The Dressage Foundation has announced that Jaclyn Pepper-Millard (California) and Limited Edition (or “Ellie”) are the 2026 recipients of the $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders grant.

The Debbie McDonald Fund provides funding for high-level training to horse and rider pairs who are training at Prix St. Georges or higher, who show potential to succeed at FEI levels, and who may not otherwise have the opportunity for the training.

Pepper-Millard is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist with distinction, as well as a volunteer member of the California Dressage Society Executive Board. She plans to use the grant funding to spend the 2027 winter season in Florida, training with Anne Gribbons and competing in CDI Grand Prix competitions. Her ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2027 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals with Ellie, her self-trained 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, who was bred in the United States by Gwen Blake.

 “Thank you will truly never be enough,” said Pepper-Millard. “Receiving this grant is a life-changing experience, as the financial help that this will give us allows me to chase my childhood dreams. Ellie and I are so excited to be heading to Florida for the winter season! To have an extensive training period with Anne Gribbons is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as well as to pursue competing in the CDI circuit in Florida.”

Jaclyn Pepper-Millard and Limited Edition. ©Andrew Ryback

The Debbie McDonald Fund previously provided $10,000 grants to Pacific Northwest FEI Riders. Thanks to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation—Malama Honua, the fund expanded to be a nationwide grant and increased in amount in 2023.

Learn More:

-The grant guidelines and application for the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders can be found on The Dressage Foundation’s website. The application deadline is June 15th of each year.

-Additional donations to the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders can be made at www.dressagefoundation.org or by calling Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585. Donations by check can be mailed to TDF’s office at 1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508. 

-Read about past grant winners and other TDF programs here.