Rodeo Scholarships Extend Beyond the Ring
Bull riders, barrel racers, steer wrestlers and other rodeo event participants can compete for many awards, including college scholarships. Numerous scholarships are offered through national, state and local horse shows and organizations as well as through colleges that have rodeo teams and equine studies. There are scholarship awards for rising college freshmen, current undergraduate students and those planning to pursue graduate degrees. Criteria for winning a scholarship varies, and winners are selected based on one attribute or a combination of achievements.
All rodeo scholarships have grade point average (GPA) requirements. Because competition is great, students whose GPA's are higher than the scholarship's minimum requirement may have an edge over candidates who just meet the mark. Some scholarship committees also request to see transcripts and college entrance test scores.
Students vying for scholarships should have a video that showcases their ring talents and includes competition footage. This will be required for candidates who hope to compete on a school's rodeo team. It is possible a university's coach will make a scouting visit to observe the candidate perform in competition. Scholarships based strictly on academic achievement or financial need may not consider performance abilities and only require that candidates be a member of a rodeo organization or team. However, all candidates with performance and competition experience should be prepared to include a video highlighting their best moments in the ring.
Some rodeo scholarships require students to write an essay. Topics may relate to how participation in the sport has helped prepare them for college or how they plan to use their education within the horse industry. Those who advance beyond the initial candidate screening may be interviewed by the scholarship board. Students being considered for athletic scholarships will likely have the opportunity to speak with the coach. They should be able to discuss their future goals and explain why they would make a good scholarship recipient.
Financial need is the key factor of some scholarships, but not considered at all for others. For those that consider it, documentation verifying need must be available.
A college education equips students for many interesting careers within the horse industry. Studies in equine sciences will ready them for veterinarian school, teaching, research, large animal nutrition and physical therapy and breeding, raising and all other aspects of horse production. A major in equine management focuses on the business side of the industry which needs a multitude of professionals in order to operate, including managers, marketers, computer systems specialists, engineers, show organizers and accountants with specialized knowledge of the vital and exciting equine world.
All rodeo scholarships have grade point average (GPA) requirements. Because competition is great, students whose GPA's are higher than the scholarship's minimum requirement may have an edge over candidates who just meet the mark. Some scholarship committees also request to see transcripts and college entrance test scores.
Students vying for scholarships should have a video that showcases their ring talents and includes competition footage. This will be required for candidates who hope to compete on a school's rodeo team. It is possible a university's coach will make a scouting visit to observe the candidate perform in competition. Scholarships based strictly on academic achievement or financial need may not consider performance abilities and only require that candidates be a member of a rodeo organization or team. However, all candidates with performance and competition experience should be prepared to include a video highlighting their best moments in the ring.
Some rodeo scholarships require students to write an essay. Topics may relate to how participation in the sport has helped prepare them for college or how they plan to use their education within the horse industry. Those who advance beyond the initial candidate screening may be interviewed by the scholarship board. Students being considered for athletic scholarships will likely have the opportunity to speak with the coach. They should be able to discuss their future goals and explain why they would make a good scholarship recipient.
Financial need is the key factor of some scholarships, but not considered at all for others. For those that consider it, documentation verifying need must be available.
A college education equips students for many interesting careers within the horse industry. Studies in equine sciences will ready them for veterinarian school, teaching, research, large animal nutrition and physical therapy and breeding, raising and all other aspects of horse production. A major in equine management focuses on the business side of the industry which needs a multitude of professionals in order to operate, including managers, marketers, computer systems specialists, engineers, show organizers and accountants with specialized knowledge of the vital and exciting equine world.
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