Minnesota Horse Council

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Distribution after

August 1, 2011

          The Minnesota Horse Council announces several funding programs available this year.  These are made possible by the success of the Minnesota Horse Expo.

 

Scholarships:the twenty-fifth annual MHC/Tony Gasser Memorial Scholarships are offered for both high school seniors & undergrads, and for grad students (considered separately), to be used toward education that would further the applicant's career in and contributions to the horse industry in Minnesota.  Applications are due by November 1^st.  At least ten $2000 scholarships will be presented at the MHC annual meeting next January.  For more info, contact Trina Joyce at 612-729-7798 or TrinaJoyce@earthlink.net for questions.

 

Grants: of a maximum of $7,000 are given to Minnesota charitable/non-profit equine-related organizations as 'seed money' to inspire new projects or capital improvements, or for expansions of existing projects or services.  Applications are due by October 1^st.  Grants are presented at the MHC annual meeting next January.  Funds will be paid out as your project progresses.  Contact Tim Bonham at 612-721-1007 or T-Bonham@scc.net for info.

 

Direct Funding:The Minnesota Horse Council offers direct funding assistance (up to $500) to any non-profit horse related organization that develops or organizes any public clinic, program activity, or publication that advances the goals of the Minnesota Horse Council.  Applications accepted at any time during the year, responses generally within 30 days.  Contact:  Mark Ward,  MarkWard@windyridgeanch.com,  651-436-6557.

 

Other Awards Available (different time schedules):

 

HorsePerson Award:Each year, MHC honors someone as the "Minnesota Horse Person of the Year", and places his or her photo in the Horseman's Hall of Fame at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.  The Council is seeking nominations of people for this award.  This person should be an outstanding person in the horse industry -- someone who stands above the rest for long-term contributions to many areas of equine activity.  Nominations are accepted all year, but must be received by November 1^st to be considered this year.  The person selected will be announced at the MHC annual meeting next January. Contact:  Dawn Moore, dmoore834@comcast.net, 952-949-6659 with any questions.

Pioneer Award:This award is given to a deceased person who was a Minnesota horse pioneer – someone who led others to horses.  Nominations are due by March 1^st each year.  Contact:  Dawn Moore, dmoore834@comcast.net, 952-949-6659.

 

Further info about any of these programs, including application info, is available from:

-        the Minnesota Horse Council web page at www.MnHorseCouncil.org/.

-        by writing to Mn Horse Council, P.O. Box 223, Plato, MN 55370-0223.