Jennifer Williams Receives TDF's 2018 Patsy Albers Award

Dressage

U.S.A.

U.S. Grand Prix rider Jennifer Williams has become the recipient of the 2018 Patsy Albers Award, based on her performances at the 2018 U.S. Dressage Championships in Wayne, Illinois, in August.

The Patsy Albers Award was established by Janine Malone and other friends of Patsy, with personal donations from friends, family, colleagues, and admirers of Patsy Albers. Beginning in 2013, one Award will be available annually to the highest placing dressage rider at the USEF High Performance Championships (Intermediare I or Grand Prix), who was also a rider competing for the U.S. at a North American Junior/Young Rider Championship. A preference will be given to those competing at Grand Prix and will provide financial support for continuing education and training. The Award is $1,000.

"Being part of the 2018 Festival of Champions in the Grand Prix was an absolute honor made possible by the support of our fantastic team of owners, (Millione Partners, LLC), staff, and those dedicated to keeping our horses as healthy, happy and comfortable as possible.

"I was thrilled to receive TDF's Patsy Albers Award of a $1,000 grant to further our training and education. I am excited to use this grant money to get further instruction from my two coaches, Christophe Theallet and Debbie McDonald. Thank you for providing this special opportunity. I am very grateful!"

Patsy Albers, one of the nation's best known figures at dressage shows across the country, passed away in October 2012. She was a longtime supporter and Chef d'Equipe of the North American Junior/Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) Region 1 team. She was also very involved at the prestigious Dressage at Devon where she served for many years as the FEI Event Director. Her expertise also extended into management, officiating, and volunteering, for which she was honored multiple times. “Patsy was a Region 1 delegate for as long as I can remember,” said Janine Malone, a close friend of Patsy’s who established the Award at The Dressage Foundation. “I knew she would want to support riders who had come up through the ranks, competing at the North American Junior/Young Rider Championship and going on to the Festival of Champions.”