USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals and $25,000 USHJA Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education Applications Open for 2024

Lexington, Ky.—Jan. 3, 2024—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to open applications for the 2024 Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals and $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education. Both opportunities are currently accepting applications from active USHJA members.

The Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals offers three young pony riders the opportunity to attend and compete at USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farms, held August 6-11 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. 

The grant is open to active USHJA members that 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 March 15.

"It means the world to me to be a recipient of the Gochman Grant! I have loved ponies my whole life and the opportunity to ride at Pony Finals is a dream come true," exclaimed Maren Bonus, one of the 2023 Gochman Grant recipients. "I am so grateful to the Gochman family and to the USHJA."  

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 am truly honored to be a recipient of the Hamel Family Scholarship. I am proud to be a part of such a welcoming equestrian community while I continue my studies," said Kylie Cohen, one of two 2023 Hamel Family Scholarship recipients. "This scholarship will assist me in achieving my goals as a creative writing professional and it also allow me to continue my journey as a lifelong student of horses."

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.

For more information about the Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, visit ushja.org/gochman. To learn more about the USHJA $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education, visit ushja.org/hamel. Learn more about all of the grants and scholarships USHJA offers at ushja.org/grants.

Photos: Rachel Milewski/USHJA, Provided by Kylie Cohen