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EQUUS Foundation Announces 2020 Equine Service Scholarship Recipients
The Rewards of Balancing Family, Academics, Sports and Volunteer Service
Thanks to Ariat International, the EQUUS Foundation awards scholarships to volunteers at equine charities in appreciation of their volunteer service on behalf of horse welfare. The scholarships are used to further their academic education and to obtain certification to pursue a career as a therapeutic horsemanship instructor.
"Based on current demographic and economic trends in the United States, public access and involvement with horses, especially among young people, is declining. The outstanding individuals receiving scholarships this year are a testament to the fact that young people today care about the welfare of America's horses and want to make a difference," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Kaylee Joblon, Joseph Lehn, and McKenna Pace will each receive an EQUUS Foundation $1,000 Champion of Equine Service Academic Scholarship to assist with the pursuit of undergraduate studies.
Ian David McFarlin will receive the $1,000 Champion of Equine Service Academic Scholarship specifically reserved for individuals affiliated with US Equestrian (USEF, Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), and/or the United States Pony Clubs (USPC).
Brittany Williams will receive a Champion of Equine Service Certification Scholarship to assist prospective instructors with the cost of obtaining the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) Certification. Shayna Mann will also receive a Champion of Equine Service Certification Scholarship made possible through a grant from Lessons in TR.
Ariat sponsors the EQUUS Foundation's Champions program which is dedicated to inspiring and rewarding equine service.
Champion of Equine Service Academic Scholarship Recipients
Colleen Fitzpatrick and DHOH "Miss Moppet"
Following her graduation from college, Colleen Fitzpatrick made the decision to move to Colorado. She started a job outside of the equine industry and soon after began thinking about how the countless hours she spent learning to care for horses, ride, and work in the equestrian industry had somehow gone to waste. She set out looking for an opportunity to volunteer with horses, and found her way to Drifter's Hearts of Hope (DHOH), a horse rescue located in Franktown, Colorado.
When she's not in the irons at the rescue, you can find her managing software implementations for Oracle | NetSuite and studying for her Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary. READ MORE . . .
Kaylee Joblon
Kaylee Joblon has not always had horses in her life, but since she started volunteering at Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue (LOHR) in Dover Plains, New York, in February, 2019, she can't imagine her life without them. Before then, Kaylee had ridden only twice before on trips with the Girl Scouts and was wary of horses because of their size and strength.
Kaylee is a senior at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, New York, where she is on the Varsity Girl's Lacrosse team, a National Honor Society member, and a Girl Scout. Kaylee will be attending Averett University in the fall of 2020 where she will study Equine Science and playing lacrosse. Upon completing an undergraduate degree, Kaylee plans to attend veterinary school. READ MORE . . .
Joseph Lehn and Diego
For as long as he can remember, Joseph Lehn has loved horses. There was only one problem, for the first 14 years of his life, Joseph was allergic to them. Anytime he was around horses, his eyes would swell shut, his asthma kicked in, his nose started running, he broke out in hives, and sneezed constantly.
But, there was no stopping Joseph, and in August, 2017, he decided to find a place to work or volunteer with horses. Joseph found Ride on St. Louis (ROSL), based in Cedar Hill, Missouri. Now a sophomore in high school, Joseph has started looking into equine degree programs to achieve his dream of working with horses as a career. Best of all, after being around horses so much, Joseph's allergies have subsided and he has been horse-allergy free for about a year! READ MORE . . .
McKenna Pace
In March, 2019, McKenna Pace started volunteering with TRAX Equestrian Center (TEC), a non-profit Equine Facilitated Learning Center for children and adults with neurological and physical disabilities in Riverside, California.
McKenna not only sees herself volunteering for many years to come, but also plans on incorporating equine therapy into her future career. McKenna is currently in her third year of her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, majoring in biological sciences. McKenna plans to advocate for equine therapy as a treatment option in the traditional healthcare system. READ MORE . . .
Champion of Equine Service Alliance Academic Scholarship Recipient
Ian McFarlin and Lachlan
A straight A student with the goal of one day becoming an equine veterinarian, Ian McFarlin's first exposure to the equestrian world was in 2017 when, on a lark, he decided to try a riding lesson. He quickly developed a passion for the sport and horses - competing as Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team member as well as a competing member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Assocation (USHJA), and the Southern Hunter Jumper Association (SHJA).
The high school sophomore balances the time demands of family, academics, sports and volunteer service. Ian puts his heart and soul into every task, taking pride in the positive impacts he sees coming from his volunteer activities at Hands and Hearts for Horses (HHH), in Thomasville, Georgia. READ MORE . . .
Champion of Equine Service PATH Certification Scholarship Recipients
Shayna Mann with Sally
Shayna Mann grew up with a love of horses. After graduating college, getting married, and having kids, Shayna realized how much she missed her involvement with horses. She also realized she wanted to make a difference in the world and to do something beyond herself, which has led her to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Shayna knew that the next step for her was to become a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) -- which meant she needed to find a PATH facility and mentor that could help her prepare for certification. Shayna found Rideability Therapeutic Riding Center (RTRC) in Clover, SC.
After being CTRI certified, Shayna's goal is to establish a nonprofit therapeutic riding facility to provide enjoyment and a therapeutic experience to individuals with disabilities and at the same time, create new homes and jobs for horses who need them.
READ MORE . . .
Brittany Williams with Gracie
In December, 2017, Brittany Williams was looking for an opportunity in her community that would allow her to work with horses. After a few internet searches, she stumbled upon StableStrides, based in Elbert, CO. Due to having a full-time job, Brittany dedicated every Saturday to volunteer work.
Fast forward to 2019 -- Brittany wasn't just at the barn on Saturdays. "I was at the barn any spare minute I could get outside of my work schedule (despite the 45-minute drive to get there). Any chance I could, I was in the saddle, or in the round pen or feeding and helping our clients."
In December, she joined staff full-time as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and part time assistant to our Equine Director. "In just 730 days, I went from just wanting to be involved with horses to being a full-time staff member of an incredible organization that has changed my entire life."READ MORE . . .
Learn more about Champions here
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ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.
ABOUT ARIAT INTERNATIONAL: Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.
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