Lindsey Holleger and MW Ave Maria OLD are the first recipients of the $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders grant.
Debbie McDonald Fund
The "Debbie McDonald Fund" provides funding for high-level training to horse and rider pairs who are training at Prix St. Georges or higher, who show potential to succeed at FEI Levels, and who may not otherwise have the opportunity for the training.
This is the second grant established by The Dressage Foundation (TDF) in honour of Debbie McDonald. In 2019 TDF established a fund for Pacific Northwest FEI riders (from USDF Region 6) pursuing their riding and training goals, in line with USEF Dressage initiatives.
"The Debbie McDonald Fund previously provided $10,000 grants to Pacific Northwest FEI Riders. Thanks to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation—Malama Honua, the Fund has expanded and increased," TDF communicated.
Holleger and Ave Maria
Ave Maria is a 10-year-old U.S. Oldenburg mare by Voice out of SP Fiderline (by Fidertanz x Harvard x Grundstein II). She is bred by Nancy Holowesko (MD) of Crosiadora Farm in Maryland. She was originally named Ave Maria CF.
Jen Vanover's Maplewood Warmbloods in Middletown, NY where Lindsey is the head trainer, purchased Ave Maria’s dam seven months pregnant with Ave Maria. The mare was renamed MW Ave Maria when her sport career began. She was later on bestowed with the OLD suffix from the German Oldenburg Verband (GOV) to highlight her quality and future in sport.
Lindsey and MW Ave Maria are members of the Kundrun USEF Dressage Development Program. Lindsey plans to use her funding to train virtually and in person with Debbie McDonald in Florida this winter.
“I am incredibly grateful to The Dressage Foundation for giving MW Ave Maria OLD and me the opportunity to receive world-class training," said Holleger. "The training I will receive will make an enormous difference for us and for my education as a rider. Being able to train in Florida with a trainer of Debbie’s caliber would not be possible without this grant. This invaluable opportunity will give me knowledge and experience I will carry with me for the rest of my career.”
Holleger recently saw two of Maplewood's top horses sold: Grand Prix stallion Feinermark and rising star MW Marcario.
Related Links
Claire Darnell Awarded $10,000 Grant from Debbie McDonald Fund for Pacific Northwest FEI Riders
Debbie McDonald Fund Established To Support Pacific Northwest Riders