The Application Process The idea of receiving grant money may sound very appeal- ing but applicants should be prepared to do a little legwork. For starters, even uncovering which grants and scholarships are available is harder than it sounds. You’ve got a head start with this list but not all programs are listed on the relevant websites, so be prepared to test your Google skills or call each organization directly. Navigating the application process can be a challenge as
well. Competition for grants and scholarships can be fierce and the applications can be lengthy and detailed. Jenny Johnson, the executive director of The Dressage Foundation, advises applicants to read all of the information and direc- tions carefully. “Pay attention to details and things like the number of references required, and be sure to answer all of the questions,” she says. “These can get very competitive and can come down to details.” Be sure to be aware of any special requirements or param-
eters which may apply to a grant or scholarship. For example, some have age requirements, some are limited to Pony Club graduates, some are limited to amateur riders, and some may require proof of community service or active participation on behalf of your sport. Nancy Knight, the USEA’s director of ed- ucation, says a common problem she sees is applicants who haven’t fulfilled the required volunteer hours and/or didn’t get them signed off. Attention to these details can make the difference between being awarded a grant or not.
Where Does Grant Money Come From? Grants are funded through fundraising, private donations and/or corporate sponsorships. In 2013, for example, Land Rover awarded $264,500 in competition and training grants for event riders, providing eighteen horse-and-rider com- binations with funding to compete here and abroad. (Land Rover will be sponsoring these same grants for 2015 but the deadline had already passed when we went to press.) Most of the other grants we found are funded privately. Sponsoring a grant or scholarship can be a generous way
to “give back” to fellow equestrians. A grant in someone’s name leaves a legacy for a sport they cared about, and a grant in the name of a beloved horse can be a wonderful remembrance. Anyone interested in funding a grant or spon- sorship should contact their sport’s governing organization. Grants and scholarships are a great way for equestrian
sports’ governing bodies to develop talent and interest within the sport. They’re also a great way for talented and dedicated riders to improve their skills and ultimately pro- mote their sport. Our future Olympians, judges and profes- sional trainers may be able to build their skills and boost their careers right now with help from one of these financial resources. Continual educational and international experi- ences are important for America’s growth, advancement and promotion of our sports. In that way, grants help us all, even if we never receive one directly.
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