Lincoln, Nebraska - March 3, 2011 - The Dressage Foundation's Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund, established by Maryal Barnett, has awarded three grants to individuals to attend the United States Dressage Federation's Instructor Certification Program. Katy Barglow (CA), Crystal Forsell (CA), and Kerrie Matesich (OH) each received a $1,250 grant to use toward their further education as an instructor.

In previous years, the Fund has provided significant financial assistance to USDF GMOs for instructor education clinics and programs. However, Maryal wanted to expand the scope of the fund to help individual instructors. She said, “I want to encourage more individuals to pursue their Instructor Certification credentials.”

Katy Barglow, Walnut Creek, California, has been a professional instructor for two years and taught as a Pony Club volunteer for ten years. She said, “I am thrilled to have the support of The Dressage Foundation to attend the USDF Instructor Certification Program. The workshops thus far have honed my teaching skills and given me new tools for communicating with horses and riders. I know my teaching, training, riding, and lunging skills will continue to improve as a result of this program.”

Crystal Forsell is from San Lorenzo, California, and has been a dressage instructor for eight years. "Being a Participating Instructor in the USDF Instructor Certification workshops is an investment into my career and my dressage future,” said Crystal. “I have already participated in two of the three workshops offered and found it to be an invaluable experience. I am very grateful to receive this assistance from The Dressage Foundation to fund my participation in the USDF Instructor Certification workshops. This will not only cover the registration fees, but stabling and required reading materials as well."

Kerrie Matesich, Alexandria, Ohio, has been teaching dressage for over 20 years. She is currently an Associate Instructor, and said, “I am so honored to be one of the inaugural recipients of this grant. I couldn’t be more eager to finish my testing and earn my USDF Instructor Certification. I thank The Dressage Foundation and Ms. Barnett, wholeheartedly, for helping with the means. It means so much!”

Individual grants range from $500 to $1,500 each and are awarded twice per year. Application deadlines are February 1st and July 1st for individual grants only. GMOs may still apply for financial assistance of up to $1,000 for instructor clinics, and those applications are due at least 90 days prior to the event.

For more information about The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders of all ages and levels. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.