Arizona Rider Laura DeCesari Awarded a $25,000 Carol Lavell Dressage Prize
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April 16, 2025
Arizona dressage rider Laura DeCesari has been awarded a $25,000 Carol Lavell Dressage Prize to work with California trainer David Wightman and spend the 2026 winter circuit in Florida.
Laura, based in Tucson, received the award, announced by The Dressage Foundation Wednesday to bring the total of 26 Carol Lavell grants to $650,000 since 2009.
Laura, a USDF gold medalist, and her 13-year-old Swedish Warblood gelding Rossi began international Grand Prix two years ago.
The selection committee said it “felt Laura shows great talent as a rider and trainer, alongside a history of good horsemanship and sportsmanship.”
“The journey with Rossi has been especially meaningful,” she said. “He’s a horse I started myself and now we’re competing together at the CDI Grand Prix level. Having the opportunity to continue my education at the highest level, with the financial support to make it possible, truly means the world to me. This grant brings me one step closer to my dream of one day representing the United States in international competition.”
