Find And Win Equestrian Scholarships

By Dorthy Lloyd


Education is expensive, and student loans can be crippling. However, there are literally thousands of financial aid packages available today. The great majority of students never take the time and trouble to find out about help that is offered to pay for tuition and textbooks. In fact, many funds go unused as no one qualified asks for them. Equestrian scholarships are available from many sources, so students interested in the many facets of this field will do well to investigate.

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.

Breed associations also offer funds for higher education. A boy or girl can apply for aid if they show - or sometimes merely own - an Arabian or an Appaloosa, for instance. Those who have Quarterhorses, Saddlebreds, Morgans, or other breeds should check out what is available. A student may qualify for several of the small, one-time awards given throughout the horse industry.

Schools which offer complete equine industry degree programs often field competitive teams. A regional list can be found on the home site of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. (Winning at intramural competitions is one way schools attract students who may go on to become leaders in the industry). There are dedicated websites that post scholarship offers of all kinds, including equine ones.

There are other areas of expertise in the horse world, too. Those who can't compete over high jumps, on the polo field, or in the rodeo arena may prefer to focus on barn management, teaching lessons, or equine nutrition. As with any kind of education, there is scope for individual talent and achievement.

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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