• • • • • SPARK* COURAGE. CONFIDENCE. CONNECTION. KINDNESS. • • • • •

SPARK* Scholarship and Ambassador program is for young riders (age 18 and under; any equestrian discipline) who exemplify sportsmanship, horsemanship, a learning mindset, work ethic, and kindness in our equestrian communities. Read the full details on each opportunity below, including a history of how the SPARK* program came to be! If you would like to apply, please select the SPARK* that best describes your situation. {Applications are available for in September of each year.}

✨💜✨ Spark* HERO

For riders who are partnered with a rescued or rehabilitated equine (this includes OTTBs and BLM mustangs, leased, adopted or purchased).

• We are looking for junior equestrians (under 18) who: 

  • Are known as kind, dedicated and passionate “role models” by their peers, family and teachers/trainers

  • Exhibit quality horsemanship and sportsmanship in the equestrian field

  • Represent a financial need in order to pursue a connection with horses

  • Will allow his/her/their representation in photos and words to be shared via social media, web sites and print media as a way to *spark* awareness for Equuvation and its programs. *With parental consent!

• The Spark* HERO scholarship includes:

  • Sponsorship of entry fees at 2-3 events/shows or educational clinics/camps in the calendar or competition year specified by the award window

    • A maximum scholarship amount will be provided

  • An Equuvation swag bag including rider gear, saddle pads (specific to discipline), show cooler (specific to horse’s size), grooming bag, custom banner to hang at shows, and other goodies!

  • Promotion through Equuvation's social media, events and PR

  • Free or discounted opportunities to participate in special Spark* events, educational clinics, and benefit horse shows with Equuvation

  • Discount codes and gifts from Equuvation partners

Spark* HERO recipients will be asked to provide Equuvation with images from their sponsored shows/clinics/events to be shared on social media.

**Riders do not need to own their horses - in addition to outright ownership or adoption, horses may be leased or borrowed, but riders must have been in a partnership with their specific horse for at least one year, or plan to be in a partnership with a new horse for at least one year ahead.

✨💙✨ Spark* AMBASSADOR

For any/all competitive riders, partnered with an equine partner of any breed or history (does not need to be rescue/rehab).

• We are looking for junior equestrians (under 18) who: 

  • Are known as kind, dedicated and passionate “role models” by their peers, family and teachers/trainers

  • Exhibit quality horsemanship and sportsmanship in the equestrian field

  • Will allow his/her/their representation in photos and words to be shared via social media, web sites and print media as a way to *spark* awareness for Equuvation and its programs. *With parental consent!

• The Spark* AMBASSADOR partnership includes:

  • An Equuvation swag bag including rider gear, saddle pads (specific to discipline), show cooler (specific to horse’s size), grooming bag, custom banner to hang at shows, and other goodies!

  • Promotion through Equuvation's social media, events and PR

  • Free or discounted opportunities to participate in special Spark* events, educational clinics, and benefit horse shows with Equuvation

  • Discount codes and gifts from Equuvation partners

Spark* AMBASSADORS will be asked to provide Equuvation with at least 3 photos per month of their connection with their horse(s), featuring Equuvation branded gear! This could be during general horse care (grooming, etc), lessons and clinics, as well as shows/competitions. These photos will be used in Equuvation’s social media to help spread awareness for the horse-human connection, as well as to get Equuvation’s brand “out in the wild”! Ambassadors may share images on their own social media if they have it (and please tag Equuvation!)

**Riders do not need to own their horses - in addition to outright ownership or adoption, horses may be leased or borrowed, but riders must have been in a partnership with their specific horse for at least one year, or plan to be in a partnership with a new horse for at least one year ahead.

Spark* Scholarship + Ambassador Participants

Recipients of SPARK* Scholarships + Ambassador roles are chosen by an independent committee who is passionate about giving a “leg up” to today’s youth.

Sparking* Opportunity for Junior Riders – A History of the Scholarship and Ambassador Program

In late 2012, a local NC nonprofit organization who specialized in the rescue, rehabilitation and retraining of OTTBs, wanted to increase their impact, and try a creative approach on pursuing second careers for their horses. As a result, the Love.Lease.Ride.Show [L.L.R.S.] program was launched.

