With the goal of “promoting and supporting the art and sport of dressage,” the New England Dressage Association (NEDA)  offers educational scholarships to its members. The mission of the scholarship program is to help members pursue their training and personal goals in dressage. The next application deadline is October 1^st.

“We award scholarships twice a year, with deadlines of April 1^st and October 1^st, for members who wish to pursue their training or further their own education,” said Susan Edelen, the chair of the NEDA Scholarship Committee. “The recipients are asked to give back to the dressage community in various ways such as keeping a journal of their experiences, being available for publicity, giving a clinic or providing judging services for a show.”

The goal of the NEDA Scholarship Program is to not only provide the widest range of dressage education to the greatest number of members, but to also support the development of dressage in the field of international competition. Programs for which the funding is requested must have a stated objective, must be for the specific purpose of advancing the rider’s/official’s skills or individual’s standing in the dressage community, and must have clear beginning and end dates.

“Five NEDA scholarships were awarded in April of 2012 and we want to congratulate all of our winners,” Edelen said. “The recipients included: Diane Cantara of Northfield, New Hampshire, who received an Amateur Scholarship to study with Pam Goodrich with her mare, Medea; Cindi Wylie of Georgetown, Massachusetts, who received a Professional Scholarship for the USDF “r” Program and to study with Christoph Hess; Lisa Pierson of Hopewell Junction, New York, who received a Professional Scholarship for Part II of the USDF L Program; Katherine Ayn Dow of Bow, New Hampshire, who received a Professional Scholarship to study with Pam Goodrich to confirm the changes for Third Level work; and Rita Brown of Kingston, Massachusetts, who also received a Professional Scholarship to study with Morten Tomsen with her new international caliber horse.

To apply for scholarships, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent non-residents holding a Green Card. They must also be members in good standing with NEDA. Grants generally range from $1000 to $4,000, based upon the type of program, category and availability of funds. Scholarships must be used to participate in educational programs that include, but are not limited to, seminars, workshops, clinics and training programs offered by recognized or certified instructors. There are five categories in which to apply for grants: International Level Competitor; Professional Rider/Trainer; Serious Amateur; Young Rider; and Breeding.

Edelen added that they are also asking for help with the Scholarship Fund. “Education, at all levels, is so important for the development of our sport. It’s also vital that Americans get training in Europe if we are to become competitive internationally. The Scholarship Fund makes it possible for even those who may not be riding right now to help support those struggling to make it to the top,” she said. “This fund cannot continue providing scholarships without ongoing financial help from the community. If you would like to support this very valuable asset to our dressage community, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the NEDA Scholarship Fund. Every dollar helps!”

More information on NEDA Scholarships or to print the application form, please visit http://www.neda.org/Scholarship.html or contact Susan Edelen at 978 356 8704 or email at suedelen@comcast.net. For more information on NEDA, the largest single chapter American Dressage Organization in the country, visit their website atwww.neda.org.