Scholarship Offerings

Application Season: Fall/Winter 2025 for Spring 2026

A student from the Governor Morehead School enjoys his time bonding with Sienna, one of our gentle therapeutic horses.

Therapeutic Riding Scholarships

Since 2003, Horses for Hope has supported hundreds of families caring for loved ones with special needs. As part of our mission, we provide scholarships to ensure that children and adults of all backgrounds can access the healing power of horses through our therapeutic riding classes.

Therapeutic riding classes include specialized riding sessions designed to improve the physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being for individuals with a diverse range of needs, utilizing the horse as a partner in therapy and empowerment.

In therapeutic riding classes, the rider will:

  • Learn to groom, tack, and care for horses
  • Practice riding skills like steering, stopping, and starting
  • Build balance and core strength through fun mounted exercises
  • Play games on horseback (ring toss, cone weaving, beanbag carry)
  • Explore trail riding and obstacle courses with guidance
  • Develop social and communication skills while working with trained instructors and volunteers
  • Gain confidence and independence in and out of the saddle

Please continue reading for the most up-to-date information on our current scholarship offerings. Please note that scholarship availability varies by season.

Current Scholarships

Youth Scholarship Opportunities

Thanks to our 2025-2026 scholarship sponsor, Capital City Clauses, we’re gifting the magic of therapeutic riding this holiday season!

For the Spring 2026 semester, two youth riders (ages 4-18) will receive full tuition for an 8-week therapeutic riding session.

🗓️ Scholarship Application Opens: October 1, 2025
⏰ Deadline: November 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Scholarship recipients are only responsible for a $50 registration and evaluation fee.

Click below to learn more about the scholarship process and how to apply. The results will be announced just in time to be the perfect holiday gift!

Who Can Apply?
  • Parents/guardians of children ages 4–18 who would benefit from therapeutic riding
  • Families demonstrating financial need
  • Families who can commit to the full 8-week session

    Please note: If you are a current or previous Horses for Hope rider, your account must be current to apply.
How to apply
  1. Complete the Scholarship Application form and upload your most recent tax return when prompted. Note: The application should take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.
  2. Submit all materials by November 1, 2025 at 11:59PM.
  3. The Scholarship Committee will review applications based on:
    • Demonstrated financial need
    • Anticipated benefits of therapeutic riding
    • Family circumstances and readiness to commit
  4. Applicants will be notified of results on the week of December 1, 2025.
    • If your child is offered a scholarship, please note that this offer is tentative, and will not be officially awarded until a riding evaluation is completed and the child is accepted into our therapeutic program. Please see the “Scholarship Policies” section for more information.
Scholarship Revocation Policy

Policy Notice: All scholarship recipients will receive a tentative scholarship offer, contingent upon completion of a riding evaluation. Riding evaluations will be scheduled after the tentative scholarship offer is made. Scholarships will only become official upon successful acceptance into the therapeutic riding program following this evaluation. If a recipient does not meet the requirements for acceptance, the scholarship will be revoked and reassigned to another applicant. All decisions are final.

If awarded, scholarships may then be revoked if:

  • More than 2 lessons are missed during the session
  • A no-show occurs without notice (immediate termination)
  • The account becomes delinquent
  • The participant withdraws from the program
Important Notes
  • Scholarships apply only to Horses for Hope therapeutic riding programs.
  • The scholarship does not cover the $50 registration and evaluation fee.
  • Awards are non-transferable and have no cash value.
  • Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
  • All financial information remains strictly confidential.

Ready to apply?

Apply now

Please complete the application before November 1, 2025 at 11:59PM. We look forward to helping children experience the joy, growth, and healing of therapeutic riding!

2025 Youth Scholarship Sponsor: Capital City Clauses

Adult Scholarship Opportunities

While we do not currently have a scholarship available for our adult riders, please continue to check in, as we update our website regularly with any new information. Thank you!

Have questions?

Contact Emma (Scholarship Coordinator)
emma@horsesforhope.org
An overjoyed therapeutic riding student gains confidence in the saddle while building balance, strength, and independence through guided instruction.
Lead Therapeutic Riding Instructor Dawn guides students in developing balance, coordination, and confidence while exploring trails on horseback. Her lessons emphasize safety, clear communication, and the joy of connecting with horses in a supportive environment.
SADDLE UP

Let’s ride!

In addition to therapeutic riding, we also offer standard lesson programs.

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