Carolyn Van Cise Fund for Michigan Youth and Young Adults

The Carolyn Van Cise Fund for Michigan Youth and Young Adults grant is awarded annually to a youth or young adult rider who is a current Michigan resident. This $1,000 grant can be used to cover the recipient’s expenses associated with attending a specific educational dressage or eventing event (Western dressage riders are welcome to apply). 

Amount of Grant: $1,000 

Application Deadline: February 10 

The Carolyn Van Cise Fund was established in 2014 in memory of Carolyn, who was active in Michigan's dressage community for many years as a trainer, instructor, judge, and mentor. Grant recipients should best exemplify the qualities that Carolyn found most important in life, including good sportsmanship. 

Applicant Requirements: 

Applicant must: 

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. 
• Reside in the state of Michigan. 
• Be under the age of 25 as of December 1 of the current year.    
• Be an active GMO member for at least six months before applying. 
• Demonstrate positive sportsmanship, good horsemanship, respect for fellow riders, officials, trainers, and horses, dedication to academic education, and commitment to advancing in dressage through training.  
• Have a detailed and attainable training plan. 

Additional Grant Information: 

• Training or event funded by this grant can start no sooner than two months after the application deadline date.  
• Funding cannot be used for competition entries, vet and/or farrier expenses, or the purchase of a horse or equipment.  
• The recipients of these grants must use the funds within one year of the date of the award.  
• Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of professionals and experienced amateurs. The applications and discussions of the selection committee are confidential, and their decisions are final.  
• The selection committee reserves the right not to award a grant in any given year if they determine that no candidate has met the criteria.   
• If the grant recipient is unable to attend the event/training specified in their application, The Dressage Foundation must be notified as soon as possible. Approval for a change in the use of funds is at the discretion of The Dressage Foundation and the grant selection committee. 
• This grant may not be received in consecutive years. 

Reporting Information: 

• For all recipients, 75% of grant funds will be paid prior to the recipient’s departure for training; 25% will be paid after the applicant has completed training and has submitted a training and financial report to The Dressage Foundation. 
• The recipients of the grants are required to provide a training and financial report of their experience to The Dressage Foundation. The reports may be written, video, photo journal, or in other ways pre-approved by The Dressage Foundation. The report is due within two months following the completion of the training. 
• Throughout their training, recipients are encouraged to share training/event updates with The Dressage Foundation via email or tag The Dressage Foundation on social media.   

History of the Carolyn Van Cise Fund

The Carolyn Van Cise Fund was established by Carolyn’s friends and family to benefit youth and young adult riders from Michigan. Dressage was Carolyn's passion and she was a role model for those she knew. In addition to serving in many capacities for the Midwest Dressage Association, including President, Carolyn was also very active in her community and church. Carolyn passed away on March 31, 2014.