Congratulations Jennifer Kaiser - 2024 van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship Recipient

Photo by J.Klein Photos

AMHECT congratulates Jennifer Kaiser of Michigan on being chosen as recipient of the 2024 van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship. 

Jennifer began her dressage journey about 15 years ago, and teamed up with her current partner, Up-Hi Santana in 2013 when he was just three years old. She started him under saddle shortly after bringing him home and this team has progressed up the dressage ladder ever since. Advancing, and winning, at Training Level, then First Level, then Second Level, Jennifer and Santana now compete at Third Level. They ended 2022 with a Top 10 (8th) placing in the National Dressage Pony Cup Small Horse year-end awards for Third Level. Then in 2023, they earned their Bronze Medal of Distinction with their 2 required Third Level scores >67%; and Santana was named the USDF All-Breeds Third Level Champion for Adult Amateur and Open divisions. He was third in National Dressage Pony Cup Small horse both at the annual championship show and in the year-end awards – all remarkable accomplishments.  

Santana and Jennifer also participate in many events to showcase the Morgan breed such as exhibiting as a demo horse for the Michigan Horse Expo, leading tour groups off the charter boat and through Mackinaw Island, and more! They also attend USDF and other clinics with various renown clinicians who are always amazed when they find out Santana is a Morgan. In addition, they have represented the Morgan in USDF recognized shows, the All Morgan Michigan Show, and Dressage Pony Cup (small horse division). “Santana has continued to show what Morgans can do, consistently outperforming against well-bred FEI-type horses. His accolades are an attestation to the ability of Morgans in dressage,” said Jennifer.

Currently, Jennifer works full time in a health care system, teaches online courses at a University, continues to operate and grow her farm, and volunteers as a board member for the All Dressage Association GMO in west Michigan. This scholarship will help her to continue and expand her lessons with USDF Gold Medalist Laurie Moore of Laurie Moore Dressage (LMD) to solidify her Third Level work and prepare them to move toward Fourth Level and even FEI! Another of Jennifer’s goals is to earn both her Silver Medal on Santana, and, use those scores towards her USDF Judge’s Registry requirements. 

Best of luck Jennifer and Santana! We look forward to hearing about your adventures this year. 

Learn more about the van Schaik Memorial Dressage Scholarship by clicking HERE.