2026 USHJA Grants and Scholarships Application Deadlines Announced

Lexington, Ky.—Jan. 21, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the application deadlines for this year's grants and scholarships. From educational scholarships to financial assistance for competition and training opportunities, these programs provide valuable resources to help riders, trainers, and equine professionals achieve their goals.

Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals

The Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals offers three young pony riders the opportunity to attend and compete at USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall+Sterling, held August 4-9 in Lexington, Kentucky. Experiential in nature, each grant recipient is provided access to a qualified pony, if needed, and will train throughout the week with experienced professionals. Recipients will also be exposed to additional educational experiences, including clinics, during their time at the Kentucky Horse Park. The grant is made possible by the generosity of Becky and David Gochman and their family. 

"Receiving the Gochman Grant means the world to me," 2025 recipient Addison Cheetham expressed. "Without this grant, the experience of attending Pony Finals would likely have remained a dream. When I first heard the news, I was completely shocked and felt like I couldn't believe it was real. It's truly an honor to be a recipient alongside two other amazing young riders, and I was so grateful for this opportunity."

The grant is open to active USHJA members who have not previously competed at Pony Finals and have jumping experience at a minimum fence height of 2'3". In addition to financial need, applicants should exemplify the qualities most important in the sport: horsemanship, tenacity, and good sportsmanship. Interested applicants can apply here, and applications close on March 15.

For more information about the Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, visit ushja.org/gochman.

 

$5,000 Antevy Family/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Grant

New in 2026, the Antevy Family/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Grant is designed to support one rider competing in the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships. Made possible through the generosity of the Antevy family, this $5,000 grant will reimburse eligible athletes for expenses related to attending the Championships.

"For me, Show Jumping has always been a quiet, individual pursuit. [Last] summer’s Zone Team Jumper Championships in Traverse City, Michigan, opened my eyes to the uplifting experience of riding as part of a team," said Orly Antevy. "I felt compelled to pay it forward through the creation of this grant. My hope is that it will open doors for other qualified athletes—giving them the chance to grow, compete, and be part of something larger than themselves."

The grant is open to all USHJA members competing in a USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championship who are U.S. citizens, current Active Competing members in good standing with the USHJA, demonstrate financial need, and have been accepted into and will attend a Zone Jumper Team Championship in the same year the grant is awarded. Applications close on May 15, and interested applicants can apply here.

Learn more about the Antevy Family/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Grant at ushja.org/antevygrant.

USHJA Scholarship for Further Education

The USHJA Scholarship for Further Education is designed to encourage further education among equestrians. The USHJA awards one or more members funds to be used for community college, college, graduate school, trade school, or professional school, totaling up to $10,000 each year.

Interested applicants should have a two-year consecutive USHJA Membership at the Education/Non-Competing level or higher; be accepted to or currently enrolled at a college, university, graduate school, or trade school for Fall 2026; and have a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. For those not recently in school, equivalent employment history will be considered. Applications are open here and close May 15.

To learn more about the USHJA Scholarship for Further Education, visit ushja.org/scholarship-further-education.

J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant

The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant provides $1,000 to one Junior rider who has qualified for a select national Equitation championship at a fence height of 3’ or higher. Applications open on April 1 and must be received by August 1 to be considered.

The grant is open to USHJA Active/Competing Junior members in good standing who have qualified for one of the following equitation championships with a fence height of 3' or higher on a horse. Eligible national finals include the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, ASPCA Maclay Finals, Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search - East or West, Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals, National PHA Medal, Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children's Medal Finals, Hamel Foundation National Horse Show 3'3" Equitation Championship, Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East or West, or the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal.

"I’m extremely thankful to the USHJA for this opportunity," 2025 recipient Casey Arriaga expressed. " I've always enjoyed doing the Equitation, as I think it teaches many valuable skills in and out of the saddle. I believe that accessibility in our sport is key and should be a main focus. This is definitely a step in the right direction, and I’m very grateful."

The J.T. Tallon Memorial Equitation Grant debuted in 2018 and was developed by friends and family of the late J.T. Tallon, a Lexington, Virginia, horseman and USHJA member who dedicated his career to equestrian sport for over 40 years. Its purpose is to honor Tallon's commitment to encouraging excellence in Equitation by inspiring Junior riders to pursue their goals. Through this grant, Juniors with limited financial means who have qualified for one of the select national Equitation finals are provided the support they need to attend.

Previous winners of the grant have gone on to compete in the Marshall+Sterling /USHJA 3'3'' Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East and West, Hamel Foundation National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship, ASPCA Maclay Finals, Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals, and more.

For more information and to apply, visit ushja.org/tallon.

Alvin Topping Governance Grant

The Alvin Topping Governance Grant will award $500 to one USHJA member 25 years old or younger to assist them with attending the USHJA Annual Meeting or US Equestrian Annual Meeting. An anonymous donor established the $500 grant to honor Topping’s work in equestrian sport governance, including his commitment to the establishment and success of USHJA.

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be an active USHJA member in good standing, 25 years of age or under, and demonstrate financial need. Applications for the Alvin Topping Governance Grant open on August 1 and close on October 15.

"Getting the Alvin Topping Governance Grant means so much to me," 2024 recipient Kameron Berry remarked. "It’s an amazing honor and reminds me that even young people can make a difference in this sport. This opportunity pushes me to work harder, dream bigger, and do my part to make the equestrian world even better. I’m really thankful for this chance and so excited about what’s ahead."

For more information about the Alvin Topping Governance Grant, visit ushja.org/alvintoppinggrant. 

Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant

The Naomi Blumenthal Training Grant was created in partnership with the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and The Professional Horsemen's Association of America. In honor of Blumenthal's passion for the sport and sharing of knowledge, the grant awards $2,000 to at least one USHJA, IHSA, IEA, or PHA member per year. 

The grant is intended to be used for educational opportunities designed to advance professional equestrian-related business and horsemanship knowledge, including becoming a Hunter/Jumper Licensed Official as a judge, course designer, or steward; completing the USHJA Instructor Credential; or other educational opportunities. The Naomi Blumenthal Training Grant applications open on August 1 and close on October 15.

"I was so excited to receive the Naomi Blumenthal Training Grant," said Angela MacFawn, the 2025 recipient. "I have recently started my journey to become a licensed official, and this grant will help me with the costs associated with traveling to shows to begin my apprentice judging."

For more information about the Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant, visit ushja.org/blumenthalgrant.

MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Grant

The USHJA Foundation also contributes funds to supplement select USHJA programs as well as grants and scholarships. Among the programs supported is the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, which offers young riders a pathway to develop their skills under top industry professionals. Applications open on February 1 and close on May 15.

USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Grant

In 2025, East-West Equine Sports Medicine was welcomed as a supporting sponsor of the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, including four $250 grants to support Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals participants by helping offset travel and related expenses for those who qualify to compete. Applications open on September 1 and close on October 15.

USHJA Instructor Credential Grant

Additionally, the Foundation contributes to the Instructor Credential Grant, which aids equestrian professionals in becoming a USHJA Credentialed Instructor. This program combines online education, in-person workshops, and live testing to ensure instructors are equipped with the knowledge and skills to guide the next generation of riders. Applications open on April 1 and close on October 15.

For each of these grants, a total of $6,000 will be awarded, with individual grants not exceeding $500.

Learn more about all of the grants and scholarships USHJA offers at ushja.org/grants.

Photos: Julie Mercer/USHJA, TCHS/Megan Giese Media, Shawn McMillen Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA, MaryJo Peters/USHJA, and Rachel Milewski/USHJA