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GVDS
Scholarship
Program
2026 Scholarship Program - Application Link
The Grand Valley Dressage Society (GVDS) Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to RMDS/GVDS members and GVDS Associates aiming to advance their dressage education or competitive skills. GVDS encourages its members and Associates to pursue additional scholarship opportunities to combine with the GVDS Scholarships including but not limited to, The Dressage Foundation, Rocky Mountain Dressage Society and the Western Dressage Association of America to further expand their education.
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Annual Awards: Two $500 scholarships are available—one dedicated to English Dressage and one to Western Dressage.
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Eligibility: Open to Junior/Young Riders, Adult Amateurs, Open and Professional riders.
Eligibility Criteria
Awards are granted based on financial need and a demonstrated commitment to volunteerism.
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Financial Need: Applicant’s activity plan must explain why the GVDS scholarship will enable them to complete or participate in an activity that they might not otherwise be able to do so without the scholarship funds. For example, participate in a clinic; take extra lessons to learn a new skill; attend a horse show that they would not normally attend.
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Membership: Applicants must be current RMDS/GVDS members or GVDS Associates at the time of application.
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Initial Volunteer Requirement: Applicants must have completed at least 8 hours of volunteering at GVDS events in the calendar year prior to their application.
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Hours must be completed by the applicant personally, unless a valid reason is disclosed (e.g., a parent completing hours for a Junior rider). Junior riders must contribute at least 50% of the required hours in the prior year.
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Hours must be verified via the GVDS dashboard or the Volunteer Coordinator.
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Paid volunteer hours do not count towards the initial volunteer hour requirement.
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Funding and Disbursement
Recipients receive their funds in two stages to ensure the educational goals are met:2
Initial Payment: 50% ($250) is issued within two weeks of the award notification.
Final Reimbursement: The remaining 50% ($250) is reimbursed once all program requirements are completed and verified by the GVDS Scholarship Administrator.
Repayment Clause: If a recipient fails to fulfill their volunteer or educational obligations, they must refund the initial $250 to GVDS.
Classical Dressage Award Winners
Recipient Obligations
To receive the final payment, recipients must complete the following by November 30 of the award year:
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Current Volunteering: Complete an additional 8 hours of service at GVDS events (between November 1 and October 31). Recipients must complete at least 50% of the required hours of service; remaining hours can be donated but not purchased.
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Educational Use: Utilize funds specifically for the activities detailed in the application (e.g., lessons, clinics, online learning, or show fees). Note: Funds cannot be used for tack, attire, or electronic training aids.
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Media Submission: Submit a summary article and a photo to the Scholarship Administrator for use in GVDS newsletters and social media.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted via the official Google document link here. The link is also available on the GVDS website. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. A complete package includes:
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Background Statement: A summary of your history in dressage, current training level, frequency of lessons, and instructor qualifications.
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Goals & Challenges: An explanation of current obstacles and your short- and long-term objectives in the discipline.
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Letters of Recommendation: At least two letters, preferably including one from the instructor intended for the scholarship activities.
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Activity Plan & Budget: A detailed plan for at least one educational event. If the budget exceeds $500, the applicant must state their commitment to covering the remaining costs.
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Verification: A printout of the GVDS volunteer dashboard and all signed waivers (Applicant, Parent/Guardian, and Horse Owner).
Selection Process
The GVDS Board of Directors serves as the final deciding body.
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The Board may invite other GVDS members to assist in the review, provided those members are not applying for the scholarship themselves.
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Decisions are final; however, unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to request feedback from the Board to improve future applications.
Approved Show Assistance Opportunities
Scholarship Recipients who received financial assistance at shows and desire to schedule their two (2) assistance hours must arrange their assistance with the Show Manager or the Volunteer Coordinator. Upon completion of the assistance, they must confirm with the Show Manager or Volunteer Coordinator the assistance hours that were completed. Suggested activities include:
●Score Sheet Runner
●Show arena set up
●Show arena, show equipment, and show signage take down
●Arena maintenance during the show (raking, resetting arena during breaks)
●Show grounds maintenance (manure pickup in the parking lot and around the show arenas, trash pick-up)