With the help of The Dressage Foundation, non-professional riders from North America will have a chance to attend the Spanish Riding School’s training center in Heldenberg, Austria.

Ralph and Freddie Dreitzler and the Dreitzler family, in memory of E.L. Dreitzler, as well as Andreas Hausberger, chief rider and director of the training center, established the Heldenberg Training Center Fund to begin in 2013 in conjunction with the riding school opening its doors to international students.

This new grant will allow amateur dressage riders to spend up to two months in theoretical study or training with a horse. Educational programs at the school include theory seminars, riding lessons and seminars for judges, professional riders, grooms and other international experts.

“The Dreitzler Family decided that this would be a perfect memorial to E.L. Dreitzler, who was one of three women to be trained by the SRS (at the time she was there) and who passed on the knowledge she acquired at the SRS to students throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Ralph, president of The Dressage Foundation. “She also encouraged the sport of dressage and especially Austrian dressage by doing exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Canada, including being one of the opening performances at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington, with her Austrian Lipizzaner horses.”

Grant applications, due July 1, are available on The Dressage Foundation’s website.

“This is such an incredible opportunity for North American riders. Until recently the Spanish Riding School has only been an option for a select few. Now with the generosity of the Dreitzler family, the school will be an option for many more riders,” said Melissa Filipi, Development Director for The Dressage Foundation. “The Foundation is honored to be a part of this Fund, and we look forward to receiving many qualified applications this summer!”