Foundation News
USHJA Foundation Announces The “Making A Dream” Scholarship Program
February 14, 2011
Lexington, Kentucky – February 14, 2011 – Have you ever had an equestrian dream that you just couldn’t quite reach?
Do you wish you could have a special experience in the equestrian world but challenging circumstances have gotten in your way?
If so, then a newly launched scholarship program may just make your dreams reality.
The USHJA Foundation “Making A Dream” Scholarship Program is philanthropic in nature and extends opportunities to individuals with
unique circumstances who seek a special experience in the sport of hunters and jumpers. Each experience is custom-designed depending
upon the specific interests of the recipient who will receive the resources needed to help in “Making A Dream.”
Unique circumstances recipients might face include, but are not limited to, physical or other challenges and/or resource limitations.
The program, fully implemented in 2011, was inspired by Elizabeth “Lizzy” Traband, of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, the inaugural scholarship recipient.
With her scholarship funds, Traband is spending two weeks training and showing on the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida,
during the month of February. She received a complementary stall from show manager Dave Burton of Littlewood Farm, lessons from trainers such as Louise
Serio, Lynn Jayne and Liza Towell Boyd, and accommodations.
Traband, 13, who was born without a left hand, has worked hard to overcome the challenge and become the best rider she can be. With support from her
parents Mark and Annette Traband of Carousel Farm, Lizzy has become a recognized local competitor, a performer with Tommie Turvey’s “Night Of Amazing Horses”
and clinician in horsemanship for children. Lizzy’s trick pony Toby became a coveted Breyer model in 2009.
While performing a bridleless riding exhibition during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last fall, Lizzy caught the attention of the professional
hunter riders there representing the USHJA. They invited her to work with them, and the USHJA scholarship “Making A Dream” was born.
“Receiving this scholarship is great,” said Lizzy. “I’m learning tons. This is by far my biggest show experience. It’s amazing to come here and learn
about the different trainers, their programs and how they care for their horses. I’m learning tips I can take home to improve myself and tips I can teach to other riders.
“It means a lot too that I helped to inspire this scholarship because there are more kids out there in the same situation,” she added. “They have
the talent and motivation and really want to get the support to do it.”
Any USHJA member—junior, amateur or professional—may be nominated for the scholarship. Nominations may be made by any USHJA member, parent, friend
or medical professional. An individual may only be nominated once per year, and a person may win only once.
The USHJA Foundation Board of Directors will review nominations and select recipients through the year. For more information on the “Making A Dream” scholarship program,
please contact Whitney Allen, wallen@ushja.org or 859.225.6707.
Click Here to download a nomination form for the "Making A Dream" Scholarship Program
USHJA Foundation: Making a Difference in 2010
December 13, 2010
The USHJA Foundation, now in its second year of operation, dedicated 2010 to developing and launching the Horseman’s Assistance Fund.
The fund provides emergency financial support to individuals who require assistance resulting from illness, injury or who are otherwise
incapacitated due to a catastrophic accident or natural disaster.
This year, with the help of generous donors and fundraising efforts, the Foundation provided more than $38,000 to USHJA members in need.
This assistance provided urgent relief to a life-long equestrian with stage 4 lung cancer, an aspiring young professional who broke her back,
a braider unable to work after receiving life-saving surgery, and a seasoned horse trainer injured in a fall.
"I’m thrilled and inspired by the dedication of our board and volunteers. They have all worked hard to make the Horseman’s Assistance
Fund a reality," said Lynn Jayne, USHJA Foundation president. "Helping fellow horsemen and women is a passion that should be shared by
everyone in the industry.
"The Foundation has structured itself to promote that passion and, not only support those in urgent need, but support the industry as
a whole through grants and program support," Jayne continued. "Each contributor to the Foundation will know he or she has personally made
a difference. With .90 cents of every dollar going directly to this and other important programs, we encourage every member, as well as
all hunter/jumper enthusiasts, to help support the industry through the USHJA Foundation."
