United States Eventing Association

21-Year-Old Madeline Backus Receives $45,000 Wilton Fair Grant

The USEA Foundation offers several different grants and scholarships, all designed to assist event riders in reaching their goals. Grant funds are designed to be used for coaching, training, and competing in the pursuit of advancing skills of horse and rider, some with the ultimate goal of representing the United States in international competition. USEA Chief Development Officer Jo Whitehouse joins us on the program this week to describe the different grants and explain the important work that is accomplished by the Foundation.

New this year is the Wilton Fair Grant. David and Cheryl Lenaburg made a very generous donation of one million dollars in memory of their great event horse Wilton Fair, and the fund allows for up to $100,000 each year to be awarded for a variety of educational opportunities for riders 29 and under who have not yet ridden for a senior team.

This year, Madeline Backus was the recipient of both the $10,000 Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant as well as $45,000 for the Wilton Fair Grant. Get to know about this talented 21-year-old rider, her string of horses, and her plans for 2018.

In the spirit of the season, we hope you will consider making a donation to the USEA Foundation before the new tax laws go into effect in 2018! Your gift will go a long way towards supporting the efforts of the Foundation as they work to make improvements within our sport and support riders as they strive to reach their goals.