June 21, 2010 — “It’s a very large and generous contribution,” said John Boomer, retiring president and CEO of The Dressage Foundation, as he announced a $1 million gift made by Gordon Cadwgan, father of U.S. Olympian Carol Lavell. Cadwgan, who has been a long-time generous supporter of The Dressage Foundation and its work, has instructed that his $1-million gift is “to be used where needed most, and as the Foundation best sees fit to carry out its mission.”
The Dressage Foundation’s mission is “To cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage.”
The Dressage Foundation plans to use this major donation to embellish, enhance and enlarge a number of its present funds.? Lavell, her family, friends and donors have established the $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize at The Dressage Foundation, awarded annually to provide financial assistance for coaching and training to a talented, committed, qualified rider whose plan is to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high performance dressage.
“Now, The Dressage Foundation will be able to award two $25,000 prizes each year, if we have the qualified applicants,” said Carol Lavell.
Also with Lavell’s “Gifted Fund” at The Dressage Foundation, nine scholarships are available annually to help adult amateurs set aside quality time in concentrated training with a horse they own, away from the daily pressures of job and family.
“Now, thanks to Dad’s gift, we can increase the dollar amounts of these annual scholarships,” said Lavell.
Lavell’s generosity, and that of her family, has regularly helped other funds at the Foundation, such as Michael Poulin’s “Olympic Dream Program” through which four top young American dressage riders, accompanied by two adult chaperones, are taken to Europe each year for a 10-day introduction to international dressage, trainers, riders, facilities and events.
Major General Jonathan Burton, chairman of The Dressage Foundation’s Board of Directors, in expressing the Board’s gratitude to Gordon Cadwgan for his $1 million donation, said, “We deeply thank Gordon Cadwgan for his gift which firmly fortifies the Foundation’s financial future.”
For more information about The Dressage Foundation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
