2026 NIHJA Scholarship Program
NIHJA is proud to offer a Scholarship Program to promote continuing education in either the equestrian community or in the classroom. NIHJA will award the following scholarships:
The Rising Equestrian Scholarship – (2) scholarships will be awarded to junior riders (riders who are under the age of 18 as of December 1, 2025) in the amount of $1,000. Application and essay must be written by the individual applying for the scholarship. Applicants must be current members of NIHJA (in the 2026 season).
When applying, applicants must write a short essay of 500 words or less answering the following questions:
- Why do you deserve to be awarded the scholarship?
- What would winning this scholarship mean to you and how will it help you in continuing your education in the equestrian field?
The Dedicated Amateur Scholarship – (2) scholarships to adult riders (riders who are 18 years of age or older as of December 1, 2025) in the amount of $500. Application and essay must be written by the individual applying for the scholarship. Applicants must be current members of NIHJA (in the 2026 season).
When applying, applicants must write a short essay of 500 words or less answering the following questions:
- Why do you deserve to be awarded the scholarship?
- What would winning this scholarship mean to you and how will it help you in continuing your education in the equestrian field?
The Heart and Horsemanship Scholarship – (1) scholarship to a rider (no age specification) in the amount of $500, who has been nominated by another individual. Application and essay must be written by someone nominating an individual for the scholarship. Applicants and nominees must be current members of NIHJA (in the 2026 season).
In order to apply, applicants must write a short essay of 500 words or less answering the following questions:
- Why does the nominee deserve to be awarded the scholarship?
- What horsemanship or sportsmanship characteristics do this individual display? Provide an example(s) of how the nominee displays these characteristics.
Completed essays should be sent to NIHJA at scholarship@nihja.net by 11:59pm on October 1.
Recipients will be announced at the 2026 NIHJA Awards Banquet, the NIHJA website and on the NIHJA Facebook page.
Funds will be sent directly to the show manager, institution, or business where the scholarship will be used. An invoice will be required in order for payment to be properly submitted.
Application/Essay Review Process
- A panel of judges will be comprised of 3 NIHJA Board Members who will rate essays based on a scoring rubric.
- Essays will be delivered to the panel anonymously
- The essays will be scored and the top scoring essays will be awarded scholarships