Find And Win Equestrian Scholarships

By Dorthy Lloyd


Almost anyone can benefit from a little help when it comes time for higher education. College or university is expensive, but the fact remains that a degree helps find significant work in any field. Fortunately thousands of public, private, corporate, and civic organizations offer financial aid for tuition and other expenses. Many of these are unused, since no one applies for them. Dedicated equestrian scholarships are only one of many kinds of awards that a student interested in working with horses may qualify for.

There are many kinds of aid available for qualified students. Some are based on need, others on academic excellence. Athletic prowess is a well-known way to get a free ride to a degree. But there are others, like a beauty pageant prize or a talent show award, or ones which reward community service or club membership. Schools offer help with tuition and other costs, as well. Every avenue should be explored when facing the huge investment a college education requires.

Some scholarships are broad enough to include any kind of study, stating merely that they be used for educational costs. Others depend on certain criteria the award winner must fill. For example, an athlete who cannot play because of injury or bad grades may lose their award. A student who does not maintain a satisfactory grade point average might lose their academic aid. Aid from one school will not transfer with a student who changes schools.

Riding is only one facet of the horse industry, but an outstanding rider will find many opportunities as this sport rises in both popularity and popular appeal as a spectator sport. Both English and western riders will find aid packages, as horse show organizations, dressage associations, and rodeo groups seek to help high achievers get ahead in life. Winning over jumps or around barrels can help a student get a higher education.

Another source of funds is breed associations. A boy or girl who owns an Arabian horse, for instance, should check out awards given by Arabian clubs. There are similar awards for those who work with Quarterhorses, Morgans, Saddlebreds, and other breeds. Most of these offers are small, consisting of perhaps a thousand dollars a year, but there is no limit to the number of awards one student can get from various sources.

The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association maintains a list of college and university teams across the country. Their website offers a lot of other information as well and is a good starting point for those who are top-notch riders. Schools with horse-based programs place a high priority on winning in intramural competition.

People who can't compete at the top level or who may not even want to ride may still want to work with horses. There are courses in barn management, riding school operation, the legalities of the equine industry, equine nutrition, and in things like dentistry or hoof care for horses. This field is as amenable to individual talents and inclinations.

Civic groups like the Lions or the Rotary Club offer aid, as do corporate and retail entities. The Internet makes is easier than ever to find out about even obscure offers of help with tuition and books.




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