The Dressage Foundation has re-awarded the first $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders grant to Nicholia “Niki” Clarke after the grant’s original recipient, Lindsey Holleger, was unable to use the funds and declined the award.

The Debbie McDonald Fund provides funding for high-level training to horse and rider pairs who are training at Prix St. Georges or higher, who show potential to succeed at FEI Levels, and who may not otherwise have the opportunity for the training. 

Clarke, who runs Dressage Unlimited with locations in Hamilton, Montana; Wellington, Florida; and Scottsdale Arizona, plans to use the grant to train with McDonald over the winter in Florida, and then throughout the year from her home in Montana. She will use the funding to concentrate on training Komsi Komsa, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood, she co-owns with the Komsi Komsa Syndicate.

“I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be a recipient of TDF’s Debbie McDonald Grant with Komsi Komsa,” Clarke said. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this grant in Debbie’s name.  I want to thank TDF and its donors for their generosity in allowing riders like me to deepen our education when we may not otherwise be able to. I hope to make Debbie, TDF and U.S. Dressage proud as I use this grant to further strengthen my education and abilities.”

The Debbie McDonald Fund previously provided $10,000 grants to FEI riders in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation—Malama Honua, the fund has expanded and increased. TDF welcomes additional donations to the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders. Gifts can be made at www.dressagefoundation.org. 

The grant guidelines and application for the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders can be found on The Dressage Foundation’s website at www.dressagefoundation.org. The application deadline will be June 15 each year.