Blenheim EquiSports is pleased to once again offer a unique #pathwaytosuccess opportunity with our Emerging Professional Grants. Since the program began in 2017, Blenheim has awarded close to $50,000 in total grants. Aside from previous first-place or runner-up winners, any eligible 2020 applicant is welcome to reapply in 2021.
TWO GRANTS TO BE AWARDED:
The Grant winner will receive $5,000 of Blenheim EquiSports horse show credit; the runner-up will receive $3,000 of Blenheim EquiSports horse show credit. In addition, The Plaid Horse Magazine will provide advertising space to the winner and runner up to be used at their discretion.
- Application deadline is Monday, March 8, 2021
- Show credit must be used by end of 2021 Blenheim show season
- A maximum of $1,500 can be used at a single event
- Each applicant must be declared with the USEF as a professional in 2011 or later
- Applicants can only submit once per year
- Can be a rider and/or a trainer
- Application deadline is Monday, March 8th at midnight
- Winners will be announced on March 15, 2021*
*Late fees for entry deadlines already passed will be waived for grant winners
The Grant is open to any professional who was not declared a professional before 2010 and meets the following criteria:
- Rider has never placed in the top 10 of the WCHR Professional National Standings
- Rider has never been a WCHR Professional Regional Champion
- Rider has never won the Developing Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show
- Rider has never won the Developing Professional National Title
- Rider has never placed 1st-12th in the Professional Challenge during the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show
- Rider has never been Champion or Reserve Champion in a Professional Hunter section at 3’6″ or higher at the following competitions: Devon, Capital Challenge, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show and/or The National Horse Show
- Rider has never competed and placed in an FEI Grand Prix Competition (excluding Young Riders)
- Rider has never won an FEI-recognized Grand Prix (excluding Young Riders)
- Rider cannot have represented their country in a Nations Cup or other International Competition
- Rider has not won more than 5 Grand Prix classes at 1.40m or higher
- Rider cannot have placed in more than 10 Grand Prix classes at 1.40m or higher
TO APPLY:
– Applications to be emailed to: Marketing@ThePlaceToJump.com– Application email to include the following in an attached document:
- Applicant’s name
- Contact information – email, cell
- Name of business – links to website and/or social media
- Year turned professional – must be 2011 or after to apply (10 years or less)
- Governing body Member Number (eg, USEF, FEM, Equestrian Canada, etc.)
- Describe your background and your goals
- Describe your favorite experience as a rider/trainer – it doesn’t have to be one where you rode, it could be about a student’s or horse’s win or place, or an experience at home
- Please also indicate your reasons for applying – why should you be chosen for an Emerging Pro grant?
Meanwhile, head over to TheWestEquestrian on Facebook for a video in which Robert Ridland offers a season preview for the whole season. It starts March 24 with the Blenheim Spring Classic I and concludes in November with the National Horse Show in Las Vegas! Learn about the new $270,000 Interactive “Ticket To Ride” High Performance Jumper Series, why “the grass fields have never been better,” and upgrades to the sand arena footing and other amenities new this year.
Host David Portener also gets an off-season look at Blenheim EquiSports’ management of water quality issues. The organizers have been on top of this issue for a long time knowing that it’s critical for all equestrian venues now and far into the future. Equestrian sports are basically an environmentally friendly activity, Robert points out. Stewardship of the land is part of keeping it that way.