The traveling display presented by The United States Pony Clubs offers numerous educational stations made of authentic equine components such as bones from a real horse and actual grooming and tack items. Photo courtesy The United States Pony Clubs.

Applications due Monday, May 5

April 15, 2014 — Lexington, KY — There is still time to submit proposals for USA Equestrian Trust’s 2014 grants program. IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations are invited to apply by filling out the online grant application at http://www.trusthorses.org. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, May 5.

In 2013, the Trust awarded nearly $265,000 to help fund more than a dozen projects. The Trust’s financial support has been dedicated largely but not exclusively for initiatives that are productive across several national-level discipline and/or breed boundaries. The Trust welcomes applications for need-based projects and encourages applicants to detail those in their applications. Among the past recipients of Trust funding are:

THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS: $9,855 was awarded in 2012 to help create a traveling display that serves as an interactive, educational experience for children.

“The United States Pony Clubs develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies,” said Shelley Mann, director of marketing and communications. “Through the grant received from USA Equestrian Trust, The United States Pony Clubs is now able to reach out at a grassroots level to bring the magic of horses to youth through interactive fun and a hands-on approach that will hopefully lead participants to a future with horses.”

AMERICAN YOUTH HORSE COUNCIL: $5,000 was awarded in 2013 to support the group’s annual symposium that educates youth on all facets of the equine industry.

“We appreciate the significant support we received from USA Equestrian Trust,” said Executive Director Danette McGuire. “These are the kinds of investments that allow the American Youth Horse Council to help kids connect through horses by providing a cost-effective educational symposium for youth and youth leaders who represent all aspects of the equine industry.”

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK FOUNDATION: $25,000 was awarded in 2013 to assist in the creation of dedicated horse paths at the Kentucky Horse Park to enhance safety for horses and riders.

“The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation was able to meet our fundraising goal for constructing the All the Gold Dedicated Horse Path due in large part to the generous support of USA Equestrian Trust,” said Executive Director Laura Klumb. “We are delighted that the Trust’s commitment to equestrian sport dovetails with the Kentucky Horse Park’s commitment to ensuring the safety of horse and rider. The All the Gold Dedicated Horse Path allows the Kentucky Horse Park to ensure the safest environment possible for the thousands of horses and riders that compete here on an annual basis. We are very grateful.”

All Trust grant applicants must submit a proposed budget for their projects along with copies of their IRS determination letters and most recent IRS Form 990. If you have any questions about applying, please e-mail grants@trusthorses.org.

Funding available for grants includes $46,500 reserved for Hunter and Jumper non-profit programs and activities in California and Nevada. Applicants for this fund should make clear their intention to apply for grants available from this specific reserve.

About USA Equestrian Trust:

USA Equestrian Trust is a New York Not-for-Profit Corporation whose mission is to assist in preserving and/or enhancing the quality of equestrian sport in the United States of America. Its objects and purposes are exclusively charitable, educational and dedicated to the fostering of equestrian sports. The Trust is a private foundation pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

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