2022 George Williams Young Professional Grant Fund Recipient: Jaclyn Pepper-Millard (CA)
To everyone involved with The Dressage Foundation who made this incredible opportunity a reality:
Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart for providing these life-changing grants and educational opportunities to our community. I just returned home from the most inspiring week of training with Sabine Schut-Kery at The Palms Equestrian Center in San Marcos, CA. Without the support from TDF and everyone that donates to make these grants possible, I would not have been able to have this intensive training experience.
It was so incredible to be a student for an entire week. To be able to truly focus on my own education and fully immerse myself in Sabine’s program for a whole week was just amazing. I am usually so busy training horses, teaching lessons, and running a barn all day that having the opportunity to slow down and really let my lessons sink in day after day was wonderful. Not only did I get to ride both Ellie (7-year-old, KWPN mare, 4th Level) and Cooper (13-year-old Hanoverian, Intermediate 2) with Sabine each day for five days, but I was also able to listen to her other lessons, watch her ride her top horses, and even witness her lessons with Christine Traurig. What an absolute treat it was to be surrounded by such top-quality riding and training every day!
During my training, we focused intensely on the basics, which we all know are the hardest part of it all! True straightness, suppleness, and access to the horses’ rideability are so important. I came away from these training sessions inspired and wanting more. Sabine also gave me great exercises to use at home. What I love the most is how much this has not only benefited myself and the horses I took with me on this trip, but it has deeply benefited every single horse and rider in my program. Sabine is such a talented trainer in all aspects and her love for the horses truly shines in everything that she does. I only hope that one day I can be half the rider, trainer, and horsewoman that she is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone involved in making this incredible opportunity a reality for me. You not only helped a young professional who is so hungry to learn and get better, but you also helped a barn full of horses and riders who are also dedicated to this fantastic sport.
With so much love and thankfulness,
-Jaclyn Pepper-Millard
Jaclyn plans to use the remaining Grant funds to attend the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program.
Jaclyn sharing the love of horses with her nephew and niece!
