Jochen Schleese of Schleese Saddlery offered a lecture on saddle fitting at PSS University, an educational event hosted by the California Dressage Society’s Sacramento Valley Chapter. Photo by Tamara with the Camera.
Applications due Monday, May 4
March 18, 2015 — Lexington, KY — USA Equestrian Trust is pleased to announce it is now accepting proposals from IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations for its 2015 grants program. In 2014, the Trust awarded nearly $300,000 to help fund nearly 20 projects.
To submit an application, visit trusthorses.org and complete the online form. Any organization applying must submit copies of its IRS non-profit determination letter and most recent Form 990, as well as a proposed budget for its project. The deadline to submit applications for the foundation’s 2015 grants program is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, May 4.
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:
CALIFORNIA DRESSAGE SOCIETY — SACRAMENTO VALLEY CHAPTER: $5,000 was awarded in 2014 to support PSS University, a two-day equine educational event in Northern California.
“With the support from the Trust, we were able to make this opportunity available to the whole community at no charge,” said event organizer Dr. Ellie Johnson. “It was a fantastic series with lectures from nine knowledgeable professionals on subjects ranging from acupuncture to saddle fitting.”
HARNESS HORSE YOUTH FOUNDATION: $500 was awarded in 2014 to fund field trips during a summer youth camp.
“HHYF programs are always in need of financial assistance, so when we received a grant from USA Equestrian Trust, we were honored and put it to good use in our Leadership Program,” said Executive Director Ellen Taylor. “The grant allowed the older teenagers to participate in educational field trips to both a Standardbred nursery and a veterinary clinic in hopes of opening their eyes to the diversity of professional opportunities available.”
MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $37,164 was awarded in 2014 to help its Equine Safety & Ambulance Program purchase a new truck and replace a mannequin horse used for training. Named Lucky II, the mannequin is used to educate first responders and horse owners about emergency equine rescue and the safe transport of large animals.
“In 2015, the MSPCA’s equine ambulance team will travel more miles and conduct more trainings than ever before,” said Roger Lauze, manager of the Equine Safety & Ambulance Program. “By funding Lucky II and the purchase of a new truck, USA Equestrian Trust has made possible the training that will help keep countless horses safe.”
Funding available for USA Equestrian Trust grants includes $41,500 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.
If you have any questions about applying, please e-mail grants@trusthorses.org.
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.
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June 13 — Lexington, KY — In its largest round of grant funding to date, USA Equestrian Trust has awarded nearly $240,000 to 11 equine non-profits that applied by the first of the foundation’s two 2012 application deadlines. The $239,780 in grants is an increase of 21 percent compared to 2011. That mirrored the continued dramatic jump in interest in the Trust’s grants program, which saw applications rise 38 percent.
April 20, 2012 — Lexington, KY — There’s still time to submit proposals for the first round of USA Equestrian Trust grants in 2012. IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations are invited to apply by going to the web site at 