In 2011, the USHJA Foundation will continue the Horseman’s Assistance Fund and will expand the fund opportunities to horses and organizations.
A Look Ahead
The Foundation will launch two new programs in 2011—a Zone Scholarship program, which will provide supplemental support for USHJA Zones looking to create
educational scholarships for their constituents; and a grants program to provide funding for organizations, research efforts or individuals looking to make a difference in the sport.
It’s only through donations and fundraising that the USHJA Foundation is able to continue its work. In addition to the scholarships, grants and
emergency assistance, the Foundation will provide support for USHJA programs such as the Emerging Athletes Program, which identifies young talented
riders across the country and provides them with education from top professionals in our sport.
The USHJA Foundation provides philanthropic equestrians and supporters of our industry with the ability to take an important role in the future
of the sport. We ask you to help us in Making A Difference in our sport by supporting the USHJA Foundation.
AHJF Embraces USHJA: Two Organizations Now Become One
May 21, 2010 Diana DeRosa
"Now is the right time," commented Geoff Teall, a note of enthusiasm in his voice at the prospect of having
the strength and programs of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) now go to supporting the similar goals of
the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and its Foundation.
Since its inception in 1992, the AHJF has established itself by creating a new vision for the sport of hunters
in the United States. Now after five years of growth, the USHJA has not only established these same goals but has the
resources, staffing and vision to take them even further.
AHJF founders Geoff Teall and Louise Serio are proud of what the AHJF has achieved, especially the much sought
after World Champion Hunter Rider awards program. However, they have always had one more dream they wanted to achieve
and that is to create an endowment fund to secure the future of our sport. By uniting their efforts with the
USHJA and its Foundation, they see that vision becoming a reality. They want to initiate the first step by
transferring the current assets of the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund to the USHJA Foundation's Horseman's Assistance
Fund and be one of the first to kick off the endowment fund. The Horseman's Assistance Fund is a charitable aid
program created by the USHJA Foundation and modeled after the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund.
Click here to read full story.
Silent Auction Supports USHJA Foundation and NARHA
December 29, 2008
Lexington, KY – A silent auction held by the United States Hunter Jumper Association
raised over $5,000 in proceeds to benefit the USHJA Foundation and the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The silent auction was held at the USHJA
Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN which took place December 8-11. Winning bids of the 28
donated items were announced at the Evening of Equestrians Awards Ceremony on December 10.
The USHJA Foundation promotes the hunter and jumper disciplines by supporting the programs
of the USHJA. NARHA is a nonprofit equine assisted therapy organization that has over 800 member
centers in the United States and Canada.
The silent auction featured a diverse range of items donated by affiliate and national organizations,
USHJA members and equine companies. Donated items ranged from private lessons with Olympians to collectables
for the upcoming 2010 World Games. Several trainers donated lessons to the auction including: Colleen McQuay,
Louise Serio, William Simpson, Karen Healey, Candice King, Geoff Teall, Archie Cox and Laura Kraut.
Click here to read full story.
The USHJA Announces the Creation of the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation
July 14, 2008
Lexington, KY - In December of 2007, the USHJA Board of Directors unanimously approved the
creation of the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. The USHJA Foundation is an independent
organization, developed in response to the requests of members to support the programs of the USHJA, while
creating and implementing additional initiatives to benefit our sport.
The programs that the new USHJA Foundation will be supporting include educational scholarships through our
USHJA Zones, projects that foster growth at the grassroots level of participation, Trainers' Symposiums, the
Emerging Athletes Program and emergency relief for members of our equestrian community needing assistance.
The USHJA Foundation's primary responsibility is to solicit and receive charitable contributions from
individuals and entities which will assist the USHJA in fulfilling its mission. Contributors will be able to
make restricted or unrestricted donations to support the programs of their choice.
Click here to read full story.