Rodeo Scholarships
The world of equestrian sports, including riding, jumping, rodeo and barrel racing,
has grown in popularity across the country, and it’s no longer concentrated in the
Western schools. As the sport grows in popularity, however, so does competition
for scholarships, and the sport is definitely one where talent matters if you’re
vying for an award from a top equestrian program. If you consider yourself a top
equestrian, you could be eligible for a full or partial scholarship from your intended
college. To be eligible for college-based NCAA scholarships, equestrians must have
minimum GPAs and maintain good grades throughout their time at their intended schools,
so it’d be smart not to rule out academic scholarships to supplement your financial
aid package if you only receive a partial scholarship.
Equestrians who aren’t at the skill level to be accepted into a top riding program
but are still interested in keeping up with the sport as a hobby or on the club
level should look into scholarships run by local teams and organizations. Many of
the scholarships from equestrian foundations are disbursed based on not only an
applicant’s dedication to the sport but other criteria such as financial need and
school and community involvement. College-based rodeo scholarships will often come
from funds set up by alumni.
Check out some examples of where to find rodeo/equestrian scholarships below. For
additional information about awards based on different criteria, try conducting
a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
American Quarter Horse Association Scholarships
If you’re a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) or the American Quarter
Horse Youth Association (AQHYA), chances are you could be eligible for scholarships through
that organization. Awards are typically awarded through the state chapters of both
groups, so make sure you contact your state sponsor to know the kinds of awards
you could be eligible for. The scholarships, which range from $500 to $2,000, are
awarded based on financial need, academic merit and American Quarter Horse involvement.
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
January 27, Annually
In 1988, the National Collegiate Athletic Association established the Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program as a means of recognizing the contributions of the former executive director through encouraging excellence in academic performance by student-athletes. Under this program, one male and one female student-athlete annually will be awarded a postgraduate scholarship in recognition of [...] More
Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program™
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Scholar Athlete Program recognizes exceptional student athletes that are performing well in the classroom and on the field. To register for the scholarship, students need to apply online or be nominated by a coach, teacher, parent or friend. Students must be a senior in high school, currently attend a Washington State High School, have a 3.0 GPA or higher and participate in a sport. Students can [...] More
AQHF Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
December 01, Annually
Scholarship assistance will be awarded to a member of the American Quarter Horse Association or American Quarter Horse Youth Association competing in AQHA or AQHYA-approved shows. Applicants must be a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee to qualify. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, academic merit and American Quarter Horse involvement. Recipient [...] More
Appaloosa Youth Foundation Education Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
March 20, Annually
The Appaloosa Youth Foundation annually awards six youth educational scholarships of up to $1,000 each. One may be awarded in each of the six territories of the Appaloosa Horse Club. One be awarded at-large, and one may be awarded to a winner from the previous year in the form of a continuing scholarship. The Appaloosa Youth Foundation reserves the right to vary the number of scholarships [...] More
Appaloosa Youth Foundation Education Continuing Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
June 01, Annually
The Appaloosa Youth Foundation Education Continuing Scholarship is a $1,000 award available to one college student who will be attending college in the upcoming fall semester with a first or second semester sophomore standing. This applicant must have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5, or higher on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.8, or higher on a 6.0 scale during their freshman year in [...] More
Furman University Athletic Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Furman University Athletic Scholarships are partial to full scholarships awarded in 17 men's and women's intercollegiate sports. For more information, contact the director of athletics or the head coach in the sport in which you are [...] More
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Miss Rodeo America Pageant has provided educational assistance over the years to many contestants. Recognizing a need to further develop its scholarship program, the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation was established to provide educational scholarship funds to selected Miss Rodeo America Pageant participants. The Foundation, a separate corporation from Miss Rodeo America, Inc., [...] More
Race for Education Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Race for Education scholarship organization awards a number of scholarships to those pursuing equine-related or agricultural careers or who are interested in equine-related activities.
To be eligible for most of the scholarships, a young person must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or have a valid student visa
- Have a 2.85 grade point average; have a household income of [...] More
The RTIP/XpressBet Scholorship
Application Deadlines:
June 01, Annually
The RTIP/XpressBet scholarship is sponsored by Xpressbet for a student to attend the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona. The scholarship will be awarded annually. Preference will be given to incoming freshmen. There is no annual household income cap requirement for this scholarship.
To be eligible, a student must:
- Be 24 years old or younger as of September 1st of the [...] More
The Washington Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
February 28, Annually
The Washington State Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship is available to Washington state residents OR students attending a Washington school from any background wishing to pursue a career in pre-veterinary medicine (equine practice only), equine science, racetrack management, equine business management or pasture management as it pertains to horse farms and other related fields. Deadline to [...] More
Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
March 22, Annually
To be eligible for an award from the Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund, applicant must be a Russia High School (Shelby Co., Ohio) graduating senior who is pursuing an associate's or a bachelor's degree as a full-time student at an acredited educational institution, have a high school GPA not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and must have participated in no less than five (5) athletic seasons [...] More