Through this program, the organization offered a sponsored lease of an OTTB to a junior rider (age 21 and under) who exemplifies kindness, a desire to learn, hard work and stewardship in our local equestrian community. Via an application process and mounted auditions, two rescued OTTB mares were placed with junior riders in that first year.

Over the course of the next three years, a total of six rescued or rehabilitated equines were placed with young riders to fuel the equine's second career, and the rider's desire to connect with a horse. And in 2016, L.L.R.S. introduced a new level of the program, offering scholarships to young riders who were already partnered with an OTTB or rehabilitated rescue mount of their own.

Through these varied levels of sponsorship, L.L.R.S. riders were supported in any discipline they choose, for a total of TEN junior equestrians since Spring of 2013.

Having the opportunity to meet, and be motivated by, these young riders was one of the most rewarding aspects of the L.L.R.S. program. Many stories emerged along the way, including: the placement of a shy, chestnut OTTB mare with a talented and compassionate Wake Forest student; a young lady from Hendersonville who was awarded a sweet OTTB gelding, and later convinced her mom to adopt a rehabilitated performance horse from the same organization; an aspiring eventer taking her sensitive OTTB mare through the levels with grace. And, a dedicated young lady from Marion who took a gangly and spicy OTTB gelding from rehab to ribbons in the jumper ring, setting an example of true sportsmanship and horsemanship every time she sets foot in the arena. This same pair finished their 2016 competition season as Tryon International Equestrian Fall 1.10M Children's Jumper Circuit Champions.

Sadly, at the end of 2016, the founding nonprofit organization was forced to close their doors due to the instability of the equine rescue nonprofit landscape, and their desire to remain responsible to their donors and animals. In the wake of the dissolution, another local North Carolina 501c3 nonprofit organization – Equuvation Incorporated – stepped up and launched the Spark* Scholarships program to continue L.L.R.S.'s passion and legacy of fueling the horse-human connection in the minds and hearts of our young equestrian generation.

Equuvation had some big shoes to fill. Staying true to the history of the L.L.R.S. program, Spark* Scholarships awards junior riders, partnered with an OTTB or rescued horse, financial support to pursue their equestrian endeavors.

In this first year of the program's transition to Spark*, thirty two applications were received as of the closing date of January 8th, and two dozen of them moved on to the judging phase. The majority of the candidates are based in North Carolina, but the reach was felt as far as California and Canada.

As we got to know the candidates better, we learned the stories behind them, including: a local NC teen who never gives up despite the health challengers of her OTTB gelding; a 14yr old from Tennessee who looks out for the safety of others in every situation, and has the patience to bring her OTTB through tough times; a young lady who took the initiative to create and install a memorial for a special pony owned by her trainer; and two riders who were accepted as Junior Trainers in the Retired Racehorse Project. Countless other inspiring stories continue to emerge as the applications are reviewed, reminding us that the support of our young equestrians is vital to the reputation and continuation of this rewarding sport.

Recipients of Spark* Scholarships are chosen by an independent Selection Committee of judges who are passionate about giving a “leg up” to today’s youth. As they review each application, which includes a series of short answer essay questions, photographs, video and at least 3 reference letters, judges are looking for candidates who:

• Stand out as kind, dedicated and passionate “role models” by their peers, family and trainers

• Exhibit quality horsemanship and sportsmanship in the equestrian field and beyond

• May represent a financial need in order to pursue his/her goals

• Adopted, own or lease an OTTB or rescued/rehabilitated equine partner

After completing the challenge of reviewing and selecting the final recipient for the Spark* Scholarships program, the public announcement is made by April 1 of each calendar year.

For more information on Spark* Scholarships, visit:
www.equuvation.org/spark
http://www.facebook.com/sparkscholarships

Equuvation Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations made to Equuvation may be earmarked for the Spark* Scholarships.
Please contact equuvationinc@gmail.com with questions.
 

Follow along on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkscholarships

SPARK* COURAGE. CONFIDENCE. CONNECTION. KINDNESS.  |  © 2016-2024 SPARK* Scholarships