Category Archives: Youth Programs

AHP Equine Media Student Award

2023 Applications now open! Apply before February 14, 2023.

Are you an aspiring equine journalist? Get a chance to jumpstart your career in equine media through the American Horse Publication’s Equine Media Student Award! Each year AHP awards up to three talented students with travel grants to the annual AHP Conference. Additional benefits include the opportunity to network with equine media professionals and attend educational workshops and lectures. Of the Travel Award winners, one will be chosen for the AHP Equine Media Student Award and receive a $1000 cash prize.

Applications are restricted to high school seniors and undergraduate matriculated college students under the age of 25. Click here for more information on award eligibility and guidelines.

For more information on AHP and its various student programs, contact Judy Lincoln at AHorsePubs2@aol.com or visit www.americanhorsepubs.org.

 

Pony Club

Pony Club is the largest equestrian educational organization in the world.  This is where it all begins! The cornerstones of our foundation are education, safety, sportsmanship, stewardship and FUN. Members learn riding and the care of horses through mounted sports. The skills, habits and values instilled through horsemanship will apply to every part of a member’s life.

Participating members have access to the Pony Club online community, sponsor discounts, educational standards and achievements, a Pony Club Pin, and the chance to participate in activities such as lessons and certifications, rallies and competitions, Championships and Pony Club Festival. A host of additional programs such as international exchanges, USEF Pony Finals, Dressage for Kids, National Youth Board, National Youth Congress, scholarships, and the Visiting Instructors Program are available to members who develop and progress through Pony Club. Many of our graduates feel that Pony Club helped shape their character and the choices they have made as adults.

VISIT SITE→

U.S. Pony Racing

US Pony Racing is dedicated to bringing horse and pony flat and jump race riding opportunities and education to young and amateur riders of all ability levels.  USPR offers low or no-cost clinics to pony clubs, fox hunting clubs, 4-H, and other groups, and also provides unmounted educational opportunities to the general public, all of which are led by top trainers and riders in the steeplechase and flat racing industries . With a focus on safety, it is the mission of USPR to  make race riding accessible to all skill levels of riding, from lead line to the hard core fox hunters, in effort to perpetuate and preserve the sport of horse racing in general.

Pony racing is limited to mounts that are 5 years old and up and not exceeding 14.2 hands, ridden by juniors who have not had their 16th birthday as of the first of the year. All age levels and ability levels are welcome for educational experiences, but rider and pony race entrant combinations must meet the above requirements and also be pre-screened before being permitted to race.

Groups seeking clinic instruction need not necessarily be interested in racing, USPR clinics can also cover pace and/or cross country schooling techniques that will help the pony/horse and rider become a better team, leading to better performances despite the discipline they may choose.   Clinics make excellent fundraisers for clubs.  Ask us how we can help you raise money!

VISIT SITE→

4-H

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States, with about 6 million participants and over 25 million alumni!

The Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program provides a supportive setting for youth to reach their fullest potential. Children learn beneficial cognitive and life skills through community-focused, research-based, experiential educational programs. Participation is open to all youth ages 5-18. The Clover Program is open to youth ages 5-7 years and the 4-H Program serves 8-18-year-old participants. 4-H values diversity and advocates for the inclusiveness of all children regardless of background or identity.

4-H has an over 100-year tradition of voluntary action through strong public and private partnerships at federal, state, and community levels. Local volunteer leaders and youth practitioners partner with local Extension staff from the University of Maryland to provide direct leadership and educational support to young people in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

The 4-H youth development program is a group of young people engaging in various projects, events, and activities with adult and teen leaders and their families. Regardless of the programs, each 4-H group involves youth, family, and community members working and learning together.

Learn More→

FFA

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.

Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields.

FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.

The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change.

Visit Site→

Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program

PRESENTED BY

The 2024 Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program will run in early June – dates to be announced!

APPLICATIONS REOPEN JANUARY 2024


Launched in 2017, the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program is an educational program within the new Howard & Sondra Bender Educational Series that aims to:

  • Increase awareness of the diverse career options in the Thoroughbred industry
  • Give participants access to leaders of the Maryland Thoroughbred community
  • Highlight various paths for pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry
  • Address a critical need to attract and retain experienced and devoted employees

Over the course of a week, participants are encouraged to fully engage in the Maryland Thoroughbred industry and explore a multitude of career options. Graduates of the MTCP are eligible to apply for Career Development Funds, one-time funding that can be used to further career pursuits within two years after the program ends.

Interested? Contact bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com with questions.

 


Learn more about the MTCP:

MTCP FAQ’s

Sample Schedule

Graduate Testimonials

Participant Bios 

Graduates


Gallery

 

 

Link

The Maryland High School Rodeo Association is a statewide organization serving to maintain the standards set by the National High School Rodeo Association. The MDHSRA is dedicated to promoting the sport of rodeo and sportsmanship while preserving western heritage for students in elementary through high school.

Visit Site→

Maryland Licensed Stables

Want to take riding lessons? Board your horse?  Work at a rescue? Find a Therapeutic Riding Center? You need a  Maryland Licensed Stable! The one common theme among all twenty-three counties as well as the state is the welfare of the horses. It is to help ensure the safety and care of the horses that the state and these counties require licenses. Search your surrounding counties and find the perfect stable for you!

Learn More →