The Dressage Foundation has named Sabine Schut-Kery as the latest recipient of its $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize, which provides financial assistance for coaching and training to horse-and-rider combinations with the ability and plans to compete in elite dressage at the international level. Since 2009, the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Fund has awarded 25 grants totaling $625,000 in support of U.S. high-performance teams.

Schut-Kery says she plans to use the prize to continue training Sonnenberg’s Jersey, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Vivaldi—Kebalia, Olympic Ferro) owned by Gina and Dan Ruediger. At the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (Illinois), Sabine and “Jersey” were Intermediaire I champions. Sabine will use the prize to support intensive training with her longtime coach and mentor Christine Traurig. She will also take video lessons with her German-based trainer, Jan Nivelle, and participate in clinics with Lilo Fore.  

“I am beyond excited and grateful to receive this year’s Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize for Sonnenberg’s Jersey,” Schut-Kery said. “This generous prize from the Dressage Foundation will give me more concentrated training to help me develop Jersey toward Grand Prix. Without this grant, our education would be limited, and we could not receive the training needed to reach the highest levels of the sport. I am extremely excited about Jersey’s potential and our future together.

“I can’t thank TDF enough for the commitment, support and passion for dressage in the USA, and I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Jersey’s owners, Gina and Dan Ruediger, my coach Christine Traurig, and my close team for believing in us and supporting this partnership,” she continued. “I will work very hard and hope we will make you proud!”

The grant is named for dressage rider Carol Lavell, the Olympian, trainer, teacher and judge. Through the creation of the $25,000 prize, Lavell hoped to help other deserving dressage riders reach elite levels of the sport.