Aug. 2, 2016 — Lexington, KY — USA Equestrian Trust has awarded nearly $50,000 in
USA Equestrian Trust
grants to help fund equine-focused projects by seven non-profits. Since the inception of its grants program, the Trust has awarded more than $1.9 million in grants.
The projects funded as part of the grant application period ending in May were:
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EQUINE PRACTITIONERS FOUNDATION ($15,000) to support the Equine Disease Communication Center, which alerts the industry to outbreaks of disease in an effort to prevent their spread. The Center also serves as an educational resource on infectious diseases affecting horses.
AMERICAN YOUTH HORSE COUNCIL, INC. ($5,000) to conduct a marketing campaign designed to increase awareness of available equine educational resources. The organization's plans include creation of uniformly branded marketing materials and targeted social media advertising, as well as the posting of additional content on its website (http://www.ayhc.com).
EQUINE ASSISTED TRANSITIONS, INC. ($5,000) to fund a summer equine program for children of members of the military. Located near Fort Campbell, the organization has provided more than 50 children of soldiers with an introduction to horses.
GIRL SCOUTS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ($10,000) to support its popular equestrian program at Camp Skymeadow outside of Pittsburgh. The number of girls attending the equestrian program has doubled over the last two years to nearly 450.
HIGH HOPES THERAPEUTIC RIDING, INC. ($5,000) to support its equine therapy initiatives, which include a growing focus on veterans. During its 2015 fiscal year, the organization provided nearly 8,600 horsemanship lessons to more than 1,500 people.
SACRAMENTO AREA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION ($5,000) to offer a free training clinic to its members, who are entry-level exhibitors and low-budget owners. The money for this grant was allocated from funding reserved for Hunter/Jumper activities in California and Nevada.
THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION, INC. ($4,281) to purchase exhibit items for and rent booth space at the 2017 FEI World Cup Jumping and FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Omaha, near the organization's offices in Lincoln.
The Trust’s next grant application period will begin early in 2017. Equine non-profits wishing to make a request for funding during that application period will be required to fill out the online application form at http://trusthorses.org. To be notified once the application period has opened, please email [email protected].
About USA Equestrian Trust
USA Equestrian Trust's mission is to assist in preserving and/or enhancing the quality of equestrian sport in the United States of America. Its objects and purposes are exclusively charitable, educational and dedicated to the fostering of equestrian sports. The Trust is a private foundation pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code.