WINTER 2023/2024 ESS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT UPDATE
On January 3, Strides for Equality Equestrians learned that Winter 2023–2024 Ever So Sweet scholarship recipient Toria Walker made the decision to leave the Ocala, Florida-based program early. Toria arrived at Overlook Farm South on December 27, followed by her horse, Handsome Boy, on December 28, to begin her two-month long scholarship period.
The purpose of the Ever So Sweet scholarship is to support the professional development of equestrians who are committed to increasing diversity within equestrian sport. It is our goal that every applicant for and recipient of the ESS scholarship has a positive and memorable experience, and we are saddened that this was not the case for Toria.
We encourage productive and healthy dialogue from this circumstance, and we do not wish to invalidate the experience Toria had. While it is our mission and goal to provide a positive experience for all recipients, we take any negative experiences seriously and approach them as an opportunity to learn.
Our leadership team is in the process of holding independent discussions with all who have been directly involved in the Winter 2023–2024 scholarship, along with other stakeholders. The feedback we receive, including that from Toria, will help us determine how to plan and implement changes that will strengthen the program in advance of the next scholarship session in Summer 2024. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Strides for Equality Equestrians has awarded six Ever So Sweet scholarships since founding the program in 2021 with support from Edy Rameika, Sara Kozumplik and her team, and the USEA Foundation. Scholars receive lessons; full care board for one horse; shipping costs to and from Ocala, FL or Berryville, VA; show-related expenses such as entry fees; and housing. Information about previous scholars’ experiences can be found on our website.
