How to find funding for your dressage and GMO activities
By Jennifer O. Bryant
Reprinted from the November/December 2023 issue of USDF Connection magazine.
There’s a surprising amount of funding out there for dressage enthusiasts, if you know where to look.
I’m not talking private or corporate sponsorship—although such patronage underwrites a number of horses and riders, especially at the high-performance levels. Instead, I’m referring to established grant programs and funding support that typically is awarded regularly to select qualified applicants.
Whether you’re a member of a USDF group-member organization (GMO) whose club can’t afford on its own to put on an educational event, or a dressage rider whose training goals are a bit out of reach, opportunities exist to seek support. Here’s a rundown of sources worth checking out. Information was current on published sources at press time; verify and read criteria and requirements carefully, including application deadlines.
For the Widest Spectrum of Enthusiasts: The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation (DressageFoundation.org) is the big dog in the world of dressage philanthropy. TDF offers a whopping 27 grants that can be awarded annually, and also maintains eight funds that bestow grants for educational events for which applications can be submitted 90 days prior to the event. Donors or groups of donors establish or give to these funds—and you can do so with confidence: TDF is a Charity Navigator four-star charity with a 100% rating.
Some of TDF’s grants are five-digit sums awarded to high-profile riders and horses, while others are modest amounts earmarked for certain USDF regions or niches within the dressage world. Here’s a synopsis of what’s available. Note that more than one category of dressage enthusiast may meet the eligibility criteria for certain grants, so read application information carefully and contact TDF with questions.
For FEI-level/high-performance pairs
$25,000 Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Annual Grant provides funds for US-bred horses ridden by American citizens to train and compete in Europe or in Wellington, Florida.
$25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize offers financial assistance to talented pairs reaching for the international high-performance level.
$25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders was recently expanded in both dollar amount and geographic area (see p. 14), to those who show potential to succeed at the FEI levels.
$2,500 Patsy Albers Award Fund grant goes to the highest-placing Intermediate I or Grand Prix rider at the US Dressage Festival of Champions who previously competed for the US at an FEI North American Youth Championships.
For adult-amateur riders
Evie Tumlin Memorial Fund for Region 9 Adult Amateurs aids AAs from USDF Region 9 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and most of Texas) in furthering their dressage educations.
Gifted Memorial Fund awards grants to AAs to enable them to set aside time for concentrated training.
Jane Savoie Adult Amateur Fund awards grants to AAs who are riding and training at Fourth Level or Prix St. Georges.
Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund for Individuals offers grants to those who need financial assistance in continuing their education in Western dressage.
Military Grant Fund is a newcomer (see p. 14) that offers financial assistance for dressage education to amateur or youth dressage or para-dressage riders who are current or past US military members or dependents.
Trip Harting Fund for Graduate or Current Pony Club Members offers grants to current or graduate A, B, or C Pony Club riders for attendance at educational events.
For youth and young adults
Amanda Johnson Freestyle Fund for Region 2 and 4 Riders offers grants to eligible young dressage pros aged 20-30 to pay for the costs of creating a professionally prepared dressage freestyle for competition.
Carolyn Van Cise Fund for Michigan Youth and Young Adults offers grants to deserving young dressage riders who exemplify sportsmanship and other principles.
Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development Fund aids riders aged 25 and under in accessing dressage education.
Karen Skvarla Fund for Young Professionals offers grants for training or education by young dressage instructor/trainers.
Young Rider Dream Program is a TDF-funded “dressage dream trip” for five US dressage riders riding at or above Third Level and aged 18-22 to enjoy five days of intensive learning in Wellington, Florida.
In addition, the USDF FEI Youth Clinic Series and the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program are supported by TDF funding. Those wishing to attend the YR Grad Program can apply for additional funding through TDF’s Captain Jack Fritz Grants for the Young Rider Graduate Program.
For para-dressage riders
Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund offers funding to para-dressage riders, including those who are blind or visually impaired, to attend educational events or training opportunities.
For instructor/trainers
George Williams Young Professional Fund offers grants to instructors aged 25-35 with established dressage businesses to obtain instructor/trainer education.
Major Lindgren Instructor Grants offer three grants per year for dressage instructors to train away from home.
Maryal and Charlie Barnett Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors provides funding to attend the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program.
Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award recognizes and honors excellence in dressage teaching by a Region 9 instructor.
Team Tate Mentorship and Leadership Award is a grant for dressage pros to advance their dressage educations or to further their business, leadership, or coaching skills.
Verne Batchelder Instructor Fund is for continued education by dressage pros from USDF Regions 1, 3, or 8.
For sport-horse breeders
US Breeder Excellence Fund enables US breeders to pursue educational opportunities that will advance their careers, promote sound breeding practices, and enhance the quality of American-bred horses.
For dressage licensed officials and show management
Edgar Hotz Judges Education Fund, administered by USDF, provides support to the USDF Continuing Education in Dressage Judging Program.
Lloyd Landkamer Show Management Development Fund provides financial assistance to dressage show managers or secretaries seeking to further their professional development, such as through apprenticeships or seminar attendance.
Shannon Foundation Fund for Judges Licensing offers grants for participating in activities related to obtaining a USEF judging license.
Veronica Holt Dressage Technical Delegate Fund helps to offset the costs of completing a dressage TD’s apprenticeship requirements at competitions or attending required TD clinics.
For dressage educational events
The following TDF grants are intended for use by dressage organizations, including USDF GMOs.
