Ever So Sweet Scholarship
The Ever So Sweet Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for diverse equestrians to train with top riders! Photo by Kimberly Loushin.
AN Opportunity for diverse equestrians to train with top riders
Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) and the United States Eventing Association Foundation (USEA) are proud to offer the Ever So Sweet Scholarship. The scholarship, which is the first of its kind, provides a fully-funded opportunity for riders from diverse backgrounds to train with an upper-level professional rider.
We are currently accepting applications for the summer 2022 round of the ESS scholarship which will run from June to August at Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook Farm in Berryville, Virginia. The application deadline is April 15, 2022.
Description & History
Edy Rameika and Sara Kozumplik will provide bi-annual sponsored internships for riders to train with Sara. Scholarship recipients will receive funding to immerse themselves in a high-performance training program with Sara at Overlook Farm Equestrian Center in Berryville, VA for three months. During the winter, the scholarship will provide two months of training with Sara in Florida. Sara will determine the exact dates of each scholarship period in coordination with the awardee. The scholarship will cover expenses for full board and training costs for the horse, several lessons per week, housing for the rider, a stipend to cover living expenses, competition fees, and coaching at competitions. Participants will learn to manage, care for, and compete horses in an immersive program and will have the opportunity to work as part of the team in all aspects of running a large, competitive barn.
Riders will also make professional connections that would otherwise be unattainable and play an active role in fostering a more inclusive environment within the sport. "I've had to overcome many challenges in my life as an upper-level event rider, but I never had the challenge of feeling like the sport wasn't easily available to me. This scholarship allows access for those that currently don't have a clear pathway to fight for their dreams," Sara said when explaining why they decided to offer the opportunity. The Ever So Sweet scholarship is an important first step toward increasing diversity and inclusion in equestrian sports.
Edy shares the passion for providing opportunities for deserving riders, “Our family loves horses and the sport of eventing. My daughters, Roxanne and Nadine, began riding when they were quite young. They rode and competed through high school, and Roxanne continued into her college career. We are very fortunate. But there are students in underserved communities who have the passion and talent for the sport but perhaps not the means. Roxanne passed away in 2017 but her passion lives on through her family. Nadine, Sara, and I want to honor Roxanne and Nadine's Native American heritage and their love of eventing through this scholarship in the hopes of helping to keep others' dreams alive. Ever So Sweet is a song that was beloved to Roxanne and Nadine, especially during those memorable years of riding.”
Eligibility Requirements
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide education, experience, and networking opportunities for diverse young people interested in careers in competitive horse sports, particularly in the disciplines of eventing or show jumping. Please review the full description of this opportunity above and the detailed eligibility criteria within the scholarship application to determine if this opportunity is right for you or someone you know. Strides for Equality Equestrians welcomes inquiries for more information about the scholarship and/or application process.
The scholarship is offered twice annually for winter and summer sessions. Applicants who are not selected are eligible to reapply to future rounds.
Prior ESS Scholarship Recipients
Share with a friend
“Hey! I saw this awesome opportunity from SEE and USEA to promote diversity and inclusion in eventing. It’s a scholarship for a fully-funded working student position with some upper-level trainers to learn about training, horse care, and competing. I think you’d be a great candidate. You should check it out: www.stridesforequality.org/eversosweet.”
