About the Victoria D. Schmidt and Lisa K. Schmidt TEAM Scholarship
Dressage4Kids is pleased to announce the Victoria D. Schmidt and Lisa K. Schmidt TEAM Scholarship Program. Thanks to a generous donation from Victoria D. Schmidt’s estate, this new initiative will provide support for youth dressage riders in conjunction with the D4K TEAM Program and is expected to benefit D4K TEAM participants for many years to come. D4K's TEAM (Training, Education, And Mentoring) Program oversees clinics all over the US for youth riders of all levels, ages 25 and under. These clinics are taught by top international riders and trainers who are dedicated to the development of young riders. For more information about the D4K TEAM Program, go to: https://dressage4kids.org/programs/team-program.html.
This scholarship program honors two extraordinary women:
Victoria D. Schmidt, Lisa's mother and author of Smart Aging: Victoria’s 100 Secrets for a Happy, Healthy, Long Life, was a celebrated speaker, career and life coach, and author. Victoria enjoyed a diverse career and inspired audiences and colleagues alike with her wisdom and optimism.
Lisa K. Schmidt is a USEF ‘S’ Dressage Judge and USDF L Program Faculty Member. Known for her enthusiasm and generous feedback, Lisa believes that dressage training can make any horse a better athlete.
To be eligible for a Victoria D. Schmidt and Lisa K. Schmidt TEAM Scholarship, applicants must be 25 or under and have either participated in a Dressage4Kids, Inc. program or assisted with a D4K program as a volunteer. All applicants must be actively pursuing a specific goal, and be able to demonstrate ability commensurate with stated objectives. The scholarship monies must be used for participation in the D4K TEAM Program.
Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the individual in the event of a successful application and a signed Letter of Agreement. Any money awarded but not spent to achieve the goal outlined in the application must be returned to Dressage4Kids, Inc. Scholarship awards may cover the TEAM Clinic fees plus stabling expenses, but each scholarship award is based on each applicant's needs and is not guaranteed to include all costs associated with the clinic. This scholarship program is intended to help riders for whom the cost of participation presents a financial challenge. If you are able to attend without financial support, we invite you to consider leaving this opportunity available for another rider who truly needs it. The Committee reserves the right to limit the number of scholarships granted to one recipient in any given year.
The Scholarship Committee expects scholarship recipients to give back to D4K programs commensurate with their knowledge and experience. By accepting scholarships, recipients must agree to volunteer their time and/or expertise in some way that will benefit or enhance D4K programs as a whole. Some ways that members give back for their scholarship awards include assisting at the various programs, organizing a clinic or a fundraising event for D4K, writing an article, and/or being available for publicity, photos, etc.
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 awards program.
All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.
Apply for a Victoria D. Schmidt and Lisa K. Schmidt TEAM Scholarship
Include one letter of recommendation. If you have received a D4K scholarship in the past, no new letter of recommendation is required. Send to Mary Livernois at d4k.org@gmail.com.
Fill in the rest of the application using the fillable form fields below. All form fields are required. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
