Considering an Equine Career? Here’s a List of Relevant Scholarships

Equine studies could be your path to a career with horses. You don’t have to be a top rider to spend your life working with horses. The field of equine science and other post-secondary opportunities is growing.

Here’s a selection of scholarships to help you on your way.

Each listing includes details about application deadlines, minimum GPA required, eligible grade levels, residency requirement, eligible majors and a link to the scholarship itself for detailed information and to apply. Good luck!

1. AAEP Coyote Rock Ranch Scholarship – Three scholarships of $75,000 offered annually
2. Alberta Equestrian Federation offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to members.
3. American Association of Equine Practitioners lists five scholarships for second- and third-year students.
4. American Horse Council Foundation — offers five (5) “Future Leaders Professional Development” Scholarships to cover the cost of conference registration for Agriculture/ Equine college students wishing to attend the AHC Annual Conference in Washington DC.
5. American Morgan Horse Association — The American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust (AMHECT) annually offers a total of 8 different grants/scholarships.
6. American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarships — The Foundation selects recipients based on financial need, academic merit, equine involvement and civic activities.
7. American Veterinary Medical Association offers a variety of scholarships of varying amounts
8. Animal Compassion Undergraduate Scholarship – $500
9. Arabian Horse Foundation Scholarships — multiple scholarships are awarded to high school students that have represented the Arabian breed in a positive manner, have performed well in their studies and have been excellent members in their communities.
10. Athletics Sports Management offers excellent information for those looking for equestrian scholarships including a video addressing the question of how to get an equestrian scholarship and a listing of Level 1 and 2 NCAA colleges that offer equestrian scholarships and programs.
11. The Charles M. Kramer scholarship is designed to assist a Shelby County student who intends to pursue a postsecondary degree in tourism/hospitality, equine studies, communications, or advertising/marketing and have a career in Shelby County. The scholarship will be awarded to pay tuition toward a degree at an accredited institution. The $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student to be determined by a committee of the Shelby County Tourism Commission.
12. Doris C. Murphy Scholarship in Equine Science at Rutgers University offers financial assistance to undergraduate women who are New Jersey residents majoring in Animal Sciences with a concentration in Equine Science. Scholarships will be awarded annually to full-time undergraduate Rutgers University students (including at least one incoming student).
13. The Duane Fulps Memorial Scholarship — Applications will be given to any qualifying high school or home schooled senior of current year that is a member of the Fort Dalles Riders Club Jr. Riders in The Dalles, Oregon.
14. Dude Ranch Foundation Scholarship Program — The goal of this program is to support the dude ranching industry and the future of dude ranching by providing financial assistance and encouragement to students pursuing an educational program that will lead to a career of benefit to them and the dude ranch industry.
15. The Ed Brown Society Scholarship makes it possible for minority students in the equine field to pursue a career within the Thoroughbred industry. Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshman, and current sophomore, junior, and senior students.
16. Equus Foundation Scholarships — To inspire and reward the next generation of equine professionals, the EQUUS Foundation awards scholarships to junior and senior level undergraduate and graduate level students enrolled in equine studies programs at institutions of higher learning listed on the EQUUS Foundation’s Equine Education Network.
17. Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education Scholarship – This scholarship was created to provide interest-free loans to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and significant financial need. High school seniors may also apply. Loan amounts generally range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a $60,000 lifetime cap per student.
18. Fergus Area College Foundation Scholarship – Fergus Area College Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to both first and second-year students, full and part-time, for classes taken at M State.
19. The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers’ Association annually bestows the Allen J. Finkelson Memorial Scholarship, which is named in memory of one of harness racing’s marketing legends. This scholarship fund has helped young people realize their career dreams with grants for continuing education in the equine and communications industries. Applicants must be a Florida resident and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
20. Foundation for the Horse awards a variety of annual scholarships and grants for equine veterinary students and graduate degree-seeking researchers who are members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
21. The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation was established in memory of Gerry Dilger (1958-2020), by his family and closest friends. Gerry was a native of Co. Clare, Ireland, and came to America at the young age of 19, to pursue his passion in the horse industry. In 1994, he established Dromoland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and had a successful career as a horseman, breeding and consigning thoroughbred horses. Over the next 26 years, he mentored young people who had the same dreams as he did. To continue Gerry’s work the foundation is pleased to offer four annual scholarships in conjunction with KEMI, The Irish National Stud and Spring House Farm.
22. Great Minds in STEM Scholars – The mission of this organization is to inspire and motivate underserved students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
23. Each year, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) awards one or more USHJA members funds through the Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school, totalling $25,000 each year.
24. Harness Horse Youth Foundation — Four scholarships are offered by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. Applicants for HHYF scholarships must be at least high school seniors and preferably under the age of 25. The selection criteria for all of the scholarships include demonstrated scholastic achievement, including but not limited to the applicant’s GPA; financial need; completeness of application, quality of essay, and video questions.
