Dressage4Kids and Anne Baber Wallis Announce Three Different Scholarship Opportunities for 2026 in Memory of Christian Baber Kennedy.
Photo: Hannah Irons is the recipient of the $15,000 Dressage4Kids Christian Kennedy Young Adult

Link or more information regarding the scholarship and the application process.

Dressage4Kids and Anne Baber Wallis are proud to announce that applications are now open for three remarkable scholarships:

• The D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship to train with Oded Shimoni
• The D4K Christian Kennedy Training Grant
• The D4K Christian Kennedy Training with Lars Petersen Scholarship

The D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship to train with FEI Trainer Oded Shimoni

Applications are now open

The D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship, which allows trainees to work with Oded Shimoni, is a prestigious training opportunity established in memory of Christian Kennedy, a young rider remembered for his exceptional horsemanship and joyful spirit.

One advanced rider between the ages of 18 and 26 will be awarded a grant of up to $15,000 to train with renowned FEI trainer Oded Shimoni during the 2026 winter season (January-March) in Wellington, Florida. Shimoni competed in two European Championships and three World Equestrian Games, and continues to train top international combinations.

Previous scholarship recipient, Hannah Irons, writes, “This winter was an incredible learning experience and my riding and horses have greatly improved. My favorite line all winter was ‘your standards can’t just be high enough for Maryland, they have to be good enough for Aachen’. I cannot thank Oded enough for supporting the youth of our sport. I am very grateful to Anne Baber Wallis, Lendon Gray, and Dressage4Kids for their generosity and believing in me. It was an honor to ride in memory of Christian Kennedy and I can’t wait to share the inspiration, knowledge, and kindness that I experienced this winter.”

We are deeply grateful to the donors and to Oded Shimoni for his generous donation of his time and expertise to support this scholarship.

The selection committee seeks not only candidates with exceptional riding talent but also those who are well-rounded, committed students who demonstrate ethical behavior and possess strong horsemanship skills.

Application deadline: July 15th

The D4K Christian Kennedy Training Grant

Applications are now open

This training grant will be awarded to inspire one young rider (aged 18-26) through a special grant to work with an instructor of choice in Wellington, Florida for the winter season January-April 2026. The scholarship will provide funds up to $10,000 towards transportation to/from Wellington, stabling (recipient must make their own stabling arrangements), showing expenses (if applicable), living expenses (recipient must find their own housing), and training expenses with an instructor of the scholarship recipient’s choice.

Application deadline: July 15th

The D4K Christian Kennedy Training with Lars Petersen Scholarship

Applications are now open

This scholarship will offer one advanced young rider (age 18-26) up to two lessons per week with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen at Eagle Tree Farm in Wellington, Florida, during the winter season, January-March 2026. The scholarship recipient must bring his or her horse (owned or leased) and is responsible for his/her transportation, stabling, and housing.

Application deadline: July 15th

Many thanks to all those who make these scholarship opportunities possible.

To make a donation to Dressage4Kids, go to: https://dressage4kids.org/donate/

About Dressage4Kids

Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated for the express purpose of providing educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and the adults who support them.

Dressage4Kids | d4k.org@gmail.com | dressage4kids.org