Funding Dreams
In 2023, we gave $240,000+ back to our Hunter/Jumper community through grants, scholarships, and program support.
Discover the financial opportunities available to help fund your Hunter/Jumper dreams, explore our educational programs for endless growth, and immerse yourself with 30 competition programs to get involved in our sport.
Grants & Scholarship Opportunities to Nurture Your Future
Experiential
GOCHMAN GRANT FOR USEF PONY FINALS
Pony Finals is not just another competition, it offers educational opportunities and chances for young riders to develop friendships and connections that will follow them throughout their equestrian careers and beyond. Each year, the USHJA Foundation offers three young riders the opportunity to attend and compete at USEF Pony Finals. The Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals is made possible by the generosity of Becky and David Gochman and their family
Learn More | Applications for 2024 have closed.
Education
$25,000 HAMEL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FOR FURTHER EDUCATION
The Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education is designed to encourage further education among equestrians. Through a generous donation from the Kristen and James Hamel Family Foundation, the USHJA awards one or more USHJA members funds to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school, totaling $25,000 each year.
Eligible candidates may apply for the Hamel Family Scholarship every year but may only be awarded the scholarship once. The USHJA Foundation will award the scholarship mid-summer each year.
Learn More | Applications for 2024 have closed.
ALVIN TOPPING GOVERNANCE GRANT
Alvin Topping has spent over 50 years in the sport of hunters and jumpers as an owner, trainer, rider and governance volunteer. He has over 40 years of experience in the governance of equestrian sport, serving as a member or chair of several USEF committees and as the founding treasurer of the USHJA, the largest Affiliate of the USEF. The Alvin Topping Governance Grant was established to honor Topping's work in equestrian sport governance, including his commitment to the establishment and success of the USHJA. One $500 grant is awarded annually to assist one USHJA member, 25 years of age or under) with funding to support their attendance at the USHJA or USEF annual meeting.
Learn More | Applications for 2024 have closed.
KELLER GRANT FOR EQUESTRIAN EXCELLENCE
The Charles "Chuck" Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence offers one $500 grant to one USHJA Emerging Athlete's National Training Session participant each year for the purpose of furthering their equestrian training.
SUNNY STEVENS STABLE MANAGER AWARD
The Sunny Stevens Stable Manager Award was created to honor Sunny’s passion for stable management education and dedication to the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program.
NAOMI BLUMENTHAL MEMORIAL TRAINING GRANT
The Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant provides financial support for equestrians that are members of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Professional Horseman’s Association or United States Hunter Jumper Association and wish to continue their equestrian education. Created in honor of Naomi Blumenthal, the grant is intended to support the furtherance of equestrian education in any of the following areas: Hunter/Jumper Licensed Officials Education as a judge, course designer or steward; USHJA Instructor Credential; or individually identified educational opportunities designed to advance professional equestrian related business and horsemanship knowledge. A total of $2,000 awarded to at least one member per year.
Learn More | Applications for 2024 have closed.
USHJA PROGRAM SUPPORT
The USHJA Foundation contributes funds annually to supplement select USHJA programs as well as educational grants and scholarships awarded by the USHJA zones. With the Foundation and zones working together, zones are able to award more substantial grants to their members for programs such as Emerging Athletes Program, Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, Emerging Jumper/Rider Program & Gold Star Clinics, and other zone-specific grants, scholarships and programs offered.
Competition
J.T. TALLON MEMORIAL EQUITATION GRANT
The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant was developed by friends and family to honor the late, J.T. Tallon, a Lexington, Virginia horseman and USHJA member who dedicated his career to equestrian sport for over 40 years. Each year, one junior rider with limited financial resources who has qualified for a national equitation championship at a fence height of 3' or higher will be awarded $1,000 to assist with the expense of attending the competition.
Learn More | Applications for 2024 have closed.
Humanitarian
HORSEMAN'S ASSISTANCE FUND
The USHJA Foundation Horseman's Assistance Fund protects the welfare of our hunter/jumper community by providing emergency financial assistance to USHJA members after a life-changing illness, injury, catastrophic accident, or natural disaster. The majority of the gifts distributed from the fund are between $1,000 and $10,000 and intended to assist with medical expenses and basic living expenses.
If you need assistance, please call (859) 225-6736.
