Congratulations Maddie and Liz!
When the BCHA Youth Club formed three years ago, one of its primary objectives was to raise money for two new youth equestrian scholarships. The BCHA board is pleased to announce the names of our first two recipients:
Madeline “Maddie” Williams
$750 Collegiate Scholarship Awardee
Maddie spends almost all of her spare time either riding, training, or taking care of horses. Her special interests include natural horsemanship, ranch versatility, and reining. She has shown horses through 4-H at the Boulder County Fair and in St. Vrain shows, but she has also honed her equine evaluation skills as part of St Vrain’s Horse Judging Career Development Event Team. Her last year earning was 4th Place at the 2018 National FFA competition. Maddie also takes pride in her dairy cattle showmanship and judging skills.
She will be attending Aims Community College this fall, and will graduate in two years with an Animal Science Associates Degree, after which she intends to transfer to CSU in Ft. Collins, to study Equine Veterinary Sciences. “I plan to beome a holistic equine veterinarian,” says Maddie, explaining that she wants to help horses using all kinds of healing techniques, including acupuncture, equine dentistry, farriering, chiropractic treatment, herbal remedies, and laser therapy.
Liz French
$250 Teen Scholarship Awardee
Liz first sat on a horse at the tender age of two, this was also the age she first fell off a horse—she reports with a smile.From then on she was hooked. Liz recounts how her first pony, Lucky, taught her about getting back up—after he bucked her off during her first two shows. “I could say I taught him to do everything from barrel racing to jumping,” she explains. “But in truth, he was always the one teaching me.”
An active member in 4-H with her horses, goats, and chickens, Liz has served variously as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian in her two clubs. She is also on the Hippology team, competing in this and in horse bowl, where she has been successful at the county, state, and national levels.
What does she plan to do with the scholarship funds? “One thing I hope to accomplish before going to college is to gentle and train a wild mustang or a rescue horse… I would need funds to upgrade my current facilities or to help pay for boarding elsewhere.” Another possibility—more riding lessons in order to be competitive with more skilled riders.
“Breed and circuit shows involve much more money,” says Liz. So far, equestrian competition at that higher level hasn’t been something she’s explored. But with her new registered Appaloosa ranch/reining horse or maybe the dressage horse she’s been using, showing horses at the bigger and/or breed shows made be the next route she goes down.
The BCHA board congratulates Madeline Williams and Liz French and we wish them both the best in pursuit of their equestrian dreams.
Our scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate the highest standards of character in community support, educational achievements, and equestrian dedication. To find out more about BCHA Equestrian Scholarships and to apply for 2019 please click here.
