dressage
The Dressage Foundation AWARDS INSTRUCTOR CONTINUING EDUCATION GRANT
T
he Dressage Foundation’s Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund has awarded a $1,250 grant to Mija Paris of Oregon to help her attend the United States Dressage Federation’s Instructor Certification Program. Mija said, “This funding will be used to attend Instructor Certification workshops, and will help expand my dressage education as a rider, trainer, instructor, and judge. It will allow me to access new information to help me develop a more well-rounded knowledge base. In addition, I will be able to pass along the new knowledge I gain to my students.” Maryal Barnett established this Fund in 2007, in order to provide grants for dressage instructor education. Since that time, over $10,000 has been awarded to USDF Group Member Organizations and individual dressage instructors. “We want to encourage dressage instructors and GMOs to take advantage of the grants that are available for furthering instructor education,” said Jenny Johnson, Administrative Director for The Dressage Foundation. “If instructors continue to learn and improve, then
katie Hill
it. The team uniforms and decorations in the barns often show great creativity. Six teams earned wins in their respective divisions—The Leonesses, The Justice League, the CDA Blue Bonnets, the Newberry Kids 2, the Quarterline Quartet, and The Maine Attraction. The Leonesses—Jennifer Salinger riding Leopold, Alexander Dawson on Absolute Dream, Jettke Gray on Sharpies Black Hat, and Devon Gillespie riding My Blew Angel—earned the award for highest overall team score with 257 points. The winner of this year’s Corinne F. Gray Award, named in honor of Lendon Gray’s mother and given to honor those who have dedicated much of their lives to helping children and adults enjoy all aspects of horsemanship, was given to Marie Banks and Alice Peterson. To promote fun, education, and good sportsmanship, awards were given for a variety of things, including best decorated barn, best turnout, best horse care, etc. The Most Determined Rider Award went to Ingrid Slattery. But horses also receive awards. Among this year’s equine winners was the Appaloosa, Danny, for most spots, the 27-year-old Ludwig for most experience, and Tanner for being “the Pony with Personality Plus.” For more information on the Youth Dressage Festival, visit www.dressage4kids.com.
Mija Paris riding 6-year-old Andalusian stallion, Kamiakan.
everyone benefits.” Individual grants range from $500 to $1,500 each and are awarded twice per year. GMOs may apply for financial assistance of up to $1,000 for instructor clinics, and those applications are due at least 90 days prior to the event. For more information please contact Jenny Johnson at 402-434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
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DEBRA L. BALDELLI USDF Certified Dressage Instructor Training � Judging, USDF “L” � Clinics
Telephone: 978.212.5756 Cell phone: 508.259.6423 EMAIL DLBALDELLI@YAHOO.COM
Member, Society of Master Saddlers (UK) september 2011
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