D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship to train with FEI Trainer Oded Shimoni
This scholarship will be awarded in memory of Christian Kennedy. As a young rider, Christian was known for his kindness, his horsemanship, and his joie de vivre. Dressage4Kids, Christian’s family, and the equestrian community have chosen to remember Christian through programs and scholarships that reflect and recognize his own understanding that horsemanship means much more than simply riding.
The D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship will be awarded to promote, train, and inspire young riders through a special winter training grant to train with Oded Shimoni. The scholarship will fund one advanced rider, age 18-26, for the 2025 winter season, January through March 2025.
The selected rider must plan on bringing his or her own horse (either owned or leased) and will train with Oded Shimoni at OS Dressage in Wellington, Florida. Oded competed in two European Championships and three World Equestrian Games, and has trained numerous top international combinations.
On riding with Oded, previous scholarship recipient Emily Gill commented, “I am really grateful to work with Oded; he pushes us to be better and that is just what we need!” After her winter working with Oded, Emily gained her Grand Prix scores for her USDF gold medal on her home raised and trained Morgan.
The scholarship recipient will need to trailer to OS Dressage twice weekly for lessons. The scholarship will provide funds up to $15,000 towards transportation to/from Wellington, stabling (recipient must make their own stabling arrangements), training, showing expenses (if applicable), and living expenses (recipient must find their own housing).
We are indebted to Oded Shimoni for his continued willingness to donate his time to work with the recipient of this scholarship.
Grand Prix rider and previous scholarship recipient Matt Baillargeon says, "the scholarship afforded me the priceless gift of growing both as a person and as a rider. To be exposed to such caliber of mentorship and passion for this sport on a daily basis has helped cement my own training and personal philosophy. It has been an honor to ride in memory of Christian."
Interested riders must submit an application with information regarding recent training and clinic experience, a training video, a letter of recommendation, two references, and a letter stating riding and life goals. The selection committee is interested not only in an excellent rider, but in a well-rounded and committed student who is a strong team player, who demonstrates ethical behavior, and who has sound horsemanship skills.
Evaluation criteria may include: exceptional talent, proven ability to work hard, demonstrated ethical behavior, horsemanship skills, and consistent drive towards stated goals.
All scholarship recipients will be required to write a report sharing what they have learned or accomplished in the form of a letter, journal or diary. Photographs may be included. The report will be kept by the Committee, shared with local organizations if applicable, and may be used for publicity purposes to advance the overall scholarship awards program.
All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.
Apply for a D4K Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship to train with Oded Shimoni
Use the fillable application form below.
All application materials must be complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications are due by July 15, 2024.
