The  Dressage Foundation has announced that December 15 each year will be the  application deadline for the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize of $25,000. The  recipient will be announced on February 26 each year.  “Interested,  qualified applicants need to move promptly to meet the December 15,  2008 application deadline for this major prize,” said John Boomer of  The Dressage Foundation.  “A distinguished national panel of Dressage  leaders will review the applications, and if they agree upon a  qualified applicant to receive this major $25,000 Prize, that person  will be announced on February 26, 2009,” said Boomer.

The purpose  of the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize of $25,000, is to provide financial assistance for coaching and training to a  talented, committed, qualified rider whose plan is to reach and excel  at the elite, international standards of high performance dressage.   This prize will be available annually in the future to a rider who is a  US citizen, 21 years of age or older, and who meets the selection  criteria of merit and need.

“This  sizeable Fund at The Dressage Foundation was made possible by  charitable contributions from Carol Lavell, her family and friends, in  special remembrance of Carol’s mother, May Cadwgan, and in honor of her  father, Gordon Cadwgan,” said John Boomer.

Said Carol Lavell about her Prize, “For most aspiring international  riders, obtaining financial support becomes the ultimate hurdle. I hope  this Prize will smooth the bumps for those deserving riders and horses  on the road to their dreams.”

“The  application brochure and instructions can be read, downloaded and  printed from our website, www.dressagefoundation.org,” said John  Boomer.  For requests for additional information, or questions, please  contact The Dressage Foundation office.

The  Dressage Foundation is a national 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 scholarships to dressage  riders of all ages and levels.  For more information, please visit the  website, www.dressagefoundation.org