Sabine Schut-Kery, the highest-scoring rider on the 2021 Olympic silver medal team, has received the U.S. Dressage Foundation’s $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize.
Sabine will use the money for training Sonnenberg’s Jersey, a 10-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion owned by Gina and Dan Ruediger and bred by M.A. Van de Goor in the Netherlands.
At the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this year, Sabine and Jersey were Intermediate 1 champions. Sabine will use the prize for intensive training with Christine Traurig, who also was chef d’equipe of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.. Sabine will take video lessons with her German-based trainer, Jan Nivelle, and ride in clinics with Lilo Fore, who has judged dressae at the highest level.
“I am beyond excited and grateful to receive this year’s Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize for Sonnenberg’s Jersey,” said Sabine.
“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.”
Sabine Schut-Kery and Jersey. (Susan J. Stickle Photo)
She continued, “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 partnershi. I will work very hard and hope we will make you proud.”