| NEWS FROM THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION
The Dressage Foundation
DRESSAGE GRANTS FOR ADULT AMATEURS ANNOUNCED |
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November 2004 -- Nine amateur dressage riders have been named 2004 recipients of The Dressage Foundation's Gifted Fund scholarships. The amateurs, representing each of the nine USDF regions, will receive grants of $500 to use for intensive dressage training. The Gifted Fund enables adult amateurs to set aside time for concentrated training, away from the pressures of job and family.
The Gifted Fund was established through The Dressage Foundation by Olympic rider Carol Lavell and is named for her wonderful horse, Gifted. The grants are specifically designated to "provide funding support for adult amateur dressage riders who are working to sharpen their skills." Nine riders are selected annually from applications and recommendations received by The Dressage Foundation.
The 2004 recipients include:
USDF Region 1 -- Beth Ann Adams (PA) of the Eastern States D&CTA. Beth Ann intends to train with Gabriel Armando. Her volunteer activities include scribing for FEI classes and CDIs, organizing assignments for ESDCTA, writing articles for her GMO newsletter, serving on the ESDCTA volunteer committee and helping with her granddaughter’s pony club.
USDF Region 2 -- Jenny Schmitt (WI) of the Wisconsin D&CTA (Eastern chapter). Jenny is opting to broaden her knowledge by attending the national symposium and trainers' conference. Her volunteer activities include four years as secretary of her group, historian for state GMO, show secretary for schooling shows, and organizer of ride and review clinics.
USDF Region 3 -- Cathy Cottrill (FL) of the Southwest Florida Dressage Association and the Alpha Dressage Association. Cathy hopes to train in the spring 2005 with Linda Alicki or Patrick Burssens. A GMO Volunteer of the Year award winner, Cathy has edited her GMO newsletter since 1974 and writes for national equestrian publications.
USDF Region 4 -- Laurie Ryan (MO) of the Heartland Sporthorse Association and the Ozark Dressage Society. Laurie hopes to train with Sabine Schut-Kery. Her volunteer activities include competition manager, past president and vice president of ODS, newsletter editor for Heartland Sporthorse and committee chair for the Max Gahwyler symposium.
USDF Region 5 -- Christian Hawley (CO) of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society (Foothills chapter). Christian wants to focus on collection and upper level movements with Kathleen Raine. Christian's volunteer activities include helping at local shows, organizing shows, writing for local news and creating the chapter volunteer reward program.
| USDF Region 6 -- Vanessa Becker (OR) of the Oregon Dressage Society.
Vanessa plans a concentrated week with Lorraine Chappell of British
Columbia. Her volunteer activities include assisting with her GMO chapter
clinics and working on the office and grounds committees of local
competitions.
USDF Region 7 -- Laura Andrade (CA) of the California Dressage Society ( San Diego chapter). Laura hopes to train with Jane Weatherwax. Her volunteer experience includes competition volunteer (scribe, gate, ring steward and runner), giving talks and demos about basic dressage for 4-H and writing for the USDF Connection. | 
Vanessa Becker (ODS) and Chamira competing at the 2004 Champagne Classic in Training Level Test 4 class. |
USDF Region 8 -- Sue Storbeck (MA) of the New England Dressage Association. Sue plans an intensive work schedule with her trainer to enable her to move to higher level of riding. Her volunteer work includes FEI level scribe, interacting in French and German with foreign judges, NEDA Fall show committee volunteer, and NEDA board member.
USDF Region 9 -- Katherine Caballero (TX) of the Dallas Dressage Club. Katie hopes to do some concentrated training with Pam Fowler-Grace. Her volunteer activities include volunteer coordinator for Dallas Dressage Club, developing volunteer program for DDC schooling shows and clinics, year-end awards volunteer and fund-raising for the 2004 Region 9 championships.
Upon completion of their training, recipients are required to write a report about the experience to share some of what was learned with the dressage community. The reports will be posted on The Dressage Foundation website. Reports from 2003 recipients are currently available on the website at www.dressagefoundation.org. For the 2005 scholarships, The Dressage Foundation will once again seek nine thinking amateur riders with strong volunteer backgrounds who are eager to spend some concentrated time on their riding. Applications will be available from The Dressage Foundation website or office in March 2005. The Dressage Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, whose mission is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of Dressage. For more information contact the Foundation at 130 North Tenth, Lincoln, NE 68508; phone: 402/434-8585; or email to john@dressagefoundation.org. Visit our website at www.dressagefoundation.org.