Dressage Training Legacy Continues As the Debbie McDonald Fund Expands To Offer $25,000 Grants to FEI Riders in the US

The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) World Cup Finals are currently taking place (4-8 April 2023) in Omaha, Nebraska. The US Equestrian team is there for the dressage, vaulting, and showjumping events. Their horses traveled luxuriously to reach Omaha. But as the CHI Health Center in Omaha witnesses this superb contest, it is noteworthy to bring forth some dedicated efforts of a foundation. These efforts support the dream of many equestrians in taking up the sport – The Debbie McDonald Fund.

The Debbie McDonald Fund, named after the eponymous former Olympic dressage rider, provides riders and their horse pairs the opportunity to avail high-level training at the Prix St. Georges or higher. In better news, the fund amount has just increased from $10,000 to $25,000 for new potential riders.

The Legacy of Equestrian Debbie McDonald

Debbie McDonald first struck worldwide fame 19 years ago at the Athens Olympics. There, she won the bronze medal in team dressage. She had, however, won the FEI World Cup with her horse Brentina a year prior to that. Therefore, it was especially momentous that this year, 20 years after her world cup win, Debbie McDonald was present in Omaha when the announcement to increase the prize money was made.

In a Facebook video by The Dressage Foundation, a lady praised Debbie McDonald by saying, “Debbie has had a profound impact on our sport as a rider, trainer, coach…” McDonald is therefore the honoree after whom the grant is named. But this year, further pushing the great cause, the amount has multiplied itself 2.5 times. This is due to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation.

Daughter Jennifer Gates, Shares Unseen Image of Bill Gates’ First Grandchild

This would be especially beneficial to riders who show great potential but often fall short of the bare minimum required for training. It is named after McDonald not just for her incredible achievements, but also for the compassion, kindness, and care she embodies in dressage training.

McDonald’s training methods are legendary among dressage riders

As per the Dressage Foundation, Pam Jones also left a special note to Debbie McDonald expressing her gratitude. She wrote that Debbie McDonald is always “mindful of the physical and mental health” of the horse. She alleviates misunderstandings between the rider and their horse. Afterward, the horse almost always comes out better and keener to work. Those trainers who “adhere to these empathetic training methods” will provide US Dressage riders the opportunity to further their learnings.

Watch This Story: Derek Jeter’s Wife Hannah Jeter Once Bagged a Six-Figure Deal to Feature Alongside a Talking Horse in a Weird Commercial 

At the Omaha CHI Health Center, as Debbie McDonald was paid tribute to, she said a few words too. She said, “I see people struggling… I am very fortunate to know that people are willing to put some money into it”. She concludes by wishing that this foundation grows with more people. That people, with lesser fortune pick up this sport, and are not bogged down due to the expense.