Congratulations to our 2024 Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship Awardee - Abigail Lemke
Photo by Franke Photo Design, LLC
AMHECT congratulates Abigail Lemke of Wisconsin on being awarded the 2024 Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship.
Abigail has been involved with Morgan horses for about eleven years. Five years ago, she partnered with Elysium Boanerges GCH (aka Brego) to compete in classical Dressage, and of course, Western Dressage quickly followed. She has found that locally, in her State of Michigan, there aren’t a lot of Morgans being shown in Dressage. Abby, Brego, and his owners, Anthony and Pamela Camera, are constantly promoting the Morgan breed as they are frequently asked, “What breed is he?” and they find themselves explaining his foundation at their shows. His athleticism and presence “speak for themselves” as the audience can see that he can excel in both classical and Western Dressage. “Brego allows us to share the gift of Morgans wherever we go,” said Abby.
Abigail and Brego won the Midwest Western Dressage Championship and the Midwest Versatility Championship in 2022 and took home three Reserve Championships at the same event in 2023 in First Level, an event sanctioned by the Western Dressage Association of America. They earned Open Competition Program Junior Exhibitor in 2019 and Reserve Champion in Introductory Level in Open Competition Western Dressage in 2022; and have competed locally at both Sorensen Equestrian Park, and the Wisconsin Charity Classic Open Horse Show. To further promote the Morgan in Western Dressage, this special team demonstrated the discipline at the Midwest Horse Fair in April 2023 where Brego was named the Wisconsin Horse Council Equine of the Year.
Pursuing her Masters in Business Administration while working full time, Abby sets aside time in her busy schedule to train with Brego at Carpe Diem Equestrian with Kelley Shetter-Ruiz, and also with trainer Linda Sorensen. For 2024, their goal is to become more proficient in the small details and work to compete at Second Level. She said, “I would love to compete at higher levels because it would also allow others to share the love I have for this breed.” Abby greatly appreciates the scholarship. Receiving it will help her to achieve this goal and, hopefully, compete at Morgan Grand National.
We all wish you the very best, Abby and Brego! Congratulations!
Learn more about the Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship by clicking HERE.