FAIRFIELD, Conn. – April 16, 2020 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce and congratulate the 2020 Academic Achievement and Scholarship award winners. Academic achievement awards are presented to those who have earned a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or above throughout the academic year. Scholarships are awarded to those members who meet eligibility requirements, excel in horsemanship and in the classroom and demonstrate financial need.
“We love seeing our members excel in the classroom as well as in the show ring,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “It is our aim that members’ academic and IHSA equestrian experience helps prepare them for life beyond college.”
Hannah Waroway, pictured with Midway
University coaches Conner Smith (left) and Heath Gunnison (right), was
the 2020 Jack Fritz Memorial Award winner. Photo courtesy of Hannah
Waroway
The Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Awards are presented to IHSA members who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have been a member of their intercollegiate equestrian team for three years, including their senior year.
Congratulations to the 2020 IHSA Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Award recipients.
The IHSA recognizes its members who excel academically throughout the year with the All-Academic Awards. Eligibility for the First Team All-Academic Award members must have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher and a 3.5 or higher for the Second Team All-Academic Award.
Congratulations to all of the IHSA All-Academic Award winners.
IHSA member taking a scholarship test. Photo by Madison Dempster
The Teresa McDonald Scholarship Challenge is comprised of a written test and a practicum held at the IHSA National Championships. Due to the unique situation this year, the 2020 awards are presented to the members in each zone with the highest written test scores.
Congratulations to the Teresa McDonald Scholarship Challenge written test high score.
The Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation, Inc. (IEF) scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who have competed in intercollegiate equestrian activities and are based on criteria including academic achievement, equestrian sport achievement, community service and financial need.
The mission of the IEF is to foster and promote intercollegiate equestrian activities by providing scholarships and grants. The IEF presents multiple general scholarships each year. Included in these general IEF scholarships are three named awards.
The Jack Fritz Memorial Award in honor of the legendary horseman, scholar and co-founder of the IHSA, Jack Fritz.
The Joan Johnson Memorial Award in honor of IHSA founding member, Stony Brook University Equestrian Team coach, Associate National Steward (1967-2000), Zone 3 chairperson and chair of the Scholarship Foundation since its inception. Joan Johnson, affectionately known as “JJ,” is remembered for her uncommon devotion and leadership of the IHSA.
The Emily Jane Hilscher Memorial Award created in memory of Hilscher, a 19-year-old Virginia Tech freshman. She was studying veterinary science and was among the victims of the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007. Along with competing on the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team Hilscher was an animal lover, horsewoman, passionate cook and creative artist.
The
Margaret "Maggie" Blackmon Memorial Award is awarded in honor of
Blackmon, a 20-year-old junior studying anthropology at St. Lawrence
University. A three-year member of the St. Lawrence riding team,
Blackmon passed away suddenly in 2020. Her love of horses and riding led
her to develop tremendous skills and knowledge transferable to all
aspects of her life. This scholarship recognizes a collegiate rider who
demonstrates the same passion and commitment to the equestrian sport.
The IEF also awards two noted scholarships, the Jon Conyers Memorial Scholarship and Bob Anthony Memorial Scholarship. Recipients must be nominated by their coaches and meet eligibility criteria.
The Jon Conyers Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a freshman or sophomore in his or her first year of competition in the Introductory, Beginner Horsemanship, Pre-Novice, Novice or Rookie Horsemanship divisions be a full-time IHSA undergraduate member in good standing, display a passion for horses, strive for excellence and demonstrate financial need.
Conyers competed in the IHSA, instructed and coached for multiple college programs, served as an IHSA board member in many capacities including regional president, zone chairperson, director of alumni, director-at-large and National Horse Show Manager.
The Bob Anthony Memorial Scholarship is in memoriam of legendary horseman, NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and six-time NHRA World Champion, Bob Anthony.
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be a full-time
undergraduate IHSA member in good standing, compete in Open Reining
throughout the year and demonstrate financial need.
Morgan Knerr from the University of Findlay was awarded the 2020 Bob Anthony Memorial Scholarship.
Photo by EQ Media
ABOUT THE IHSA
The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) welcomes men and women of all riding levels and offers individual and team competition in hunter seat equitation, Western horsemanship and reining at more than 400 member colleges and universities. Membership in IHSA means that college students can participate in horse shows regardless of their experience or financial status. Students compete at eight levels from beginner through advanced with suitable, provided horses, eliminating the expense of horse ownership.
Founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione, it is the oldest and largest intercollegiate equestrian organization with 10,000 members in 47 states and Canada. IHSA college and university team participation is represented through a variety of programs including varsity athletics, academic departments and club sports. IHSA offers valuable hands-on experience and professional development in multiple facets of the equine industry. Many IHSA teams participate in service projects, giving back to their communities. Through the IHSA, students enhance their college experience and develop the tools that help build successful careers.
ABOUT THE IEF
The Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation Inc. (IEF) fosters and promotes intercollegiate equestrian activities and competition through the awarding of scholarships and grants. The scholarships are awarded to those undergraduate students who have competed in intercollegiate equestrian activities and are based upon non-discriminatory criteria including academic achievement, equestrian sport achievement, community service and financial need. The IEF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more here.