2010 Awards & Recognition Programs

MHSEA

MN High School Equestrian Association-Each year the MHSEA holds an annual banquet to recognize all of its members and to present All-Member Awards, Competitive Awards and school letters.  All MHSEA members (regardless of riding level) who fulfill all membership, fundraising and volunteer requirements will be eligible for consideration for year-end recognition and awards from the MHSEA and their school.  A member does not have to ride competitively to be considered for many of the MHSEA awards.  All year-end awards will only be distributed at the annual MHSEA banquet at the end of the season.  Award recipients will NOT be announced until that time. 

Varsity & JV competitive award criteria is outlined in the MHSEA 2010 Handbook.  MHSEA All Member Awards will be announced here soon.  Some previous examples are the MHSEA Executive Director Award, MHSEA Sportsmanship Award (sponsored by Tri-State Horsemen's Association), the MHSEA Club of the Year Award, the Photography Contest Award and the President's Volunteer Service Award.  High School equestrians are nominated per criteria listed on the forms available on the MHSEA website at www.mhsea.org or contact Awards Chair, Marcy Eickholt at meickholt@msn.com or phone 952-937-1937.

OTHER EQUINE RELATED AWARDS & RECOGNITION

American Paint Horse Foundation-Academic Scholarships of $1000 are given each year by the APH Foundation to hardworking young horsemen and women striving every day to be the best both in the show arena and in their academic pursuits.  Applicants must be an AJPHA or APHA member, must pass a college entrance examination, provide three letters of reference and submit an essay explaining their educational plans.  The application and letters of reference must be postmarked by March 1st of the year you are applying.    More information at http://www.aphfoundation.org/scholarships.html or call the American Paint Foundation office at 817-834-2742, ext 422.

 

American Saddlebred Horse Association-Each year the American Saddlebred Association awards more than more than $200,000 in scholarships to youth involved with American Saddlebreds.   The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage, support and recognize participation in all aspects of the American Saddlebred industry, as well as to strengthen the American Saddlebred industry and breed through education.  Awards are given on the basis of academic success, financial need, extracurricular activities, including community service, involvement with American Saddlebred horses and personal references.   There are several other youth awards presented by ASHA.  You will find a complete list of available awards, criteria, applications and deadline dates at www.saddlebred.com or contact Brenda Newell at 859-259-2742 (ext 343) or email at b.newell@saddlebred.com.

 

Central States Dressage and Eventing Association-Clinic Tuition-CSDEA members in good standing may apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of clinic tuition.  Clinics that are advertised or sponsored by CSDEA,USEA, USDF or USEF are allowed and you are not limited by the immediate CSDEA geographical area.  Private clinics do NOT qualify.  Individuals are eligible once every 2 years.  Failure to perform volunteer work within a year results in forfeiture of the scholarship.  Applications for this educational scholarship at www.csdea.org.

 

Vicky Harris Memorial Scholarship-Offered to CSDEA members in good standing 21 years of age or under.  Up to three scholarships a year will be given to further a junior rider's riding experience or allows them to learn more about holistic approaches to equine health.  Submitted applications and a one-page essay will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.  Scholarship $ amount not specified.  For more information on the essay topic, the criteria and selection process; contact Lydia Major at lydia.major@gmail.com or phone 612-581-0850.

 

 

MN Horse Council-The Tony Gasser Memorial Scholarship fund offers this award open to high school seniors or older planning to major in any field of equine study.  You must be a MN resident, provide 3 letters of recommendation and proof of acceptance or enrollment from the school where the scholarship will be used.  The scholarship amount may be up to $2000.  Applications are due Nov. 1, 2010.  The awards will be presented at the MHC Annual Meeting in January 2011.  For more criteria and details on this award please go to the MHC website at www.mnhorsecouncil.org.

 

 

MN Saddlebred Horse Association-The Youth Recognition Award is offered to MSHA youth members who apply for the award themselves and submit a list of references.  Apply by July 1, 2010.  Two award categories are presented.  Division 1 rider ages 15 to 17 for a cash prize of $1250. Division 2 riders ages 11 to 14 for a cash prize of $300.  Prizes to be used towards a horse related purchase or education.  Criteria areas include:  serves as a role model for peers, good sportsmanship, regular responsibilities within a barn setting and have earned awards for levels of competition.  More award information on the MSHA website at www.msha.org or contact Jennefer Lear Tharaldson at 651-438-9008 or Alice Lear at alice_lear@juno.com.

 

 

North Central Morgan Association-The Dezi Award recognizes NCMA youth for their many achievements in and out of the horse world.  Current NCMA adult members may nominate NCMA youth enrolled as a 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grader as of Sept 8, 2010.  Nominations accepted July 1 to Dec 31, 2010.  Up to ten awards of $100 each to be presented at the January 2011 NCMA Annual Awards and Appreciation Banquet.  The nomination form can be found at www.northcentralmorgan.com or contact Janise Sanborn at email TSHorse@gmail.com

 

  

Tri-State Horsemen's Association-The Laura Sedgwick Memorial Honor Award recognizes Tri-State youth members who have not reached their 18th birthday as of Dec 1, 2010.  Adult Tri-State members (other than a parent or family member) may nominate in 3 categories:  Sportsmanship, Community Service and Horsemanship.  First year recipients receive a program jacket.  Subsequent year nominations may be made in the same categories and pins will be awarded; up to 3 pins.  Awards presented at the November Tri-State annual banquet.  Nomination deadline Oct 2, 2011.  Contact Doug Fiola with questions at 952-935-4084 or print a form at www.tri-state-horse.com.

