The Race For Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and Platinum Performance have established a one-year scholarship designed to support veterinary students intending to enter equine veterinary medicine. The scholarship will also reward leadership and participation in Student Chapters of the AAEP (SCAAEP). While providing financial aid to students in their fourth year of veterinary school, the Winner's Circle Scholarship will help to offset the escalating cost of veterinary education and minimize debt load at graduation. The Race For Education will administer the scholarship program.

The Winner's Circle Scholarship program will award one scholarship (for a minimum of $1,500 and possible $5,000 if the student meets additional financial need requirements) to a deserving student at the 34 Colleges of Veterinary Medicine throughout North America and the West Indies that sponsor a national chapter of SCAAEP.

"Each year we receive hundreds of applications from students in veterinary school; their financial burden is enormous. The Winner's Circle Scholarship program allows us to address this need at a national level," said Elisabeth Jensen, Vice President of The Race For Education.

This program is being provided through a collaboration of donations of $17,000 by each partner: Platinum Performance, AAEP Foundation and The Race For Education. This program aims to foster loyalty to the AAEP, the AAEP Foundation, Platinum Performance, The Race For Education, and the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries. However, most importantly these scholarships will assist veterinary students dedicated to helping horses in their careers.

The Winner's Circle Scholarship eligibility requirements include being a member of a national SCAAEP and a student at a college of veterinary medicine. Applications will be made for this scholarship during a student's third year in school, with funding occurring during the student's fourth year of their veterinary curriculum.

"When we help future equine veterinarians reach their goals, we are helping to protect the health and welfare of the horse for decades to come," said Dr. Doug Corey, AAEP Foundation President. "The Foundation is delighted to collaborate with such outstanding organizations to support the best and the brightest in their pursuit of a rewarding career as an equine veterinarian."

"Platinum Performance is committed to improving the health, performance and longevity of the horse. We can think of no better way of furthering this mission than by investing in the future of veterinary medicine. Our participation in the Winner's Circle Scholarship Program let's us do this," said Mark Herthel, President of Platinum Performance, Inc.

Each SCAAEP can nominate up to three students to receive a scholarship. Applications for the Winner's Circle Scholarships can be found at www.racingscholarships.com. Applications must be submitted to the student's SCAAEP chapter by February 28, 2008. Nominations must be made by the SCAAEP for a maximum of three students to The Race For Education by March 15, 2008.

The Race For Education (www.racingscholarships.com) enables children of low-income horse industry families, as well as children who want to pursue a horse-related career, to obtain a college degree by providing tuition support; financial literacy training to help students minimize their debt load; mentoring services to provide students with emotional support; and assistance in finding career-related internships during college and permanent jobs upon graduation. To date, the organization has awarded nearly $1,500,000 to students in 22 states.