Two APHA Youth Receive Farnam Breeders’ Trust Scholarships

Photos courtesy Keoma Dunn and Gracie Thompson

Showing Breeders’ Trust-enrolled Paint Horses really paid off for two Youth exhibitors. AjPHA members Keoma Dunn and Gracie Thompson each received a $1,000 Farnam Breeders’ Trust Youth scholarship from APHA and Farnam Horse Products; additionally, an APHA regional club of their choosing each receives $500, courtesy of Farnam.

All AjPHA members automatically receive an “entry” into the Farnam Breeders’ Trust Youth Scholarship program every time they show a Breeders’ Trust-nominated Paint Horse in APHA Youth or Novice Youth classes during the yearlong eligibility period. Entries accumulate per judge, per class, and were collected between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.

Entries were divided into two groups based on classes shown: Youth and Novice Youth. One recipient from each group was chosen at random by computer to win a $1,000 Farnam scholarship; each winner then selected an APHA regional club to receive $500 from Farnam to help fund an outreach program to other local youth equine organizations.

Keoma Dunn, a high-school senior from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, won the Novice Youth scholarship with Cutie In Booties, a 2010 bay solid mare by Lucky Diamond Chip and out of Zip My Booties. “Gina” was bred by Sheryl Hilton and is owned by Dawn-Marie Thevenaz.  The young horsewoman chose to present the $500 grant from Farnam to the Saskatchewan Paint Horse Club.

Keoma is set to graduate in June, and she will be attending the University of Saskatchewan for arts & sciences. From there, she plans to move into veterinary sciences and work towards her ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian.

“Showing Gina has been beneficial to me in so many regards, but I never expected our teamwork to benefit my education in such a strong way,” Keoma said. “I would like to thank Dawn-Marie Thevenaz at Painted Performance Horses for all the work she’s put into Gina and me as a team, and for allowing me to ride and show Gina. This scholarship will really benefit me in my first year of university this coming fall, as I take my first steps to becoming a veterinarian.”

Gracie Thompson of Lithia, Florida, received the Youth-division scholarship. Gracie is a sophomore high school student and plans to pursue a degree in sociology following graduation. Gracie earned her scholarship aboard Exotic Chip, a 2009 bay overo gelding by Chippen and out of Exotic Breeze (QH); the gelding was bred by Victor Costa of Williston, Florida.

“Being part of APHA has given me so many opportunities to meet, compete and make lifelong friends with so many riders. I am beyond excited to have won the $1,000 scholarship,” Gracie said. “After high school graduation, I plan on attending a Florida four-year college pursuing a degree in sociology and working with the homeless, families and children in hopes of making a difference. I would like to thank my parents and family for always supporting my horse dreams, Caitlin Daniels and Vesper Show Horses for being the best trainer ever, and to Exotic Chip for always giving me 100 percent.”

Gracie chose to award the additional $500 to the Florida Paint Horse Club to further their youth initiatives.

“We are honored to be able to help these APHA members towards their higher education goals through their passion: horses,” Farnam General Manager Mike Chenoweth said. “Each year that we award our scholarships, it’s amazing to see their drive and motivation in competition and we are pleased to help them in their futures.”

Scholarships for the 2017–2018 show season are gathered from all eligible entries generated between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018. AjPHA members showing participating Breeders’ Trust-nominated horses automatically earn one entry per class, per judge, in Youth or Novice Youth classes at every APHA-approved show where they exhibit.

Learn more about APHA’s Breeders’ Trust incentive program at apha.com/programs/breederstrust.