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 Veterinary Medical Association offers a variety of scholarships of varying amounts
5. Animal Compassion Undergraduate Scholarship – $500
6. 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.
7. AQHF Foundation Scholarships
8. 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).
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Foundation for the Horse awards a variety of annual scholarships for equine veterinary students and graduate degree-seeking researchers who are members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
14. 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.
15. 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)
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Plaid Horse put together this extensive list of grants and scholarships available for those looking to pursue a career with horses.
19. Race for Education Scholarships – offers five scholarships valued from $1000 to $5000.
20. Scholarships.com put together this list of Equine Studies scholarships.
21. 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.
22. 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!
23. 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.
24. William Woods University Equestrian Science Scholarship – Recommendation from trainer and videotape of riding required.
25. 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