The U.S. Dressage Federation has launched a new travel grant program for qualified competitors representing certain states in the western United States.

To alleviate some of the financial burden for those traveling the greatest distance to the 2017 U.S. Dressage Finals in Kentucky, the USDF is making up to $50,000 in travel grant funds available to eligible competitors who apply and fall into one of two groups based on the rider’s address of record as associated with their USDF membership.

Competitors from Group 1 (which includes Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada and Utah) are eligible to apply for grants of up to $1,200 per horse/rider combination, while competitors from Group 2 (Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado) are eligible to apply for grants of up to $900.

The new travel grant program announcement comes on the heels of an increase in USDF’s overall support of the U.S. Dressage Finals, which will be held Nov. 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Prize money for the main event will increase to $75,000 this year, as well as a total of over $180,000 in prize money now being offered for this year’s Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships, which serve as qualifying competitions for the finals.

“The USDF is proud of what has been created with the US Dressage Finals and is committed to keeping it one of the premier dressage competitions in the U.S.,” said USDF President George Williams. “Making it easier for those competitors who have to travel great distances to attend has been one of the goals from the start for this showcase event, so we’re excited to be able to make travel grants a reality for this year as well as continue to offer generous prize money incentives for both the finals and the regional championships.”