CONTESTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Art Contest
The AYA is pleased to sponsor an annual Art Contest for youth to showcase their artistic talents. Entrants compete for cash prizes and more.
Artwork for this competition is accepted annually between April 1st – August 31st in three age divisions: 10 under, 11 – 13 and 14-18. Up to five artwork submissions may be made per individual.
You will also receive a free copy of the issue of the journal if your work is featured in the Appaloosa Journal.
Once submitted, art work belongs to the ApHC who reserves the right to use and modify as needed.
Prizes:
Youth, 10 & Under
- 1st Place: $100.00
- 2nd Place: $75.00
- 3rd Place: $50.00
Youth, 11-13
- 1st Place: $250.00
- 2nd Place: $100.00
- 3rd Place: $50.00
Youth, 14-18
- 1st Place: $250.00
- 2nd Place: $100.00
- 3rd Place: $50.00
2024 Art Contest Winners
10 & Under
- 1st Place- Isla DeBerry
- 2nd Place- Emmi Asbeck
- 3rd Place- Shiloh Hiebert
11-13
- 1st Place- Kaitlyn Ryun
- 2nd Place- Elizabeth Lisic
- 3rd Place- Elizabeth Lisic
14-18
- No Entries
Photography Contest
The AYA is pleased to sponsor the Youth Photography contest.
Send in a photo with a caption or comment about how Appaloosas make your life exciting. All captions must be under 300 characters. Up to five photos may be submitted per individual.
Please send all photos and entry forms to youth@appaloosa.com from April 1st to August 31st. After August 31st all photos will be posted on the Appaloosa Youth Association Facebook page for voting.
The photo with the most likes and comments will win. Voting will end one week after posting.
Prizes:
Youth, 13 & Under
- 1st Place: $250.00
- 2nd Place: $100.00
- 3rd Place: $50.00
Youth, 14-18
- 1st Place: $250.00
- 2nd Place: $100.00
- 3rd Place: $50.00
2024 Photography Contest Winners:
13 & Under
- 1st Place- Kaitlyn Ryun
- 2nd Place- Charis Gardner
- 3rd Place- Saul Seyller
14-18
- 1st Place- Owen Colegrove
- 2nd Place- Abigail Ryun
- 3rd Place- Abby Freeberg
Scholarships
AYF Scholarships
Each year the Appaloosa Youth Foundation awards thousands of dollars to youth who are pursuing higher education.
Up to five scholarships may be awarded to high school graduates, upperclassmen and graduate students who are members of the ApHC or are the son or daughter of an ApHC member.
The territory scholarship is for a graduating high school senior. The continuing scholarship is for students who have completed their first year of college and are incoming sophomores or higher.
The Sagebrush Circuit—Lew & JoAnn Eklund Educational Scholarship—is funded in its entirety by donations made to the Appaloosa Youth Foundation from the dissolution of funds of the Sagebrush Circuit. This scholarship, the highest attainable scholarship available from the Appaloosa Youth Foundation, is given to members of the ApHC or the son or daughter of an ApHC member, and is awarded to a college junior, senior, or graduate student who is pursuing a degree in a major field of study that is closely related to the equine industry.
Applicants must currently maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent 5.2 on a 6.0 scale. Each applicant must provide, or have submitted on their behalf, three letters of recommendation. Official transcripts must accompany each application. Additional requirements are outlined in the application.
AYA Member Memorial Scholarship
The AYA is honored to offer this new (as of May 2025) memorial scholarship of $500 to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college, trade school, or enter into an apprenticeship program. This scholarship is meant to honor all AYA members who have passed away at a young age.
The deadline for this scholarship is June 24, 2025. Please complete the application below, along with fulfilling the following requirements:
1. The Appaloosa Youth Association (AYA) must receive evidence of either enrollment forms from a
college, trade school, or apprenticeship program or a copy of the applicant’s term bill or grades to
demonstrate that the AYA can send the awardee the funds. The AYA must receive this evidence by no
later than December 31st of the year the scholarship is awarded. The scholarship will be forfeited if
this requirement is not fulfilled by December 31st. The AYA will not send funds until this
requirement is fulfilled.
2. Applicants must provide proof of being a high school senior via unofficial transcripts.
3. Applicants must be a current ApHC youth member.
4. Applicants must write a 450-700 word essay explaining what they intend to do with the
degree/program they enter into (e.g., what will they get out of it, why do it, how will it further their
career, career goals/ambitions, etc.)
5. Applicants must write a 300 word essay about how the Appaloosa horse has influenced their life.
6. Application must be submitted electronically to youth@appaloosa.com.
Download application here: AYA Memorial Scholarship Application