• The American Paint Horse Association offers a variety of programs for youths and adults.roping horse image by Wendi Evans from Fotolia.com
  
  The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), a Texas-based horse breed registry organized in 1962, uses its charitable division, the American Paint Horse Foundation (APHF), to distribute scholarships to full-time college students, bolster rehabilitation programs offered at therapeutic horseback riding centers and sponsor youth leadership training.
  
  Since 1975, APHF “has awarded more than $530,000 in scholarships to students. A youth development program also helps fund American Junior Paint Horse Association leadership symposiums every year,” according to the Foundation.
  
  

APHF Scholarships

• The APHF presents annual, $1,000 scholarships to qualified college students. According to the Foundation, the applicant must be an APHA or American Junior Paint Horse Association member “in good standing and involved in horse activity using a Paint Horse or contributing actively to an APHA Regional Club for at least one year prior to and at the time of application.”
  
  Applications must be postmarked by March 1 of the year in which the scholarships are to be used. Faxes are not accepted. Once a scholarship is awarded, it can be renewed if the recipient maintains a B or better grade-point average.
  
  American Paint Horse Foundation Scholarships
  
  P.O. Box 961023
  
  Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023
  
  817- 834-2742, extension 422
  
  aphfoundation.org
  
  

Therapeutic Riding Grants

• The American Paint Horse Foundation began offering therapeutic riding grants in 2009.horseback riding image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Foundation, “The medical community has discovered what horse people have known all along–horseback riding is good for body, mind and soul. Children and adults facing physical and mental challenges are making major strides forward in recovery, thanks to the healing power of horses."
  
  The Foundation awards grants to children and adults and has been conducting therapeutic riding classes at APHA World Shows. The Foundation also supports programs "to help our injured troops to rehabilitate on horseback.” Therapeutic riding grants typically run $500.
  
  Therapeutic Riding Grants
  
  American Paint Horse Foundation
  
  P.O. Box 961023
  
  Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023
  
  817-222-6431
  
  aphfoundation.org
  
  

Leadership Training

• In addition to providing college scholarships for equestrians and grants to those involved in therapeutic riding, the APHF sponsors youth leadership training opportunities. These usually occur during annual APHA conventions and emphasize teamwork and oratorical skills.
  
  American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) members can get involved in leadership activities by becoming leaders of their regional clubs, state representatives or executive committee members. AjPHA executive committee members help determine the association’s administration and direction.
  
  Youth Leadership Training
  
  American Paint Horse Association
  
  P.O. Box 961023
  
  Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023
  
  817-834-2742
  
  apha.com