A scholarship in honor of Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi has been established by the Arabian Horse Foundation (AHF), based in Denver, Colo. Swayze and Niemi have had close ties to the Arabian horse breed and owned Arabian horses for many years. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), also based in Denver.

Announcement of the scholarship was made at the association's annual convention in Reno, Nev., November 19-21. The scholarship will be awarded annually in the spring to a youth who is involved with Arabian horses and aspires to a career in the performing arts. Scholarship applications are available online. The scholarship was launched with an initial pledge by Iron Horse Farms and Trisha Phelan of Canton, Ga.

"The establishment of the Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Scholarship was a natural fit for the foundation and the association," said AHF President Larry Kinneer, who made the announcement before approximately 400 delegates and alternates. "Establishment of the scholarship creates a lasting testimony to their careers in dancing, theatre, and movies, love of the Arabian breed, and contributions over the years to AHA youth programs."

Both Patrick and Lisa competed for many years in Arabian horse shows, often drawing spectators and fans to watch them perform