Scholarships
All members are encouraged to utilize and benefit from the scholarships, grants and programs offered by HDS, USDF and The Dressage Foundation. They are for YOU!
If you feel unsure about applying, feel free to ask questions. Application forms and full details/criteria can be found on the relevant websites. If you have questions, contactHDS Clinics/Education/Scholarships Chair, who can point you in the right direction.
Please Note – This list contains only the basic eligibility criteria. Click on the scholarship titles for full criteria, details and forms.
| Scholarship | Sponsor | Purpose | Funding | Eligibility * |
| Joe R. Bushager Memorial Grant | Houston Dressage Society | To encourage talented, promising and dedicated riders in their pursuit of Dressage training | At least $500, but can be as much as $2,000, depending on number of HDS Horse & Rider registrations | Any HDS member in good standing (HDS Board Members not eligible) |
| Olympic Dream Program | The Dressage Foundation | To enhance Advanced Young Riders’ understanding of Dressage theory through a European tour. This program sends four top Young American Dressage Riders to Europe for a two-week introduction to European Dressage trainers, riders, facilities and events. | The program costs approx $30,000 each year. | USDF Advanced Young Riders, 16-21 years of age, and 22 year-old graduates of the Advanced Young Rider Program, who are riding at Fourth Level or above |
| USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Clinic Series | The Dressage Foundation and USDF | To conduct clinics with high level trainers | Nine clinics conducted by USDF each year (one in each USDF Region) made possible by $25,000 annual grant to USDF | Young Dressage Riders, between the ages of 14 and 21, currently riding at Third Level or above |
| USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program | The Dressage Foundation and USDF/USEF | To help Young Rider graduates learn how to make a successful career in the adult equestrian world | Weekend classroom educational seminar made possible by $15,000 funding grant | Young Rider graduates |
| Michael Poulin Dressage Fund | The Dressage Foundation | For programs and projects that enhance the quality of Dressage in the US, through any of its component disciplines – riding, competing, training, instructing and judging | Varying amounts (past grants ranged from $6,500 to $7,950) | Young Riders with bold, creative, innovative ideas for the improvement and strengthening of Dressage. Collaborative efforts encouraged. |
| Carol Lavell Gifted Fund | The Dressage Foundation | To enable Adult Amateurs to set aside quality-time in concentrated training with a horse they own, away from daily pressures of job and family. | Annual award of nine scholarships @ $900 each | Adult Amateurs |
| Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship | The Dressage Foundation | To study abroad to improve teaching and training | $6,000 annual award | Dressage Instructor, especially those in the USDF Certified Pool, Training thru Fourth Level |
| Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors | The Dressage Foundation | To benefit Dressage Instructors – a new program | Ten annual grants of $1,000 each | USDF GMOs for Instructor education |
| USDF Region 9 Annual Prize for Dressage Teaching Excellence | The Dressage Foundation | New program to recognize and honor excellence in the teaching of Dressage – details to be posted soon | $5,000 annual award | USDF Region 9 Dressage Instructor |
| Edgar Hotz Judges Endowment Fund | The Dressage Foundation and USDF | Provides financial support to the USDF Continuing Education for Judges and USDF ‘L’ Program Graduates | $800 annual award, one in each USDF Region | Judges and USDF ‘L’ Program Graduates |
| Violet M. Hopkins Fund | The Dressage Foundation | To conduct educational clinics and seminars for Dressage Riders at all levels | Twenty to thirty GMO clinics each year, at an approximate total cost of $35,000 annually | USDF GMOs |
| The Dancing Horse Fund | The Dressage Foundation | To promote participation in, and improve the quality of Musical Freestyle at all levels of Dressage | Grants | Any Equestrian group |
| Founders’ Endowment Fund | The Dressage Foundation | To help provide training scholarships for Adult Amateurs, and Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors | Grants | Adult Amateurs and Dressage Instructors |
| The Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize | The Dressage Foundation | For coaching and training to a talented, committed, qualified rider whose plan is to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high performance Dressage | $25,000 annual grant | High Performance Dressage riders |
| Anne Barlow Ramsay Charitable Remainder Unitrust | The Dressage Foundation | To provide upper level European training for American bred horses | $25,000 annual grant | High Performance Dressage riders |
| The Century Club | The Dressage Foundation | To honor horse and rider teams whose combined ages add up to 100 years or more. | Plaque | Pair rides a test at any level, at a Dressage show or event, with test papers signed by the participating judge |
| USDF Regional Youth Team Championships Grants | USDF | To support funding for youth team championships. | $1,000 for each USDF Region | Regional Directors and the Youth Council coordinator may divide funds at their discretion. |
| USDF Adult Team Competitions Grants | USDF | To fund adult camps or GMO education programming | $500 for each USDF Region | Awarding of grant funds is at the discretion of the Regional Director and Adult Education Council coordinator |
| USDF Youth Education Grant Program | USDF | To provide financial assistance to help USDF regions and GMOs provide educational opportunities for youth involved in dressage | $750 for each USDF Region | Awarding of grant funds is at the discretion of the Regional Director and Youth Council coordinator |
| USDF Adult Education Grant Program | USDF | To provide financial assistance to help USDF regions and GMOs provide educational opportunities for adults involved in dressage | $1500 for each USDF Region | Awarding of grant funds is at the discretion of the Regional Director and Adult Education Council coordinator |
| Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grants | USDF | Opportunity to attend the annual convention, in honor of long-time USDF employee, Ruth Arvanette, who passed away in 2000 from a battle with cancer. | Reimbursement for up to $500 for airfare, half the cost of lodging for up to five nights, complimentary full convention registration |
For scholarship information or assistance, please contact:
HDS Clinics/Education/Scholarships Chair
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