2005 scholarships awarded to six riders competing on Morgans

Sally Anderson	Lelia Irvine
Lela Stone	Nancy Francine

Six riders competing on Morgans were awarded training scholarships through the 2005 Morgan Dressage Association Scholarship program. Two riders competing at Intermediare were awarded $750; four other riders competing at Training through Third Level were awarded $500 scholarships. The annual program provides riders training and competing Morgans up to eight scholarships ranging from $500 to $750 that can be used for clinics, regular lessons and/or training resource books or videos.

The program is supported through the proceeds from MDA’s Annual Benefit Stallion Service Sale and the generosity of the stallion owners who donate their stallion’s services.

The 2006 program application deadline is October 15, 2005. See the application instructions for more information or contact Scholarship Program Chairperson Tonya Farina.

The 2005 scholarship winners include:

Sally Anderson:
Sally lives in Big Fork, Montana and grew up on a working cattle ranch riding her Morgans. Currently she competes with the talented stallion, Iron Forge Starman at I-1, after taking Mehrs Eloquince to Grand Prix. Sally clinics with Debbie Rhiel-Rodriquez and Bonnie Bonnelo, she plans to use her 2005 scholarship money to clinic with Debbie at four different clinics.

Nancy Francine:
Nancy lives in Los Alamos, California and competes at First Level with her gelding, Skydance Midnight, in both Morgan and Open Dressage shows. Currently Nancy trains with Susan Derr Drake of Santa Ynez, VA. Nancy has several clinics and auditing opportunities in her region to further her dressage goals.

Lelia Irvine:
Lelia lives in Arlington, Washington and currently shows the gelding Rogue’s Flight Time through Third Level in 2004. Lelia’s family has been involved in Morgans since 1969 and she and her family were integral in creating sport classes for Morgans, including dressage, in the Northwest. Lelia used her funds to clinic with Linda Zang, “O” dressage judge. Lelia and Flight are currently showing at 2nd/3rd level and schooling some 4th level movements. They have raised their median score from about 62 percent to an average in 2005 of 66 percent

Kathleen Moyer:
Kathleen lives in Marysville, Washington and shows her gelding, Alabama Showman. Kathleen currently shows at Training level, showing at both Open and Morgan rated Dressage shows. Kathleen plans to clinic with Marina Genn, who was long-listed for the Canadian Olympic dressage team, in one of her three-day clinics.

Susan Snyder:
Susan Snyder lives in Corvallis, Washington and shows her gelding, Chintimini Starburst in First Level competition in 2004 with plans to move to Second Level in 2005. Susan trains with Debbie Evans and plans to use her scholarship funds to continue her bi-monthly lessons with Debbie.

Lela Stone:
Lela is a professional dressage rider and instructor living in Frederick, Maryland. She bought the Morgan gelding, Whippoorwill Ebony (aka, Black Tie) from her current trainer, Cathy Echternach who took Black Tie to Grand Prix. Lela is currently competing successfully at I-1 and hopes to get to Grand Prix with Black Tie. In addition, she is bringing along her newest Morgan, Blue and White Raven and has successfully shown him at local schooling shows with scores in the mid-60’s.

Read about the 2004 Scholarship winners.

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