United States Eventing Association

Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) and the USEA Foundation are currently accepting applications for the winter 2022 round of the Ever So Sweet (ESS) scholarship in Ocala, Fla. The scholarship period will be two months beginning in January and ending in February/ March. The application deadline is October 15, 2021.

Edy Rameika, Sara Kozumplik Murphy, and Brian Murphy provide bi-annual sponsored internships for riders to train with Sara and Brian. The scholarship, which began in summer 2021, provides recipients with funding to immerse themselves in a high-performance training program with Brian and Sara of Overlook Farm Equestrian Center. During the winter, the scholarship will provide two months of training with Kozumplik Murphy and Murphy in Florida. 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. 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.

The Ever So Sweet scholarship is an important step toward increasing diversity and inclusion in equestrian sports. Edy Rameika has a 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.”

The first ESS scholarship winner, Helen Casteel of Silver Spring, Maryland recently finished her time at Overlook farm. “It’s been great from start to finish… it's almost a new beginning for my riding.” Casteel competed in several USEA recognized events and jumper shows, and had the opportunity to ride and compete one of Kozumplik Murphy’s horses when her own sustained an injury. She encourages others to apply and to go into the opportunity with an open mind, ready to learn new approaches to riding and horse care.

Please review the full description and application on SEE’s website https://www.stridesforequality.org/eversosweet 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.

For more information please contact Erin Tomson, Ph.D., Strides for Equality Equestrians at 509.332.9486 / erin.tomson@wsu.edu