WILTON FAIR FUND
In 2017 David and Cheryl Lenaburg made a very generous donation of $1,000,000 in memory of their great event horse Wilton Fair. The Wilton Fair Fund will allow up to $100,000 in grants to be given each year for a variety of educational opportunities for riders ages 29 and under who have not yet ridden for a senior team. Ultimately, these grants are intended to provide the support and encouragment for talented riders to step away from their homebase to gain more international experience and education.
David Lenaburg purchased Wilton Fair for David O’Connor to ride in the early 1990s. Wilton Fair was a horse who would help jump start O’Connor’s career – giving him his first CCI3* victory. Lenaburg wishes to be a part of developing other riders’ careers and so has established this fund with the USEA Foundation
“David [Lenaburg] called me out of the blue,” explained O’Connor. “He’s retired now and doesn’t own horses anymore, but we’ve always just kept in touch. He said, ‘I’ve been kind of thinking about the future, and I think it’s time to give back. I would like to give a million dollars to the developing side of the sport. The developing side of high performance . . . what I did for you, I want to do it again. I want to give back.’”
The grants from the Wilton Fair Fund will be decided by the USEA Foundation with recommendations from the United States Equestrian Emerging Athletes Group. Considerations for funding may include:
Overseas rider/horse combination trips for competiton and/or training
Educational opportunities for non-team riders within the USEF structure
Grants for individuals 29 years and under to apprentice for a longer time period with an approved rider/trainer in Europe. Grants could include living costs, stabling costs, etc.
Grants for riders 29 years and under to train with an approved rider trainer in the United States
Educational opportunities for developing rider coaches to develop their skills in coaching
“This is an exciting time for the USEA Foundation,” said then Foundation Chairman, Kevin Baumgardner. “Our mission has expanded significantly over the past several years, and we are now administering grant programs that make a difference in all areas of our sport. The Wilton Fair Fund is another big step forward for us. We cannot thank the Lenaburgs enough for their vision and generosity. We look forward to working with them for years to come.”
“We believe that the developing side of the program is really important,” continued O’Connor. “You get caught because the senior riders can’t be riders forever, and then suddenly you’re in a hole. We’ve seen that happen. That’s the exciting part about the programs we’re coming up with. They’re really going to help with the ability for the U.S. to play for a long time.”
Terms and Conditions of the Wilton Fair Grant
The grant is available to U.S. citizens through the year of their 29th birthday.
Riders must not have ridden on an Olympic or World Games team (clarified in 2021 due to confusion over previously used “senior team” terminology).
Applications are invited from riders competing successfully at the CCI4* and above.
Applicants must be willing to travel overseas for international FEI competition, and/or be willing and able to apprentice with an approved rider/trainer in Europe within 12 months of receiving the grant.
The grant may be used to offset training, travel, living, stabling costs, and overseas FEI competition expenses.
The successful recipient will report regularly on progress and how the grant is being utilized.
Declarations of interest for consideration of this must be completed and received on time in order to be considered. Late and incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Riders who have already traveled overseas for an extended period of time are not eligible.
Declarations of interest for consideration are the first step in the grant process. You may also be asked to participate in an initial phone interview with a committee member following submission of your application.
While financial need is taken into account, this is not a need based grant.
Additional information, budgets, and a second phone interview will be required for riders selected for final consideration.
Declarations of intent for the Wilton Fair International Rider Grant may be found here.
Previous Recipients of the Wilton Fair International Rider Grant
2024 Cassie Sanger and Gabby Dickerson
2023 Jenny Caras and Cosby Green
2022 Hallie Coon
2021 Caroline Martin
2020 Kimmy Cecere
2019 [Not Awarded]
2018 Savannah Fulton
2017 Madeline Backus
Previous Recipients of the Wilton Fair Young Rider Grant
2019 Charlotte Babbitt and Alexandra Baugh
2018 Mia Farley and Madison Temkin