The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2024 Carolyn Van Cise Fund for Michigan Youth and Young Adults grant has been awarded to Paige Comito (MI). Paige was selected as the $1,000 grant recipient as she exemplifies the qualities that were important to Carolyn Van Cise such as sportsmanship, academic achievement, and horsemanship.
Paige was a three-year member and captain of her high school’s equestrian team and is currently a student at Michigan State University. Paige trains with Ellie Vargo and is a member of All Dressage Association and Midwest Dressage Association. Paige will use her grant funding to participate in clinics with Jessica Jo (JJ) Tate and Laurie Moore.
Paige said, “I am incredibly grateful to The Dressage Foundation for awarding me the Carolyn Van Cise Fund grant. Thanks to this grant I have the incredible opportunity to attend intensive clinics, aiding my advancement in the levels of dressage. This generous grant brings me closer to my goals of competing at regional championships and earning my USDF bronze medal, and I cannot thank TDF enough for their support.”
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. On the 10-year anniversary of the Fund, her daughter Carrie Wilson said, “We are amazed that this is the 10-year anniversary of this grant in memory of my mom. This grant brings great joy to me and my family as it gives us a way to see my mom still able to influence, educate, and support the youth in our dressage community. We miss her dearly but are very thankful to TDF for keeping her memory and legacy going.”
For more information about the Carolyn Van Cise Fund or The Dressage Foundation, please contact Sara Weiss at (402) 434-8585, by email at sara@dressagefoundation.org, or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high-performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
