Twenty-nine exceptional veterinary students pursuing future carers in equine practice shared scholarship awards of $530,000 through the generosity of The Foundation for the Horse and its scholarship program partners. 

The awards, which included four new scholarship offerings totaling $75,000, were presented Nov. 30 during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 69th Annual Convention in San Diego, California. 

The scholarships reward veterinary students at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Europe for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals in equine practice. Applicants apply during their second and third year of school and must also have the support of AAEP members and their clinical instructors. 

Congratulations to the following 2023 scholarship recipients: 

Ongoing Scholarship Programs  

Four students received $75,000 Coyote Rock Ranch Scholarships: 

• Anne Brien, Kansas State University 
• Megan Elcombe, University of California, Davis 
• Bailey Fritz, Kansas State University  
• Meg Lemons, University of Georgia 

Ten students received $10,000 Zoetis Foundation Scholarships: 

• Amanda Ayers, University of California, Davis 
• Gabriella Balaa, University of Missouri 
• Briana Blackwelder, North Carolina State University 
• Nicole Gonzales, University of California, Davis 
• Fred Holcomb, Texas A&M University 
• Emma Kerr, Cornell University 
• Ryan Lurch, Lincoln Memorial University 
• Angela Mangine, University of Pennsylvania 
• Ashley Nixon, University of Guelph 
• Shelby Rivkin, Michigan State University 

Five students received $5,000 Merck Animal Health Scholarships: 

• Alexandra Bettencourt, Texas A&M University 
• Scarlett Loya, University of Pennsylvania 
• Lauren Obermeyer, The Ohio State University 
• Harrell Phillips III, Kansas State University 
• Cassidy Scatena, Texas A&M University 

Five students received $5,000 Oakwood Foundation Scholarships: 

• Madeleine Edwards, North Carolina State University 
• Haven Erengil, Texas A&M University 
• James Ford III, Lincoln Memorial University 
• Kaitlyn Lomsnes, University of Calgary 
• Sara Zunker, Texas A&M University 

Claire Long from Texas A&M University received the $5,000 Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship. 

New Scholarship Programs 

Hannah Quail from the University of Florida received the $50,000 Ellen DiBella Memorial Scholarship. 

Annie Gerding from The Ohio State University received the $10,000 Richard & Anne Stirlen Foundation Scholarship Honoring Dr. Gus Abuja. 

Meghan Poth from University of California, Davis, received the $10,000 Richard & Anne Stirlen Foundation Scholarship Honoring Dr. Laura Javsicas. 

Tessa Beiter from Cornell University received the $5,000 Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Scholarship.  

For more information about scholarships available through The Foundation for the Horse, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org/news.  

About The Foundation for the Horse 

Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the welfare of the horse through Education, Research, and programs impacting Horses at Risk. Governed and stewarded by world-renowned equine veterinarians and equine stakeholders, The Foundation annually awards over $1 million annually in scholarships and grants to impact equine health and well-being throughout the U.S. and developing countries. To learn more, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org.