TDF’s Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund

The purpose of the Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund is to provide financial support for para-dressage riders, including Visually Impaired and Blind riders, to attend educational events such as clinics/seminars at the USEF/USPEA Para-Equestrian Centers of Excellence, lessons with a trainer of choice, or other educational opportunities that will enable the riders to improve and reach their goals. Funds should not be requested for competition.

About the Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund:

Over the past several years, the sport of Para-Equestrian Dressage has grown and welcomed many new athletes. Throughout that time, TDF received requests for support from these riders, and proudly announced in 2018 that the TDF Board of Directors developed the Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund through a gift from the Lowell Boomer Family Charitable Remainder Unitrust. TDF will continue its fundraising efforts to ensure that grants for Para-Dressage riders are available perpetually.

If you’d like to join us in supporting the growth of Para-Dressage in the U.S, please donate!

Para Equestrian Athletes Originator of the Grants for VI Athletes

Para Equestrian Athletes (PEA) was the originator of the visually impaired grant for Para athletes.  This grant was formed through the collaboration of Jenny Johnson from The Dressage Foundation and made possible through various generous donors including Para Equestrian Athletes, LLC.

Dr. Suzanne Ament, Visually impaired Para Equestrian rider,
USEF Para Athlete Gr. IV

The Dressage Foundation Announces First Recipients of Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund Grants for Visually Impaired or Blind Riders

Grant Application Process

Who Can Apply?

  • U.S. Equestrian’s Developing or Emerging para-dressage athletes. (Riders designated as Elite Athletes by U.S. Equestrian are not eligible.)

  • Para-dressage riders who are dedicated to the sport but have not yet been named as a Developing or Emerging athlete (see US Equestrian for descriptions).

Visually Impaired and Blind Riders

  • Grants are available for visually impaired and blind dressage riders whose best corrected vision falls within the range of legally blind to fully blind. A letter from a medical professional will be required.

    Those who have not yet been officially classified as para-dressage riders by USEF/USPEA are welcome to apply.

Grant Information:

  • The amount of the grants can vary depending on the need and request of the applicants but are typically $1,000 each. One or more grants will be available each year to qualified applicants, chosen by an independent selection committee.

The selection committee will take into consideration that the applicant:

  • Is dedicated to the sport of Para-Equestrian Dressage
  • Demonstrates qualities of horsemanship and sportsmanship
  • Can be an ambassador for the sport
  • Presents well-defined goals in the application with a clear plan to achieve goals
  • Availability of other funding for chosen event/training
  • Accessibility/availability of events in rider’s local area
  • Training plan that is different than the rider’s typical routine and not readily available to him/her on a regular basis

Photo credit, The Dressage Foundation Instructor Vern Batchelder Fund
Verne Batchelder Instructor Fund (dressagefoundation.org)

Para Equestrian Athletes was the initiator of the Visually Impaired Para Dressage Grant with The Dressage Foundation.

Additional Information:

  • Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Funding must be used for the event/training specified in the grant application. Funds are not to be used for competition.
  • An applicant may not receive the grant in consecutive years.

  • The committee reserves the right to not award a grant in any given year if they determine that no candidate has met the criteria. Grant money would then be held in the Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund for use in future years. The applications and discussions of the selection committee are confidential, and their decisions are final.

    If the grant recipient is unable to attend the specified event/training, The Dressage Foundation must be notified as soon as possible. Approval for a change in the use of funds is at the discretion of The Dressage Foundation and the grant Selection Committee.

    The online application form and all required documents must be submitted to The Dressage Foundation on or before November 1st (November 29 of current year), for the Visually Impaired and Blind Rider grants). A final decision will be announced by December 31st. 

    The grant must be used for an event that falls after December 31st of the year in which you apply. Recipients will have one year from the date of the award to use the grant funds.

The Dressage Foundation Announces First Recipients of Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund Grants for Visually Impaired or Blind Riders

The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce two recipients of the first grants from its Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund specifically for Visually Impaired or Blind Riders. The purpose of the Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund is to provide financial support of up to $1,000 for para-dressage riders to attend educational events and receive training that will enable them to improve and reach their goals. These grants will give visually impaired and blind riders the opportunity to continue their dressage training. Read feature here.

To learn more about Para-Equestrian Dressage, visit:

United States Para-Dressage Association
US Equestrian’s Para-Equestrian Dressage Program (need link)
USEF/USPEA Centers of Excellence