May 29, 2020 (Lexington, KY) – The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is pleased to announce support from The Dressage Foundation through two grants, including the Trip Harting Fund for Pony Club Members and Graduates, and The Dancing Horse Fund.
Ashley Dimmette of Raleigh, NC, has been awarded a $500 grant from The Dressage Foundation’s Trip Harting Fund, established for current or past members of Pony Club. Ashley was a member of Cardinal II Pony Club based out of Union County, NC, for nine years, before joining Yadkin Valley Hounds Pony Club during college, and earning her B Certification in Eventing. She credits Pony Club with teaching her perseverance, safety, sportsmanship, and to always put the needs of her horse first. Ashley plans to use the grant to train with JJ Tate in Landrum, South Carolina.
“I am thrilled and honored to receive the Trip Harting Fund grant from The Dressage Foundation,” shared Ashley. “As a young professional, it can be difficult to find the time and resources to [participate in] clinics with top professionals like JJ, and I am beyond excited to receive this opportunity!”
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. was also awarded a $650 grant from The Dressage Foundation’s Dancing Horse Fund to support the purchase of a sound system for musical freestyles at the upcoming USPC Festival presented by SSG Riding Gloves. The objectives of the Dancing Horse Fund are to promote and advance the art of riding to music, and encourage participation in musical freestyles at all levels.
“We are grateful for the support from The Dressage Foundation to invest in a quality sound system that will provide musical freestyle participants at USPC Festival with an improved experience for years to come,” said USPC Activities and Events Director Erin Woodall. USPC Festival is a triennial event held at the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, KY. The event combines championships competition with educational workshops and clinics for a weeklong celebration.
About the Dressage Foundation– The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants to dressage riders of all ages and levels, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more.
About Pony Club– The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1954. Pony Club is the largest equine education organization in the world, with more than 10,000 members in the US, and over 500 clubs and riding centers nationwide. USPC is proud to provide education to youth and equestrians of all ages, with instruction and competitive opportunities in more than nine English and Western riding disciplines. Pony Club’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and government leaders, have roots in Pony Club.
