Scholarships

The Morgan Horse Club of Washington State Leo Beckley Endowment Fund was established in 1991 in memory of Leo Beckley, with the ultimate goal of encouraging an active youth program in the region. Mr. Beckley was an American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Director Emeritus. He was highly recognized for his outstanding dedication to the Morgan Horse, the Association, and the breed’s future through youth.

The Leo Beckley Endowment Fund is structured to encourage excellence in youth by providing for the award of scholarships based on either of two avenues of achievement.

A $500.00 scholarship is available to any outstanding young man or woman (21 and under), who is a member in good standing of the Morgan Horse Club of Washington State, Inc. and who is or will be a high school graduate or achieve their GED. A letter of application declaring why the applicant should be considered deserving of the scholarship, and three (3) reference letters relative to character, ability and achievement with the most recent transcript from high school and/or school in attendance at the time of application must be sent to the Endowment Committee. Selection is based on the applicant’s ability and aptitude for serious study, community service, leadership and achievement with horses, and completion or involvement in the AMHA Horsemastership program. Involvement in a youth group of MHCWS is not required but is a desirable activity. Upon selection by the committee, a written request from the recipient must be made for payment to the designated school. There may be more than one recipient each year, but previous winners are ineligible to participate a second time.

Previous Winners

2013 – Shelby De Lappe
2012 – Nikki Bell & Kaitlin Lebon
2001 – Ariana Bendokas

Scholarships are available to the senior winner of local Youth of the Year contests so that he or she may represent this region in the National Youth of the Year Contest held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Youth of the Year contests demand academic commitment, as well as horsemastership skills, therefore the scholarship awards well-rounded, active youth for their endeavors. To receive the award, the youth must be a member of The Morgan Horse Club of Washington State, Inc., win the senior division of a local, recognized Youth of the Year Contest, participate in the Youth of the Year Finals at the Grand National and World Championship Horse Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and submit a written request to the Endowment Committee. A youth may win the scholarship as many years as they are eligible, although they may not win more than once a season. There may be more than one recipient each year.

Previous Winners

2015 – Brooke Martin
2010, 2011, 2012 – Nikki Bell
2007 – Lindsey Thomas
2003 – Cara Lovik
2002 – Ashley Bens