The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is reopening the application window for its Merit scholarship program through July 1, 2024. RHF Merit Scholarships are new and designed to reward NRHA members who have not previously won an RHF scholarship. Eligibility is for students already pursuing their post-high school education at an accredited college or trade school program.
Three awards of $1,500 each are available. To see the complete criteria and access the online application, visit the scholarship application at NRHyA.com/scholarships.
The first section of 2024 merit scholarship winners were selected after a spring deadline. RHF congratulates Ryan Jensen of Loveland, Colorado, and Alex Loftin of Chester, Arkansas.
Jensen is a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She is pursuing a degree in corporate communications. She plans to work in commercial real estate communications. She has earned the Baylor Academic Distinction Award and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Jensen also competes on the university equestrian team.
Loftin attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and is pursuing a degree in ag business and pre-law with a minor in legal studies. His goal is to become an attorney. He rode on his university’s Ranch Horse Team in 2023 and was the collegiate novice ranch horse champion. In addition to participating in collegiate organizations, he serves as a volunteer firefighter.
“Congratulations to these students, who are the first to be awarded the RHF Merit Scholarships,” said Terri Mainey, chair of the RHF Scholarship Committee. “The Reining Horse Foundation is proud to have added five new awards for 2024 as part of expanding our total scholarship offerings. We hope more students will take advantage of this opportunity for help achieving their education.”
For nearly 25 years, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association. With its mission of caring for and honoring the reining community, the RHF has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund providing financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarship and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.