Note: The Edgar Hotz Judges Education Fund (discussed above) can also provide funding support for GMOs that are hosting USDF’s Continuing Education in Dressage Judging Program.
Dancing Horse Fund provides grants toward the advancement of dressage freestyle, including the purchase of sound systems.
Dreitzler International Clinician Fund offers grants to organizations and facility owners that are hosting educational events with non-US-based clinicians.
Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund for Groups supports equestrian groups in hosting Western-dressage educational events.
Michael Poulin Dressage Fund provides funding support for programs and projects that enhance the quality of dressage in the US through “bold, creative, innovative ideas.”
Oregon Dressage Society Linda S. Acheson Fund provides grants to the ODS or its chapters or committees toward the organization of educational events that will benefit the Oregon dressage community and further the ODS’s mission.
Sally Swift Fund for Centered Riding Clinics memorializes the Centered Riding founder with grants to groups hosting Centered Riding clinics.
Violet Hopkins Fund for GMO Events awards grants to GMOs to aid in their hosting dressage educational events.
From GMOs and Youth to Dressage Competitors: USDF Grants
The USDF itself offers grant funding to help offset the costs of some activities.
USDF GMO Education Initiative Grants provide financial support to GMOs hosting qualified dressage educational programs.
Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grant provides funding to help enable a USDF group member to attend the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention.
Youth Convention Scholarship offers funding to help up to four USDF participating members aged 21 or younger to attend the USDF convention.
Ravel Education Grants recognize outstanding sportsmanship by USDF Shining Star Award recipients who are current USDF participating members. Up to four eligible youth per year may each receive a grant toward attendance at a dressage educational event. Recipients also each receive a piece of “Ravel” jewelry from grant supporter Jane Heart Jewelry.
US Dressage Finals Travel Grants help to defray the costs of travel to the annual US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Grant monies are currently available to competitors from 13 states: Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Other Sources of Funding
Listing every source of funding that could potentially aid a dressage rider, a para-dressage rider, or a GMO would require more space than we have available. Know that it can pay to do some sleuthing. Here are some notable examples of programs that have benefited those in our sport.
Intercollegiate Dressage Association (TeamDressage.com) offers IDA Assistance Grants to help new teams and regions, as well as teams having to travel significant distances within their regions, to participate in IDA activities.
Intercollegiate Equestrian Association (RideIEA.org), which includes dressage as a discipline, maintains several funding programs. The IEA Benevolent Fund comprises a Financial Assistance Program to incoming rider members who need help with the costs of IEA competition; and Coaches Assistance Grants to IEA member coaches.
The Muzzy Family/MZ Farms IEA Nationals Travel Grants assist individual qualified riders with the costs of attending the IEA National Finals. Two grants are available for dressage.
IEA Founders College Scholarship Awards are paid to the highest- and second-highest-placing seniors at the IEA National Finals. In 2023, scholarships were available in eight classes at the dressage finals.
US Equestrian (usef.org) provides funding for members of its Emerging, Development, Pre-Elite, and Elite programs, toward participation in programs or Games. Grants are supported by donations to the USEF’s nonprofit arm, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (uset.org).
USEF offers funding support to designated USEF Para-Dressage Centers of Excellence.
For youth members, USEF offers the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship for graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their equestrian involvement in college, through either academic study or equestrian activity. USEF also bestows an annual National Youth Sportsman’s Award comprising two grants. Eligible youth apply to their USEF affiliate organizations (such as USDF), and the affiliate chooses one applicant to put forward for the national award.
USA Equestrian Trust (TrustHorses.org) is a private foundation with a mission of helping to preserve or enhance equestrian sport in the US. It distributes grants only to IRS-registered nonprofit organizations, and several USDF GMOs have received grants in the past.
US Para-Equestrian Association (uspea.org) administers several grants aimed at para-dressage athletes: The Hope Hand Memorial Domestic CPEDI1* Equine Travel Grant, the Hope Hand Memorial US Dressage Festival of Champions Equine Travel Grant, the Jonathan Wentz Memorial Emerging Athlete National Show Grant, the Jonathan Wentz Memorial Initial Classification Travel Grant, and the Meg Mullin Memorial Initial FEI Equine Passport Grant.
US Sport Horse Breeders Association (usshba.org) offers the Breeders Grant, to assist US sport-horse breeders in furthering their educations related to the breeding business.
Veterans Monthly Assistance Allowance Program, administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office, offers a monthly assistance allowance for disabled US armed-forces veterans training in a Paralympic sport (para-dressage is a Paralympic sport). Learn more at USEF Veterans Monthly Assistance Allowance Program.
A number of USDF GMOs also maintain dressage-related grant programs for their members—yet another reason that it can pay to join your local GMO. Consult your GMO’s website to learn what might be available.
Some breed associations offer grants and scholarships that may apply to dressage, as do various state horse councils and agriculture departments. A cursory online search for “sports foundations” turned up a dizzying number of results, some of which may apply to equestrians. And an increasing number of diversity aimed grants are being created to encourage participation in sports by traditionally underrepresented or underfunded demographics, such as persons of color.
Nearly all grants and funding are made possible through the generosity of individual or corporate donors. Some choose to support existing funds, while others endow new programs to aid a cause or to honor or memorialize a significant individual. Most of the charitable organizations named in this article can offer guidance on giving and on potential tax advantages; you may also wish to consult a financial professional.
Do you know of a dressage-related grant or source of funding not mentioned here? Let us know and we may mention it in a future issue. Send your suggestions to jbryant@usdf.org.
Jennifer Bryant is the editor of USDF Connection.
