Searching for students with a passion for both horses and publishing is what American Horse Publications (AHP) has been doing since 1993. The AHP Student Award competition has discovered a long list of talented young people who have become an asset to the equine publishing industry.

Three students have risen to the top to become 2017 AHP Student Award finalists. They have earned an opportunity to meet leading equine industry professionals and discuss career possibilities during the AHP Equine Media Conference. Each Travel Award Winner will receive a $750 travel award to attend Saddle Up for Scottsdale, in Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 15-17 for three days of educational sessions and related activities.

The 2017 Student Travel Award winners are:

Annise Montplaisir (North Dakota State University)

A Christmas pony led Montplaisir to a 4-H project and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association equestrian team competition. From a volunteer racetrack ambassador at the North Dakota Horse Park, she progressed to a media relations intern establishing her career path in publishing. Her first freelance article published in Young Rider magazine piloted her to a position as American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA’s) online communications and publications intern in 2015