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Equestrian
Barbara Grassmyer Awarded Women’s Sports Foundation Grant |
Kingston,
RI—April 18, 2003—Equestrian Barbara Grassmyer, a National
Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) champion from Placerville, CA,
has been awarded a $1,000 Travel & Training grant from the
Women’s Sports Foundation®.
Grassmyer,
who won the NDSA Championship at the Bayer/U.S. Equestrian Team
Festival of Champions, Presented by State Line Tack, for the second
consecutive year in 2002, was one of 18 individuals and six teams
to receive the grant, which helps to relieve some of the financial
burdens placed on athletes, allowing them to better focus on training.
In addition to covering the costs of traveling to competitions,
the grants are used to purchase specialized equipment or to pay
for coaching or other training expenses.
“The
Travel & Training grant program provides a great stepping
stone for female athletes to pursue their athletic goals,”
said Women’s Sports Foundation® President Dawn Riley.
“The Women’s Sports Foundation® is proud to give
these young champions a chance at achieving their dreams.”
Since
the introduction of the Travel & Training grant program in
1984, more than $1 million has been awarded to more than 1,000
teams and individuals who exhibit exceptional talent or potential
in their respective sports. Past grant recipients include Olympic
medalists Brooke Bennett (2000, Gold, Swimming); Chrystie Gaines
(2000, Bronze, Track & Field); Michelle Kwan (1998, Silver,
Figure Skating); Tara Nott (2000, Gold, Weightlifting); Maureen
O’Toole (2000, Silver, Water Polo); Nikki Stone (1998, Gold,
Aerial Skiing); Jennifer Rodriguez (2002, Bronze, Speedskating);
and Picabo Street (1998, Gold, Alpine Skiing).
The
National Disability Sports Alliance is the national governing
body for equestrian sport for equestrian athletes with disabilities.
The non-profit organization is responsible for the development
and selection of riders for national championships and international
competitions, including World Championships and the Paralympic
Games, and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders
of all levels with physical disabilities. For more information
about NDSA and opportunities to support the programs, please visit
our website at www.ndsaequestrian.org
or contact Denise Avolio at (914) 949-8166 or diavolio@ndsaonline.org.
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