The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that five grants for Western dressage riders have been awarded from TDF’s Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund. This Fund was established in 2019 to initially provide grants for Western dressage educational events and was expanded in 2021 to also provide $1,000 grants to riders for their Western dressage education. 

Youth:

Kyriana Beard (OK): Kyriana has been riding for five years in both classical and Western dressage. She plans on using her grant funding to clinic and take lessons with Marie Maloney and Patty Couch. Kyriana is unable to take regular lessons and is a self-taught Western dressage rider. This grant will give her the opportunity to receive education from professional trainers that would not have been otherwise possible.

Adult Amateurs:

Debra Langdon (AZ): Debra will use grant funding to work with Cliff Swanson. Debra has ridden classical dressage for 20 years, but after the purchase of her recent Quarter Horse, she decided to try Western dressage and it became the ideal fit for her and her horse.

Kelli Wolf (KS): Kelli will use the grant funding to take part in a clinic with Frances Carbonnel and lessons with Gail Matheus. Her training plan is to improve her horse's strength and begin to compete in Level 2.

Micaela Shea (MA): Micaela plans to use her grant funding to study with Rodolfo Lara, to participate in a clinic with Lynn Palm, and take additional lessons with current trainer, Kristen Whittaker. Micaela has been riding since she was a teenager but switched to Western dressage three years ago with her Paint gelding.

Stacy Adams (CO): Stacy started riding classical dressage three years ago after raising, homeschooling, and being a rodeo mom to five kids. She said in her application that it is now "her turn." She started riding Western dressage last year at the suggestion of her trainer and has found it to be a perfect fit. She plans to use her grant funding to train with Simone Windeler.

Lynn Palm said, “I am proud to see that each year the number and quality of applicants is growing for individual grants from the Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund. The financial support of each grant, whether for professionals to teach and train others, amateurs to better themselves from those professionals, or our youth to develop skills for the future, is much needed.  Each recipient's goal may be different, but they all share passion for horses and the eagerness to better themselves. Best of luck to this year's recipients as they use their grants for good!”

Grants from the Lynn Palm Fund will continue to be available for Western dressage clinics, camps, and symposia.  Those applications are due at least 90 days prior to the event.

Applications for the Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund for Individuals are due July 20.  Visit www.dressagefoundation.org for more information and to find the online application form. Contact Sara Weiss, Director of Grants and Programs, at (402) 434-8585 or [email protected] with any questions

Donations to the Fund are welcome and can be made online or by calling Jenny Johnson, Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585 or [email protected].

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 and scholarships 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.”