Equine Event Scholarships

Annually the American Royal awards several Equine Scholarships. To learn more, contact  [email protected].

Thank you to BOTAR for sponsoring various scholarship and awards. BOTAR is a women’s membership auxiliary of the American Royal. The organization was formed in 1949. The primary fundraiser and membership induction event is the annual BOTAR Ball. Each year, BOTAR contributes all proceeds from the ball and other fund raising events directly to the American Royal Association, the American Royal Scholarship Fund, and the BOTAR Fund of the American Royal Charitable Foundation. BOTAR has grown from an initial class of 12 women to over 1700 members.

The Royal Showcase Youth and Open Horse Show Scholarship, August 5-6, 2023  

The American Royal Association and BOTAR organization will award one $1,500 scholarship for post-secondary education to a junior exhibitor competing in the 2023 Royal Showcase, Youth and Open Horse Show.

Applications Open June 1, 2023

Applications Close July 27, 2023

For more information and to view the application click here. 

Hilary Watson Memorial Scholarship, Cutting Horse Show, August 25, 2023

The American Royal will award one $500 scholarship to the top point average in the youth division. To be eligible, exhibitors must compete in every youth class of their division. Preference will be given to Senior Youth exhibitors. If not Senior Youth, award will be given to Junior Youth exhibitor.

  • Awarded to the top point average in the senior youth division. Exhibitor must compete in every senior youth class. If not senior youth exhibitor, award will be given to top junior youth. Same rules apply.

  • Will be awarded after the last Youth Class on the last day of show.

Age Requirements: Showing as 17 and under

For More Information about the show click here. 

Quarter Horse Show High Point Champion Scholarship, September 7-10, 2023

The American Royal has established a scholarship for youth Quarter Horse Show exhibitors. One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to the Champion High Point in the 14-18 Division. Champion High Point is determined by the highest cumulative number of points earned in each class. The winner has to be enrolled in all classes in the division to be eligible.

  • Champion High Point in each division determined by highest cumulative number of points earned in each class

    • 14-18 Showmanship

    • 14-18 Western Pleasure

    • 14-18 Equitation

    • 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle

    • 14-18 Horsemanship

  • Winner has to be enrolled in all classes in the division to be eligible

Age Requirements: 14-18

For more information about the show click here. 

UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show Scholarship, November 6-11, 2023

After many years of partnership and support from the Belles of the American Royal, we are thankful for their generosity and contribution to this scholarship. This has helped many exhibitors further their education to the University of their choice and will carry on the BOTAR tradition of strong leaders.

The American Royal and BOTAR organization will each award a $1,500 scholarship to a junior exhibitor of the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show. This scholarship is open to junior exhibitors of any age. The scholarship is awarded through an application process. Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded.

Applications open August 31, 2023

Applications close October 19, 2023

  • Application Materials

    • Applicant Information Form

    • High School/Middle School Transcript

    • One Letter of Recommendation

    • High resolution headshot or other professionally done photo of the applicant

    • One-page essay written by applicant describing what their participation in the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show means to them

      • Font Size: 12 Font

      • Spacing: Single-Spaced

  • Presented on Saturday Evening Session

Age Requirements: Applicants must be junior exhibitors (showing as 18 and under) entered to compete in UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show

For more information and to view the application click here. 

Joe Mackey Memorial Scholarship - Will not be awarded in 2022

The JOE MACKEY SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to the Junior rider who accumulates the most points during the American Royal Hunter/Jumper Show  in the Junior Working Hunter classes, Pony Working Hunter classes, Children's Working Hunter classes, Hunt Seat Equitation classes, Medal classes, Children’s /Adult  Jumper classes, Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper classes, and in any other classes which are restricted to Junior Riders