 

 

 

United States Dressage Federation-The Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant is offered to honor the memory of long time USDF employee, Ruth Arvanette.  It enables one group member to attend the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention by providing funds to cover some of the costs of convention attendance.  The approximate value of the grant is $700.  Applications and a written essay are due no later than Aug 31, 2010.  For more information please go to www.usdf.org/awards/grants/ruth.asp.

 

Young Rider Graduate Program-a United States Dressage Federation and United States Eventing Association project this program consists of a weekend educational seminar that focuses on crucial topics young adults ages 20-25 need to know to prepare for a professional career in the horse industry.  For curriculum information and further details please go to www.usdr.org/education/other-programs/yr-graduate/index.asp.

 

United States Equestrian Federation-The USEF Youth Sportsman's Award recognizes an active junior member in good standing with USEF and a recognized National Affiliate club.  Youth riders age 17 or under as of Dec 1, 2009 are eligible to apply for this award.  Application, letters of reference and essays are due on Oct 1, 2010 to the recognized National Affiliate club.  Recipients receive gifts and are invited to participate in a Career Workshop in Lexington, KY.  Hotel room and meals provided by USEF.  The workshop is an opportunity for youth to learn about different career options within the equine industry, visit area horse farms, tour equine businesses and meet professionals in the equine industry.  An overall winner will be chosen to receive additional awards and a nomination for the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award.  Go to www.usef.documents/Youth/YouthSportAward.org for more information.

United States Equestrian Federation-The Board of the Essex Trust proudly offers The Essex Grant. The grant is to be given annually in the amount of $5,000 to an eventing rider 25 and under for training and/or competition purposes. The horse/rider combination must have completed a CIC2* with a Minimum Qualifying Result (MER). Applicants will be asked to write an essay explaining their short and long term goals, how they plan to achieve them, and their intended use of the grant.

If you qualify for this grant and would like to be considered, please fill out the attached application and return to Sara Ike no later than June 30, 2010.  Applications can be faxed to (908) 234-9417, or emailed to sara.ike@usef.org or sent by mail to SARA IKE, P.O. BOX 83, GLADSTONE, NJ 07934. 

Applications can also be found on our website:  http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allEventing.aspx.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Sara Ike (sara.ike@usef.org) (908) 326-1164 or Allison Kopf (akopf@usef.org) at (908) 234-0848.

United States Equestrian Federation-The USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program is open to equestrians in all breeds and disciplines and are currently USEF or become USEF members.  The program will run from March 1 to May 31, 2010 (this first year) and will honor those who document their training and competition involvement by awarding emblems and pins designed to be worn on existing high school letterman's jackets or any jacket of the athlete's choice.  The new program requires enrollment and documentation prior to lettering.  This USEF program is not associated with the MHSEA or USDF pin recognition programs.  For more information please contact Lauren Fahey at lfahey@usef.org. An enrollment application is available atwww.usef.org/documents/Youth/HighSchoolAthlete.pdf.

          

United States Eventing Association-Worth The Trust Educational Scholarship awards a  $3000 scholarship annually to young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 as of January 1 of the scholarship year.  Funds are to be used for any eventing educational purpose with the approval of the scholarship panel.  Application must be a USEA member in good standing and a member of their local eventing club.  Other criteria include volunteering a minimum of 10 hours with a charitable organization.  A completed application and essay explaining why the scholarship is important to you, how you intend to use the funds and what your ultimate goals are is due by Oct 18, 2010.  The recipient must keep a journal of how they are using the funds and a journal of their activity so that experiences can be shared with other new riders in the form of an article for Eventing USEA magazine.  For more information contact Nancy Knight at 703-669-9997 or email nancy@useventing.com.

 

 

United States Pony Clubs-Several scholarship opportunities are available to Pony Club members.  Criteria varies between the different scholarships but most reward Pony Club members for excellence in academic pursuits and outstanding achievements in Pony Club.  Others look for leadership, horse management, volunteer contributions and sportsmanship qualities.  Specific scholarships even offer rewards for youth looking to pursue a Liberal Arts degree or members who have been active in efforts on behalf of land conservation.  Look for the scholarship that best fits your needs.  Scholarship $ amounts vary. Application deadline is March 31st.   All information on these programs available at www.ponyclub.org/scholarship.htm

 

In addition to the above scholarships administered by the United States Pony Club over 12 colleges offer individual scholarships to Pony Club members.  The scholarships are of different $ amounts, some offer matching amounts, some may offer credit hours of education and many have an equestrian program.  These are wonderful opportunities for Pony Club members.  Contact information for Directors of Admissions is listed for each.  Look on the www.ponyclub.org/scholarship.htm website.

 

 

Western Saddle Clubs Association-Educational scholarship opportunities are available to any applicant to help meet expenses that will result from entering or attending a college or technical school.  Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, awarded during or before the year the application is made.  This is a general scholarship and no specific field of study is required.  All persons who are members of a saddle club that belongs to WSCA are eligible for consideration.  An individual may be awarded only one WSCA scholarship.  The award is co-payable to the awardee and the college/school.  The number and amounts of awards may vary each year.  For more information please contact Kelly Nelson at 763-434-5678 or go to the www.wsca.org website.

 

 

To list additional youth awards and recognition programs please contact Awards Chair, Marcy Eickholt at 952-937-1937 or meickholt@msn.com