Through an innovative partnership between the American Paint Horse Foundation and PATH Intl.—the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International—potential therapeutic riding instructors receive scholarship assistance to help fund their education. Three new recipients were recently selected from a competitive field; Susan K. Owens of Lafayette, Indiana; Elizabeth Girard of Avondale, Arizona; and Emily Kalin of Battlefield, Michigan, have been named the 2016 winners of APHF’s unique scholarships. Each will receive an $800 scholarship toward completing PATH Intl. certification.
Involved with the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center since 2000, 29-year-old Emily Kalin has been showing Paint Horses since age 14. She was certified as a registered level instructor in 2015 and will be using her scholarship to attain her Advanced Level Certification.
“One of my goals is to create a show team made up of our students and Paint Horses here at Cheff,” Emily said. “Our hope is to make it to the AjPHA World Show to participate in the Equestrians with Disabilities classes.
Susan K. Owens has been a clinical assistant professor in apparel design and technology for eight years at Purdue University. She has been a volunteer for five years and an instructor in training for two years at Therapeion Therapeutic Riding Center in Brookston, Indiana.
“Upon retirement from Purdue University in May 2018, I plan to make instructing in therapeutic riding my vocation and spend more time with my four children and three granddaughters,” Susan said.
Elizabeth Girard is the founder of Girard Training Stables, a 501(c)(3) that offers riding lessons to students of all ages and abilities, regardless of ability to pay. She has coached a Special Olympics equestrian team since 2008 and became a PATH-certified instructor in 2015.
“I am dedicated to helping my riders discover their own personal strengths and talents through the dedicated practice of horsemanship,” Susan said.
The average cost of registration for a PATH Intl. certification workshop and test, which takes place over three days, is $800. APHF seeks to assist individuals interested in certification through the application and acceptance of one-time $800 scholarships.
All applicants must be APHA members and PATH Intl. members in good standing for the previous two years. Additionally, candidates must meet the criteria to become a registered instructor in training and have completed at least 10 hours volunteering at a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
Applications for a PATH Intl. scholarship through the foundation must be received by the APHF by March 1 annually. More information can be found at apha.com/foundation.
###
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.