The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce five recipients from Amelia’s ‘Dressage for All’ Youth Fund, established by FEI trainer and competitor Amelia Newcomb and friends. The goal of this Fund is to recognize and support young dressage riders who love horses, have a passion for the sport, and work hard for opportunities. The inaugural recipients are Harper Cadotte (MD), Grace Davis (CO), Margot Ponita (OH), Lily-Rose Bacon (CA), and Ridge Staner (WI).
Harper Cadotte (age 17) will use her funding to take lessons with her trainer, David Ziegler, on her horses, whom she plans to take to the 2026 Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. She hopes to represent the dressage capabilities and versatility of the Arabian breed at the national level, while pursuing her USDF bronze medal scores and building lasting partnerships with her horses. She said, “As a result of the TDF donors’ generosity, I will be able to further develop as a rider through increased training, while simultaneously educating my two horses, Flame and Rosie, through the levels of dressage.”
Grace Davis (age 20) will use her funding to further her education through clinics with George Williams and Lars Petersen. A USDF bronze and silver medalist, she is currently working with her Thoroughbred, Poseidon, to confirm the Third Level work. Grace aims to bring him to the FEI levels while continuing her education as she prepares to become a professional trainer. She said, “Bringing my Thoroughbred up through the levels over the years has been one of the most challenging yet beautiful life-changing experiences I have had. Receiving this financial opportunity for further education on our unique journey together is a tremendous gift. I feel so lucky to have the support of TDF behind us as I close out my last year as a Young Rider.”
Photo by Susan J Stickle
Margot Ponita (age 15) will use her funding to organize a series of free Youth Dressage Outreach Clinics through her local GMO, the Mid-Ohio Dressage Association. The clinics will welcome emerging riders, younger students, IEA riders, Pony Club riders, and all other youth riders to learn more about dressage. By focusing on these grassroots opportunities, Margot hopes to make dressage more visible and accessible for local youth. She said, “I want to support young riders entering our sport by providing them with free clinics to further their knowledge with different Ohio professionals, while I continue my dressage education as well.”
Lily-Rose Bacon (age 22) will use her funding to train with Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus and Kathleen Raine. A USDF bronze and silver medalist, Lily-Rose has focused closely on starting and developing young horses. She is currently campaigning Jackie’s homebred mare at Second Level, with Third Level on the horizon. Lily-Rose aims to continue gaining experience training young horses as she works toward her goal of becoming an international Grand Prix rider. She said, “I sincerely appreciate TDF’s and Amelia Newcomb’s commitment to shaping young rider involvement in the sport, and I look forward to using this opportunity to further my partnership with Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus’ Nadia MVS.”
Photo by Terri Miller
Ridge Staner (age 13) will use his funding to participate in a Rider Development Program with Anne Cizadlo. The program includes several two-day clinics throughout 2026, where Ridge will continue developing his partnership with his pony, Jersey Girl. A dedicated volunteer, Ridge is regularly involved in organizing local clinics and takes advantage of every opportunity to learn. He said, “I am honored to be selected as a recipient of this grant because it will allow me to further my knowledge in the sport of dressage.”
Photo by Derith Vogt
Amelia Newcomb, founder of the ‘Dressage for All’ Youth Fund, said, “Congratulations to our five grant recipients and thank you to the many riders who applied. Thank you to the generous donors who make these grants possible. What inspires me most is everyone's commitment to learning and giving back to the horse community. My hope for each of you is that you always pursue your dream of becoming a better rider, one ride, one lesson, and one breakthrough at a time. That is what ‘Dressage for All’ is all about."
Beginning in 2026, Amelia’s ‘Dressage for All’ Youth Fund provides five annual $1,000 grants to youth and young adult riders (age 25 and under) who are riding and training any breed of horse at any level, to aid in their development of dressage. Applications are due April 1.
For more information about Amelia’s ‘Dressage for All’ Youth Fund or The Dressage Foundation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org, email info@dressagefoundation.org, or call (402) 434-8585.
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.
