Applications Open for J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant

Riley Hogan Received the 2020 Grant

Lexington, Ky.—April 5, 2021—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that applications are open for the J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant. The grant provides support to USHJA members with limited financial resources so they can compete in a junior equitation final that they have qualified to attend. The application deadline for the J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant is August 1.

To apply, members must meet eligibility requirements that include being an active USHJA member, U.S. citizen or legal resident, being a junior rider that has qualified for a national equitation final of 3' or higher on a horse (pony riders are not eligible for this grant), and must demonstrate financial need. Learn more about the requirements here. 

Last year’s grant recipient was Riley Hogan of Warrenton, Virginia. Hogan, 17, has been riding most of her life, growing up fox hunting and showing locally. Hogan always dreamed of competing in an equitation final. 

“This has been a dream of mine ever since I was young and watched Tori Colvin on the live stream when she won the Maclay Finals,” Hogan wrote in her application. “Having the chance to attend these national finals without putting a large burden on my family will help me gain experience that will assist me in my future ability and confidence when it comes time to compete in college.”

Hogan is a working student and catch rides many of the horses she competes. She is described as a hard worker who spends as much time working in the barn as she does riding and who takes time to get to know the horses. She was a past recipient of the USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals in 2016.

The J.T. Tallon Grant assisted Hogan in attending a final in 2020. She competed in the ASPCA Maclay Finals, Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals, USEF Medal Finals and the USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals-East, where she placed eleventh.

"It was amazing to be able to have my dreams come true without putting as much of a financial strain on my family," Hogan said about receiving the grant. "I think the most memorable moment was just competing alongside my friends and having a great team behind me!"

The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation grant honors Tallon's commitment to encouraging excellence in the equitation arena by inspiring junior riders with a passion for equitation to pursue their goals. Tallon was part of a group that founded the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association, led the Southern Seminary for Women to IHSA championship victory eight times, and the Randolph-Macon Woman’s College won three championships with his leadership as Equestrian Director.

The grant was developed by friends and family of the late J.T. Tallon. Learn more at ushja.org/jttallon.

Photo provided by Riley Hogan