The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that, for the first time, two grants have been awarded from its $25,000 Anne L. Barlow-Ramsay Grant for U.S.-Bred Horses Fund. The recipients are Lauren Chumley and Leeloo Dallas (NJ) and Molly O’Brien and Fortunato H2O (FL). The purpose of the Grant is to showcase talented American-bred horses ridden by United States citizens, by providing money to train and compete in Wellington, Florida, or in Europe.
Lauren Chumley: With the grant funding, Lauren and her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Leeloo Dallas, will work with Michael Bragdell during the Wellington, Florida, winter season. Lauren is a USDF gold medalist specializing in the development of young horses. She and Leeloo Dallas are currently USEF Developing Program members. Leeloo Dallas, purchased by Lauren as a foal, was bred by Racheal McKinney.
Photo by Susan J Stickle
Lauren said, “I am truly honored and excited to be a recipient of TDF’s Dr. Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant for U.S.-Bred Horses with Leeloo Dallas. This funding will enable us to continue our training with Michael Bragdell as we solidify all the Grand Prix work. I believe in this little American horse with my whole heart and in Michael's program. I am absolutely thrilled that TDF believes in us too!”
Molly O'Brien: Molly and Fortunato H2O, an eight-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Lehua Custer, will use the grant funding to train with Susan Blinks and Ali Brock during the winter season in Wellington, Florida. Molly is currently an assistant trainer and head groom for Lehua Custer and has competed Fortunato H2O successfully through Prix St. Georges. Fortunato H2O was bred by Kendra Hansis of Runningwater Warmbloods.
Photo by Andrew Ryback
Molly said, “I am honored to be a recipient of the Dr. Anne Barlow-Ramsay Grant through The Dressage Foundation. This grant is life changing and a dream come true. Not just for me, but also for Fortunato H20’s owner, Lehua Custer, and breeder, Kendra Hansis of Runningwater Warmbloods. Dr. Ramsay’s philanthropic generosity affords riders like me, without private sponsorship, to pursue training opportunities to showcase elite, U.S.-bred equine athletes on a competitive stage.”
The Anne L. Barlow-Ramsay Grant Fund was established at The Dressage Foundation in 2008 by Dr. Barlow-Ramsay to fulfill her desire to support U.S.-bred horses that are competing on the international dressage stage. Since 2008, eleven recipients have been awarded a $25,000 grant for training or competition, including those who have successfully competed at the highest level of the sport. Applications are due August 15 each year.
For more information about the Anne L. Barlow-Ramsay Grant or The Dressage Foundation, please contact The Dressage Foundation at (402) 434-8585, by email at info@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.
