Four American Young Riders Named to Olympic Dream Program European Tour
15 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Four American Young Riders Named to Olympic Dream Program European Tour
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 21–Four competitors have been selected for the 2010 Advanced Young Rider Olympic Dream Program of an intensive 10-day European dressage experience.
Mimi Stanley of Bismarck, North Dakota, Brian Hafner of Templeton and Christine Stephenson of Mission Viejo, both of California, and Kristen Schwaegerle of Rye, New Hampshire, were selected for the program administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation. Laura-Hope Gammell of Rhode Island and Kathryn Butt of South Carolina are first and second alternates.
An independent selection committee reviewed dozens of applications for the ninth annual TDF trip to Europe. Applications included essays, competition scores, recommendations and commitment to the sport.
The program was conceived by Olympic medalist and TDF board member, Michael Poulin.
The group will leave June 28 and plan to visit former U.S. team coach, Klaus Balkenhol, Spanish team coach, Jean Bemelmans and German Olympians Ingrid Klimke and Hubertus Schmidt. The group will also visit Schafhof, the home of former German Olympian, Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff, and her trainer Klaus Martin Rath, along with his son, Matthias Alexander Rath who was a member of the 2009 German team at the European Championships.
