2022 Van Cise Recipient: Autumn Vavrick

Photo by Joanna Jodko

I am so thankful to have been a recipient of the Carolyn Van Cise Memorial Fund Grant and was able to use it to train with Christine Traurig this winter while in Florida! The lessons were focused on maintaining a clear, four beat rhythm in the walk, which is something I constantly have to work on. Christine really helped me improve in this area. 

In addition to this, we worked on the overall straightness and quality of the trot and canter. The lessons with Christine helped me feel incredible things on Dante I haven’t felt before, and we have progressed greatly both in and out of the show ring in such a short time amount of time. Working with Christine was so valuable to my dressage training and a dream come true!  I am very excited to continue on with my 2023 season and all that is to come. I am very grateful for this opportunity that I was able to experience because of The Dressage Foundation! 

Photo by Susan J Stickle