I love horse riding and am curious about equestrian scholarships for college. Are there any colleges with strong equestrian programs and scholarships I could look into? Any advice for someone with a passion for horses?
Many colleges recognize and reward students with a passion for equestrian sports! Scholarship eligibility will vary, so it's important to check with each institution or organization for specific criteria. Usually, however, they look for a combination of academics and equestrian skills.
Take a look at Auburn University and Texas A&M, for example. They both have traditionally strong equestrian teams and offer scholarships to qualified recruits.
Another option is Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which has won national championships in equestrian. They offer a variety of scholarships, some of which can be awarded for equestrian talent.
There are also intercollegiate programs and organizations that award scholarships for equestrian activities, like the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA), the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA), and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
As for advice, in addition to excelling in riding, consider joining or starting an equestrian club at your high school if there isn't one, or getting involved in local or national equestrian associations. This will not only demonstrate your commitment to the sport but also give you opportunities to demonstrate leadership and community service, which can be beneficial for both your scholarship application and general college application. Make sure to get footage of yourself riding at competitions too, as many college coaches and scholarship committees will want to see videos of you in action. Good luck, and keep riding!
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