Application Deadlines Announced for 2025 USHJA Grants and Scholarships

Lexington, Ky.—March 7, 2025—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the application deadlines for this year's grants and scholarships. From educational scholarships to financial assistance for competition and training opportunities, these programs provide valuable resources to help riders, trainers, and equine professionals achieve their goals.

Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals

The Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals offers three young pony riders the opportunity to attend and compete at USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall+Sterling, held August 5-10 in Lexington, Kentucky. Experiential in nature, each grant recipient is provided access to a qualified pony, if needed, and will train throughout the week with experienced professionals. Recipients will also be exposed to additional educational experiences, including clinics, during their time at the Kentucky Horse Park. The grant is made possible by the generosity of Becky and David Gochman and their family. 

"It has been a dream come true for Drue," said Christine Fellona, mother of a 2024 Gochman Grant recipient. "[USEF Pony Finals] was one of her goals in life, and to be able to obtain that goal at 11 years old is pretty amazing. We're just so thankful for the opportunity because without the grant, this isn't something we would be able to financially provide for her."

The grant is open to active USHJA members who have not previously competed at Pony Finals and have jumping experience at a minimum fence height of 2'3". In addition to financial need, applicants should exemplify the qualities most important in the sport: horsemanship, tenacity, and good sportsmanship. Interested applicants can apply here, and applications close on March 15.

"[USEF Pony Finals] is a big step in the equestrian world and the first step toward my dream of [going to] the Olympics," remarked 2024 Gochman Grant recipient Kameron Berry. "My favorite part of the week was showing in the Rolex [Stadium], and all the experiences and tours were a lot of fun."

For more information about the Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, visit ushja.org/gochman.

$25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education

The $25,000 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.

"I was honored to be chosen as a recipient of the $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education," Karlie Dennis said, one of the 2024 recipients. "This scholarship will allow me to continue my education and riding career [...] at Seton Hill University where I will be studying Sports Management and riding on the NCAA Division II equestrian team. Thank you to USHJA, the Hamel Family, and my coach Alyssa Stevens of Fox Hollow Stables, who has always supported and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I hope that one day I will be able to 'pay it forward' to other minority riders as I continue my equine career."

Interested applicants should have a two-year consecutive USHJA Membership at the Education/Non-Competing level or higher; be accepted to a college, university, trade or professional school for the current school year; and have a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. For those not recently in school, equivalent employment history will be considered. Applications are open here and close May 15.

To learn more about the USHJA $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education, visit ushja.org/hamel.

J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant

The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant provides $1,000 to one Junior rider who has qualified for a select national Equitation championship at a fence height of 3’ or higher. Applications open on April 1 and must be received by August 1 to be considered.

The grant is open to USHJA Active/Competing Junior members in good standing who have qualified for one of the following equitation championships with a fence height of 3' or higher on a horse. Eligible national finals include the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, ASPCA Maclay Finals, Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search - East or West, Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals, National PHA Medal, Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children's Medal Finals, Hamel Foundation National Horse Show 3'3" Equitation Championship, Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East or West, or the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal.

Previous winners of the grant have gone on to compete in the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3'3'' Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East and West, Hamel Foundation National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship, ASPCA Maclay Finals, Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals, and more.

"It is such an honor to have been selected as the recipient of the J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant," remarked Helena Timpany, 2024 recipient. "My trainer, Abbi Ferrigno; my mom; and I have worked so hard [...] to achieve all of the Equitation finals goals that I had. This grant supports all of our efforts towards my participation in the finals instead of a lot of hard work going unfulfilled."

The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant debuted in 2018 and was developed by friends and family of the late J.T. Tallon, a Lexington, Virginia, horseman and USHJA member who dedicated his career to equestrian sport for over 40 years. Its purpose is to honor Tallon's commitment to encouraging excellence in Equitation by inspiring Junior riders to pursue their goals. Through this grant, Juniors with limited financial means who have qualified for one of the select national Equitation finals are provided the support they need to attend.

For more information and to apply, visit ushja.org/tallon.

Alvin Topping Governance Grant

The Alvin Topping Governance Grant will award $500 to one USHJA member 25 years old or younger to assist them with attending the USHJA Annual Meeting or US Equestrian Annual Meeting. An anonymous donor established the $500 grant to honor Topping’s work in equestrian sport governance, including his commitment to the establishment and success of USHJA.

"Getting the Alvin Topping Governance Grant means so much to me," 2024 recipient Kameron Berry expressed. "It’s an amazing honor and reminds me that even young people can make a difference in this sport. This opportunity pushes me to work harder, dream bigger, and do my part to make the equestrian world even better. I’m really thankful for this chance and so excited about what’s ahead."

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be an active USHJA member in good standing, 25 years of age or under, and demonstrate financial need. Applications for the Alvin Topping Governance Grant open on August 1 and close on October 12.

"The Alvin Topping Governance Grant allowed me to travel to Denver, Colorado, for the USHJA Annual Meeting, where I was able to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the day-to-day of equestrian sport," said 2019 recipient Annie Birmingham. "I was thrilled to take this knowledge back to our local affiliate organization, the Long Island Professional Horsemen’s Association, where I serve as the secretary and advisor to the junior committee. I am endlessly grateful to the USHJA Foundation for their continued support and commitment to education and growth within the industry."

For more information about the Alvin Topping Governance Grant, visit ushja.org/alvintoppinggrant. 

Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant

The Naomi Blumenthal Training Grant was created in partnership with the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and The Professional Horsemen's Association of America. In honor of Blumenthal's passion for the sport and sharing of knowledge, the grant awards $2,000 to at least one USHJA, IHSA, IEA, or PHA member per year. 

The grant is intended to be used for educational opportunities designed to advance professional equestrian-related business and horsemanship knowledge, including becoming a Hunter/Jumper Licensed Official as a judge, course designer, or steward; completing the USHJA Instructor Credential; or other educational opportunities. The Naomi Blumenthal Training Grant applications open on August 1 and close on October 15.

"Naomi’s unwavering dedication to education and the equine industry was an inspiration to myself, as well as countless others," said Lana Ciaramella, the 2024 recipient. "As a lifelong learner, I am humbled to have the opportunity to pursue training to give back to the equine community through the USHJA in her memory."

For more information about the Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant, visit ushja.org/blumenthalgrant.

USHJA Program Support

The USHJA Foundation also contributes funds to supplement select USHJA programs as well as grants and scholarships. Among the programs supported is the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, which offers young riders a pathway to develop their skills under top industry professionals. Applications are open here and close on April 1.

Additionally, the Foundation contributes to the Instructor Credential Grant, which aids equestrian professionals in becoming a USHJA Credentialed Instructor. This program combines online education, in-person workshops, and live testing to ensure instructors are equipped with the knowledge and skills to guide the next generation of riders. Applications are open here and close on October 15.

For each of these grants, a total of $6,000 will be awarded with individual grants not exceeding $500.

Learn more about all of the grants and scholarships USHJA offers, including additional program support, at ushja.org/grants.

Photos: Rachel Milewski/USHJA, Avery Wallace/US Equestrian, Courtesy of Helena Timpany, Terisé Cole/USHJA, SDH Photography, and MaryJo Peters/USHJA