The Dressage Foundation Board of Directors announced that Mo Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm, Slatington, PA, has been awarded a $6,000 grant from the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund.
The grant will be used to send the farm's trainer, John Lee Amber, and their 7-year-old homebred Hanoverian stallion, Shakespeare RSF, to train and compete in Florida this winter.
Shakespeare RSF is a fully licensed and approved stallion, and was the winner of the 2009 70-day stallion test. He was the 2010 Region 1 Champion at Second Level with John Lee as the rider and trainer. The pair was recently invited by Debbie McDonald to participate in the USEF Developing Young Dressage Horse Program, and they have also worked with Scott Hassler, Lauren Sammis, Michael Klimke, Jeanne McDonald, and Ulf Mueller. The intensive training time in Florida will help both horse and rider continue to develop their talents, with the ultimate goal of competing successfully in Grand Prix.
Mo said, "John Lee Amber and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this grant. It will make a dream possible. Hopefully, the success of John Lee and Shakespeare RSF can serve to inspire other U.S. breeders of dressage horses and to create excitement for riders to own and compete on American-bred dressage horses. I am hopeful that Shakespeare RSF's short time in Florida can show what kind of quality is being produced in the U.S."
The Michael Poulin Dressage Fund was established at The Dressage Foundation in 2003 by Michael's friends, family, and admirers. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for programs and projects that enhance the quality of dressage in the U.S., through any and all of its component disciplines - riding, competing, training, instructing, and judging.
"We are very pleased to award this grant to Mo, John Lee, and Shakespeare RSF," said Jenny Johnson, Administrative Director of The Dressage Foundation. "This grant fits well with the goals of the Michael Poulin Fund, in that it supports a program that encompasses all of the component disciplines - riding, competing, training, instructing, and judging. It is wonderful to be able to support a U.S. breeder, trainer, and horse."
Photo © Sue Stickle
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