25. Harris Farms Santa Anita Thoroughbred Sporthorse Scholarship Program offers $1,000 to one junior rider and $1,000 to one amateur rider who ride Thoroughbreds to help them progress from schooling shows to U.S. Equestrian Federation-recognized competition. Funds can be used for lessons, clinics, travel, competition fees, and other related costs.
26. Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund—Scholarships are awarded for education or skill training after high school and are based upon financial need, merit, biographical essays, and personal interviews. To be eligible for a HFWEAF Scholarship, at least one of the applicant’s parents must have worked full-time for the last three years on a central Kentucky Thoroughbred horse farm and currently be employed by a farm. Applicants must have completed high school or a GED program.
27. Jockey Club Scholarships To be eligible for any of the five Jockey Club’s scholarships, an individual must be a resident of the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico.
28. Johnson & Wales University Scholarship – This JWU website page offers a listing of a number of scholarships that assist students in paying for college as well as recognizing a wide variety of scholarships and grant opportunities offered by outside organizations.
29. Meadows Standardbred Owners Association Collegiate Scholarships: Applicants must be a son or daughter of an owner, trainer, driver or groom who has participated in harness racing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on a regular basis over the past two years preceding the application. Said parent must be a member of the MSOA, and the applicant must at least be a senior in high school. One application covers all of the listed scholarships.
30. NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWGIRL SCHOLARSHIP: The goal of the National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship Program is to empower and support women who embody the spirit of the American cowgirl—a spirit embodied by women who show strength, confidence, and resiliency, and who aspire to contribute to the western way of life through the passionate pursuit of a career within the Western, agriculture, farm and ranch, equine, or Western sports industries. Applicants must be a female citizen of the United States or Canada.
31. Northern New Mexico Horsemen’s Association (NNMHA) Scholarships: These scholarships are generally used for study by a resident of northern New Mexico at an educational institution that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and has a body of students in attendance. These may include community colleges, colleges and other training program related to equines.Scholarship funding is paid to the provider. NNMHA also offers the Eldon and Karen Reyer Youth Scholarship to support students interested in pursuing higher education in agriculture or equine science. To be eligible for the $2,000 scholarship, students must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be a New Mexico resident and complete an application. This organization also offers grants and sponsorships.
32. Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Scholarships: The OHHA Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and students enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Graduate students are eligible if they are enrolled in a harness racing-specific graduate or professional-level program. The scholarships are based on academic merit and must be used towards the cost and expenses related to coursework and a degree being pursued at a college or university. In addition, the applicant or a family member must be an OHHA member.
33. Plaid Horse put together this extensive list of grants and scholarships available for those looking to pursue a career with horses.
34. Race for Education Scholarships – offers five scholarships valued from $1000 to $5000.
35. Ronald S. Dancer Memorial Scholarship: Scholarships will be awarded annually to full-time undergraduate Rutgers University students (including at least one incoming student). Criteria include New Jersey residency, acceptance or current enrollment at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, academic merit, demonstrated interest in equine science, and demonstrated leadership and service to the community, school, and to the horse industry. Scholarships may be renewed annually with the approval of the scholarship selection committee.
36. Scholarships.com put together this list of Equine Studies scholarships.
37. The Sagebrush Circuit – Lew & JoAnn Eklund Educational Scholarship – This scholarship for $2000, the highest attainable scholarship available from the Appaloosa Youth Foundation, is given to members of the ApHC or the son or daughter of an ApHC member, is awarded to a college junior, senior, or graduate student who is pursuing a degree in a major field of study that is closely related to the equine industry.
38. The Stephens College scholarship program was created to support students who are committed to continuing their involvement in the American Saddlebred and/or equine industries. These two scholarships, each for $10,000, are open to high school juniors and seniors and will be awarded to two students who wish to participate in equestrian activities while advancing their education at Stephens College, in Columbia, Mo.
39. The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation’s mission is to support and promote equine education and research by sponsoring scholarships in veterinary medicine and supporting organizations that are educating the public in the proper care of horses. They have a long list of scholarships available!
40. The USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarships for graduating high-school seniors. Created to support students who are committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college through an equestrian-related degree, volunteerism, or internship; riding on an intercollege equestrian team; or other equestrian-related activity, the scholarship awards a $1,000 grant to each recipient to be used towards education expenses at their respective college or university.
41. William Woods University Equestrian Science Scholarship – Recommendation from trainer and videotape of riding required.
42. York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund based in Pennsylvania, offers the Hayes Scholarship, a one-year $3,200 scholarship for an Equine studies major for a college junior, senior or graduate studen

Photo:
Dr. Heidi Bockhold Adjusts Horse by DrDennisEschbach; CC BY-SA 3.0