Photo courtesy of Erin Gilmore Photography.
One of the biggest barriers to access in eventing is the sheer cost of competing a horse. Even at the national levels, the costs associated with boarding, training, shoeing, and competing a horse are high. The FEI levels are even more expensive because of the costs that competitions accrue from hiring FEI stewards and judges. FEI events are almost always held across multiple days, so riders have to pay for stabling their horses as well.
Increasing access to our sport is something Eventing Nation is passionate about. We were excited to see that the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF) is awarding four scholarships that are equivalent to $1,000 to riders competing at the 1*, 2*, 3* and 4* levels at the July Maryland International in Adamstown, MD. The scholarships will assist by covering entry fees, stabling, as well as rider and groom/grounds person accommodations.
The applicant criteria is as follows:
• Applicant must be a current member in good standing with USEF and USEA
• Horses and riders must be sound and capable to compete at the level of scholarship they are applying for.
• Open to riders and horses who have never competed at 5* competition
• Rider must never have competed outside of North America.
• Horse and rider combination may not have competed above the level for which they are applying.
• Funds are to be used for the 2023 Maryland International.
• Members of the MIEF Board of Directors and members of their families are not eligible. Family members or current clients of the Scholarship Award Committee are not eligible.
• The Board and Selection Committee reserve the right to award scholarship to an alternate rider in the event of injury or illness to horse and/or rider.
Applications are due by May 1, with decisions made by June 1. There is a preference given to U.S.-bred horses, which is part of MIEF’s mission statement.
To find out more about the applicant criteria and apply for a scholarship, click here. To learn more about what the goal of MIEF is, click here. View the omnibus listing for the Maryland International H.T. here.
Go Eventing.
