The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that five “Lynn Palm Future Star Awards” were presented to three junior riders at the 2026 Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) World Championship Show. These $500 awards are given to the high-scoring junior riders at each WDAA level from Intro through Level 3, and they support continuing education in Western dressage.
Congratulations to Pierce Parks (TX) and TWF Candy Coated, recipients of the Intro and Basic Level Awards; Sage Smith (OK) and RHRGV Crickets Song, recipients of the Level 1 Award; and Paetyn Gilliam (TX) and Harry Winston, recipients of the Level 2 and Level 3 Awards.
Paetyn Gilliam, Photo provided by WDAA
Pierce Parks, Photo provided by WDAA
Sage Smith, Photo provided by WDAA
Sage said, “I’m incredibly grateful to receive The Dressage Foundation’s Lynn Palm Future Star Award. This award will help support my training in Florida this winter, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue learning and improving as a rider.”
Lynn Palm said, “This year's WDAA World Show was unique for me as I judged and was able to see firsthand the numbers of junior riders as well as the level of competition. I am pleased to share that both have increased. The future for young riders in this discipline is promising!”
Established in 2021, the Lynn Palm Future Star Awards provide promising youth riders with the opportunity to continue their Western dressage training and education. They are awarded annually at the WDAA World Championship Show.
The Dressage Foundation also offers grants to individual Western dressage riders and to groups hosting educational events. For more information on Western dressage grants and awards at The Dressage Foundation, contact Sara Weiss at sara@dressagefoundation.org or (402) 434-8585, or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
Donations to support Western dressage at The Dressage Foundation are welcome. For more information or to donate, contact Jenny Johnson at jenny@dressagefoundation.org or (402) 434-8585.
About 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, and nonprofit equestrian organizations. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
About Lynn Palm
Palm's career highlights include 2007 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horsewoman of the Year, a record four AQHA Superhorse wins, AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women's Athletic Association, named one of the top United States clinicians by Horse & Rider magazine, over 34 AQHA World and Reserve World Champions, 7 WDAA World Championships and over 50 bridleless dressage exhibitions at events including the National Horse Show, 1989 World Cup, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and World Cup. Palm and Cyril Pittion-Rossillon are co-founders of three horse industry companies: Palm Partnership Training, Women LUV Horses, and Alliance Saddlery USA. Palm is the author of “The Rider’s Guide to Real Collection” and “Your Complete Guide to Western Dressage.”
