The USHJA Foundation has opened applications for the  $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education and the Gochman Family Grant, which helps riders attend the USEF Pony Finals (Kentucky) each year.

“This sport gives us all so much, and the Foundation gives us a way to give a little bit of that back to our community,” said Debbie Bass, chair of the USHJA Foundation. “We encourage anyone meeting the criteria for these opportunities to apply; that’s why they’re here, and we look forward to supporting the aspirations of our incredible community.”

Each year, the Foundation selects up to three individuals, who exemplify sportsmanship, tenacity, and horsemanship, to receive the Gochman Grant, which aims to inspire young riders to embrace this sport at the earliest age and encourage them to continue growing as equestrians, by providing them the opportunity to compete at USEF Pony Finals, which takes place Aug. 5-11, in Lexington, Kentucky. Gochman Grant applications must be received by Mar. 15, to be considered.

Beyond supporting competitive opportunities, the USHJA Foundation is committed to education, and through a generous donation from the Kristen and James Hamel Family Foundation, the USHJA Foundation awards up to $25,000 to one USHJA member each year to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school.

Current USHJA members who have been members for at least three consecutive years are eligible for the Hamel Scholarship for Further Education. Applicants must be accepted to a college, graduate, professional or trade school and be entering the 2018 fall semester as a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, trade or graduate student, and meet the other requirements outlined in the application. Interested applicants must apply by May 15.