Cyndi Craig - Legacy Society Member & Donor for 9 Years

Photo by Moonfyre Photography

I have been an avid student of dressage since the early 1980s. I discovered dressage when I got back into horses after college and have been taking dressage instruction and competing ever since. In the early years, it was mostly the blind leading the blind, as there were very few people who knew much about dressage in back then. Decades later, I am tickled and amazed at both the number and quality of instructors, and the increase of competition at upper levels, and the quality of riding I see now.

These advances are not possible without education. And that is where The Dressage Foundation comes in.

I received the Gifted Grant for amateurs in 2010 for which I will always be grateful. In addition to the funding to underwrite some serious instruction, it was also an acknowledgement that my dreams and goals mattered. That amateurs, with no goals other than that of the pure joy of learning to be better partners with our horses, are a valid part of the dressage community.

Because I believe in The Dressage Foundation’s mission of education for everyone – Olympic hopefuls and amateurs alike, I started donating a small amount monthly, which is drafted from my bank account. And, when it came time to update my Will, I wanted The Dressage Foundation to be a beneficiary. I may not be able to donate huge amounts in my lifetime, but my assets could make a real difference after I am gone.

I have The Dressage Foundation listed as a beneficiary of my 401K and also have left them some real estate in my Will. To avoid going through probate and convey property according to your wishes after your death, make sure each bank account, or investment account has a person or a charity designated as a beneficiary of your account. You can bequeath all the funds to a single person or charity, or designate a percentage divided to go to different entities. And you can change the percentages, or the beneficiaries, any time you would like.

Although American dressage has advanced leaps and bounds in the last few decades, each generation needs its own mentors, educators and competitors. And we need money to invest in those people who will continue to educate, inspire and improve American dressage for us all.

Please consider helping further The Dressage Foundation’s mission by including them in your estate planning.