The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that Michelle Haefer (OR) and Romanesque are the 2024 recipients of the $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders grant. The Debbie McDonald Fund provides funding for high-level training to horse and rider pairs who are training at Prix St. Georges or higher, who show potential to succeed at FEI Levels, and who may not otherwise have the opportunity for the training.
Michelle started her training program, Haefer Dressage in 2021 after being an assistant for Catherine Haddad Staller. Michelle has been developing her own Romanesque, a 13-year-old Oldenburg, since he was six years old. They are currently training at Grand Prix. Michelle and Romanesque will use the grant funding to train with Olympians Charlotte Bredahl and Cindy Ishoy. She also plans to pursue qualification for the USDF Regional Championships and the US Dressage Finals. Michelle hopes to not only further her education with her horse, but also to improve as an instructor. Michelle is currently a Director at Large of the Oregon Dressage Society.
Michelle said, “Romy and I are incredibly thankful to The Dressage Foundation. Receiving this grant will allow me to pursue education in a way I have not been able to before. Running my own training business, I struggle to come up with funds for both showing and training. Now, this grant will allow us access to continued training and development in the arena, as well as give me the opportunity to expand on my own knowledge as a trainer, coach, and competitor. I hope to be an asset to USA Dressage in training horses and riders who will continue into the USA Dressage pipeline."
The Debbie McDonald Fund previously provided $10,000 grants to Pacific Northwest FEI Riders. Thanks to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation—Malama Honua, the Fund has expanded and increased. TDF welcomes additional donations to the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders. Gifts can be made at www.dressagefoundation.org or by calling Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585. Donations by check can be mailed to TDF’s office at 1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508.
The grant guidelines and application for the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders can be found on The Dressage Foundation’s website at www.dressagefoundation.org. The application deadline will be June 15th of each year.
For more information, call The Dressage Foundation at (402) 434-8585 or email info@dressagefoundation.org.
About 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 and scholarships to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, and nonprofit equestrian organizations. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
Photo by Ella Chedester Photography
