2021 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Recipient: Amelia Newcomb and Harvard
Amelia with Harvard and Kensington
What a difference a year makes!
Last year I was awarded the Carol Lavell Advanced Training Grant from The Dressage Foundation. It was an honor to receive this grant and the funding made a huge difference in allowing me to pursue my education and competition goals.
The grant provided three main accomplishments for me.
Amelia training with Johann Hinnermann
1. Education: I was able to train nearly every single month with Joh Hinnemann. Mr. Hinnemann is an incredibly knowledgeable trainer and horseman. I truly admire his passion for horses and for training. He loves his job and has the ability to focus on the necessary steps to transform a horse and rider in a way that is kind, gentle, and productive for both the horse and the rider. I have learned a ton from Mr. Hinnemann about how to develop and train a Grand Prix horse and I am incredibly grateful for his generosity in sharing this knowledge with me. Some of the very best rides in my life have come from his teaching.
2. Harvard’s training: Over this past year, Harvard has improved by leaps and bounds. Dressage training is a long process, and it takes time for these horses to develop the strength and understanding to perform the Grand Prix movements. Harvard has a lot of talent for the Piaffe and Passage, however, it has taken a long time for him to develop the strength to have more suspension in the Passage. I am happy to say that in my last lesson with Joh, he said to me - “that is it!” And he then reminded me that the Passage used to have pretty much no suspension at all! I plan to move up to the Grand Prix with Harvard in 2023. My dream is to go to Europe next summer to train with Mr. Hinnemann and maybe do a few shows while I am there!
Amelia and Harvard
Photo by Tess Michelle Photography
3. Competition: I was able to qualify and compete with Harvard at the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago at the Developing Grand Prix. My other two horses, Kensington (7-year-old) and Luigi (6-year-old) also qualified. This is a huge accomplishment, and I am so proud of my horses. Qualifying and competing Harvard in Chicago was made possible because of TDF. I am honestly not sure that I would have been able to go without this grant. Competing against the best horses and trainers in the country was incredibly inspiring.
Thank you for all that you do and for the generous support you have given me. I honestly cannot thank TDF enough for believing in me and in my horse and for giving me this incredible opportunity.
