after attending just one of the three sessions.”
Interested instructors can apply for a grant to attend any portion of USDF’s Instructor/Trainer Development Program, including the workshops, pre-certification, and testing. Barnett Fund grants are awarded twice per year, and the next deadline for applications is July 1, 2026.
For more information about the Maryal and Charlie Barnett Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund or The Dressage Foundation, please contact Sara Weiss, TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, 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.
