December 5, 2018 – The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that a new Grant Fund has been established by friends and colleagues of George Williams, to honor his years of dedication and service to the US dressage community.
Wanting to honor Williams’ lifelong commitment to the sport and acknowledge his nine years as President of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), Janna Dresing, Dr. Jeni Gaffney and Gardy Bloemers initiated the idea of this Fund. Dresing shared, “We felt that George has given so much to the dressage community in all of his roles within the USDF, and that creating a scholarship in his name would help honor his commitment to the sport. Through the generosity of the inaugural donors we are able to do something meaningful for the sport in his name.”
Williams was surprised with the news of the Fund at the USDF Salute Gala on December 1st. After the announcement, he said, “I am honored to have a Grant Fund in my name, which will have a goal of helping up-and-coming young equestrians. Thank you to all the donors."
TDF’s President and CEO, Beth Baumert, shared, “Those of us who hold USDF dear will never forget George's many years of wise and steady leadership. His contribution to dressage is impossible to calculate, and he set a fine example for us all. It seems very fitting that this Fund will continue beyond his tenure, giving in his honor.”
The Fund’s inaugural donors would like to invite others who admire Williams to make a donation to the Grant Fund. One of the inaugural donors, Gardy Bloemers, has generously offered to match the next $5,000 that is donated to the George Williams Fund.
Donations can be made by credit card on TDF's website or by calling TDF’s office at (402) 434-8585. Donations by check can be mailed to TDF’s office at 1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508.
TDF’s Board of Directors and staff will work with Williams to establish the Fund’s specific purpose and guidelines. Grants will be awarded to support the US dressage community.
We would like to thank the Fund's donors (listed below as of 12/27/2018). Inaugural Fund Donors are marked with *:
Fund Originators: Janna Dresing*, Dr. Jeni Gaffney/The Visiting Vet*, Gardy Bloemers*
Eva-Maria Adolphi
Sara Anderson
Sue Anderson*
Carl and Kimberly Apicella*
Beth and Alan Baumert
Molly Bennett Lane
John and Lynn Boomer
Arielle Brodkey*
Anne Chapin*
Joan Clay
Kathy Connelly*
Dr. Laurie Cook*
Phoebe Crane*
Rhonna and Andy Crook
Emily Donaldson
KC Dunn
Barbara Evensen Tuskas
Fern Feldman
Janet Foy
Mark Arnold Fredrickson
Richard Freeman
Joan Gariboldi DVM*
Susan Ginise and Family*
Lisa Gorretta/The Paddock Group LLC*
Nancy Gorton/Pine Hill Farm*
Sarah Harms*
Mariye Inouye
Angela Jackson*
Ken, Jane and Callie Jones*
Kentucky Dressage Association*
Jeffrey and Linda Kimbell*
Jack and Heidi Kohl*
Martin and Kate Kuhn
Amy Lewis*
Bettina Longaker*
Marianne Ludwig
Janine Malone*
Alice Martin
Jane McKean*
Julie McKean*
Michelle Morehead*
Lynn Noyes*
Anke Ott
Heather Petersen*
Dr. Anne Ramsay
Laurie Saldana Rich*
Bob Smith/Hampton Meadows Farm*
Charles and Joann Smith/Gypsy Woods Farm*
Vicki Tifft*
Francis Williams
Sydney Williams
Yang Yamazaki Donor Advised Fund*
For more information about this Fund contact Jenny Johnson at (402)434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org.
Photo by Susan J Stickle
