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$15,000 D4K Christian Kennedy
Young Adult Scholarship Awarded
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Dressage4Kids and Anne Baber Wallis are pleased to announce that Hannah Irons is the recipient of the $15,000 Dressage4Kids Christian Kennedy Young Adult Scholarship for 2025.
Thank you to the many generous donors, and thank you especially to Oded Shimoni, for making these scholarship opportunities possible.
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Hannah Irons is a 24 year-old young professional from Queenstown, Maryland. She began riding in hunter/jumpers and eventing at age 7 and has been focusing on dressage since 2011. Hannah has been an active member of Lendon Gray's Dressage4Kids programs for 10 years and twice participated in the D4K Winter Intensive Training Program. Hannah is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. She has competed on two FEI North American Youth Dressage Championship (NAYC) teams for USDF Region 1, as well as USEF National Championships in the FEI Pony, FEI Young Rider, and FEI U25 Grand Prix Divisions. She particularly enjoys working with non-traditional breeds thanks to her Gypsy Vanner cross Charmer, one of her first dressage partners, who she raised from a foal and competed through the Grand Prix. | |
Tracey Morgan, twelve-time USEF National Champion and seven-time World Championships competitor in combined driving, writes, “Hannah has a strong work ethic and is especially attuned to the welfare of each horse. I have been delighted to watch her grow into the accomplished dressage rider she is today." | |
After several years of experience as a working student, Hannah now operates her business, Irons Sporthorses, LLC, out of Queenstown, Maryland. She loves sharing her passion with riders of all ages and helping each horse become the best version of themselves through dressage training. A large portion of Hannah's program focuses on starting young horses under saddle. | |
Charles C.M. Arensberg, VMD, Owner/Veterinarian at Bessemer Equine writes, “I have worked with Hannah for almost 5 years and have watched her run a growing business with honest conviction. She is a naturally astute horsewoman with wise decision making that shows her to be mature beyond her years. I am thrilled to cheer her on.” | |
Photo credit: Susan Stickle | |
Aimee Boyer writes, "Hannah is incredibly deserving of the Christian Kennedy Scholarship because of her unwavering dedication to both the sport and her horses. Hannah spends countless hours training and caring for her horses, ensuring they are always happy, healthy and in peak condition. Her passion for dressage is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to continuing education. This scholarship will allow Hannah to further her skills and help her inch closer to her goal of representing our country on an international stage." | |
Photo credit: Bethany Pasorial | |
Upon learning of the scholarship award, Hannah writes, “Dressage4Kids has been life changing for me and for so many others, and I am humbled to be given this opportunity. Having the guidance of Oded's training this season will be greatly influential in helping me develop my young horse towards FEI. But more importantly, gaining new tools and knowledge from a fresh perspective will have a positive impact on many different horses and students in the future as I grow as a professional. Thank you to Christian's family, Oded, and the many contributors of D4K for your generosity in supporting the youth of our sport. It is an honor to ride in Christian's memory and I look forward to sharing all that I learn this winter in Florida.” | |
The Christian Meriwether Kennedy Memorial Fund was established with Dressage4Kids to support Dressage4Kids' mission to develop youth riders through training that promotes horsemastership, riding, sportsmanship, education, and fun. | |
Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated for the express purpose of providing educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and the adults who support them.
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