The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that Dressage4Kids has been awarded a $5,000 grant from its Michael Poulin Fund Dressage Fund for Innovative Events and Programs. The purpose of the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund is to provide financial support to organizations to host unique, innovative, collaborative events or programs that work toward advancing dressage. The funding will assist with the start-up of a new volunteer program, Dressage4Kids ACT (Advocacy, Community, Team) Program.
The Dressage4Kids ACT (Advocacy, Community, Team) is a unique new opportunity for youth dressage riders to give back to the various equestrian communities. D4K ACT will organize and assist dressage riders under the age of 25 to volunteer at competitions, fundraising events, rescue facilities, therapeutic riding facilities, and more. The program will raise awareness of needs in the equestrian community, teach youth dressage riders the value of volunteer activities, and build and strengthen the bonds among youth dressage riders. ACT will build upon the strong foundation of Dressage4Kids created by Lendon Gray. The program was developed by Ben McWhorter, a 15-year-old equestrian from Louisiana, with the goal of building a meaningful and fun volunteer network with his fellow riders across the country.
Dressage4Kids was founded 25 years ago by Olympian Lendon Gray to provide educational and competitive opportunities for youth dressage riders at all levels. Dressage4Kids includes the TEAM Program, the Winter and Summer Intensive Trainings, and clinics across the country.
Grants, such as those from TDF’s Michael Poulin Fund, are available year-round for USDF Group Member Organizations (GMOs), non-profits, and other equestrian organizations to host events and programs in 2025 and beyond. Applications for these grants are due to TDF at least 75 days before the event.
For more information, please contact Sara Weiss, TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, at sara@dressagefoundation.org or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
To donate to any of these Funds, contact Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org. Secure online donations can also be made at 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 and scholarships to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, and nonprofit equestrian organizations. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
