Congratulations Jennifer Cooke - MHF 2025 van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship Recipient

Jennifer Cooke & HD Springfield - Photo by Meg McGuire Photography

Lexington, KY:  The Morgan Horse Foundation, Inc. (MHF) congratulates Jennifer Cooke of Massachusetts on being chosen to receive the 2025 van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship. 

Jennifer began her Morgan horse experience nearly 35 years ago with her purchase of Tablerock Irish Jig. Jennifer said, “this horse introduced me to the true Morgan versatility and generosity of spirit for which the breed is known.” She and Irish Jig developed a partnership that lasted for 28 years in which they did everything from trail riding and driving to schooling dressage shows and recognized USEA events. After all her children had gone off to college, Jennifer decided that this was the time to get serious about riding and competing in dressage…and she did. She purchased two full brothers to begin the next steps of her journey. 

Previously competing in dressage as one phase of eventing, Jennifer had a lesson that changed everything. She felt her horse lighten into a lofty, floaty trot that she had never experienced before. Jennifer was “dancing with her horse!” She participated in clinics with instructors such as Joan Guyotte, Thomas Davis, Luis Denizard, and Patty Montana, learning to ride her Morgans from back to front, saying “My horses taught me so much.” 

Jennifer and her current Morgan, HD Springfield, have been training together with USDF Silver Medalist and “L” graduate Sarah Stubbs. They moved from competing at Intro Level at local schooling shows to First Level at USDF Region 8 shows with very respectable scores from some tough judges, earning numerous awards including an AMHA Bronze Medallion in 2024. Striving to be an even better rider and advance both her and HD Springfield’s skills, this team plans to progress from First to Second Level in 2025, then strive for Third Level or above! 

Join us in wishing Jennifer the best in their upcoming endeavors. We look forward to hearing about them!  

Special thanks to all of our amazing applicants. Please keep up your hard work and dedication; we appreciate all that you do! 

The new MHF webpage is under construction. Please check back soon to learn more about the van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship.