The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce the first recipient of a grant from its Maryal and Charlie Barnett Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund for 2022.  

Maria Mendonca-Collito (PA) received a $1,500 grant to further her education as an instructor through the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program. Maria currently works with 35 students ranging from Intro to Second Level. Her students’ ages span from nine to 72 years old. 

Maria said, “I am thrilled to be able to further my education for the benefit of my students. I am sure this will enhance my ability to become more effective as an instructor overall. This training will help me expand my students’ knowledge of classical methods of training and be better able to relate the concepts of the training pyramid as it pertains to each unique horse and rider. Thank you for this opportunity!”

Interested instructors can apply for a grant to attend any portion of the Instructor/Trainer Program, including the workshops, pre-certification, and testing.  Barnett Fund grants are awarded twice per year and the next deadline for applications is July 1, 2022.

For more information about the Maryal and Charlie Barnett Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund or The Dressage Foundation, please contact Sara Weiss, TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.