The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce Sabine Schut-Kery (CA) as the recipient of its $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize. The Prize provides financial assistance for coaching and training to talented, committed, proven horse and rider combinations with the ability and plans to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high-performance dressage. Since 2009, the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Fund has awarded 25 grants totaling $625,000 in support of U.S. high-performance teams.
Sabine plans to use the Prize to train Sonnenberg’s Jersey, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Gina and Dan Ruediger (OR) and bred by M.A. Van de Goor (NED). At the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, Sabine and “Jersey” were Intermediate 1 Champions. Sabine will use the Prize for intensive training with her longtime coach and mentor, Christine Traurig. She will also take video lessons with her German-based trainer, Jan Nivelle, and participate in clinics with Lilo Fore.
Photo by Susan J Stickle
Sabine said, “I am beyond excited and grateful to receive this year’s Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize for Sonnenberg’s Jersey! This generous Prize from The Dressage Foundation will give me more concentrated training to help me develop Jersey toward Grand Prix. Without this grant, our education would be limited, and we could not receive the training needed to reach the highest levels of the sport. I am extremely excited about Jersey's potential and our future together."
She continued, “I can’t thank TDF enough for the commitment, support, and passion for dressage in the USA and I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Jersey’s owners, Gina and Dan Ruediger, my coach Christine Traurig, and my close team for believing in us and supporting this partnership! I will work very hard and hope we will make you proud!”
Carol Lavell achieved excellence in all phases of dressage – as an Olympian, rider, competitor, trainer, teacher, and judge. She knew firsthand the work, sacrifice, and struggle necessary to make it to the top of the dressage world. Through the creation of the $25,000 Prize, she wanted to help other deserving riders who aspire to climb this high-performance mountain.
Information about The Dressage Foundation and the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize can be found at www.dressagefoundation.org. The Prize application deadline is August 31st of each year. For more information on applying, please contact TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, Sara Weiss, at (402) 434-8585 or sara@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 call (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
