USA Equestrian Trust, Inc. (www.trusthorses.org) has announced that its deadline for receipt of written applications for grants from not-for-profit organizations this year is Wednesday, April 15, at the close of business, 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested applicants should visit http://trusthorses.org/grant/request.html for instructions and the appropriate forms to be completed.

At its annual meeting held in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) convention in Cincinnati in January, directors of the Trust originally expected the deadline to be in March, but upon further consideration extended the deadline to April 15. Following the deadline, the Grant Committee and the board will review all applications received and make decisions as to what financial support it can offer qualified applicants within equestrian sport this year. USA Equestrian Trust is a Sustaining Affiliate of USEF, and among its main funding priorities has been the USEF Equine Health Research Fund. Additional grants have also been made in the past to the USEF “On The Road” program and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) “Ribbons of Service,” as well as to Stephens College.

According to Alan F. Balch, President of the Trust, “given the performance of the equity markets since last year, our organization is just like most public charities, in that funding opportunities will likely be more limited than in the past. When our directors discussed the grant-making prospects for 2009, we decided to emphasize that any applicant should make a particular note in applying of how their request would provide funds to individuals or organizations truly in need. We believe that means-testing is especially important in times like these.” Balch added that any applicants who have previously submitted applications for grants in 2009 might well review those applications and submit written amendments or additions to clarify and explain how their proposals address this important need-based criterion.

For more information about USA Equestrian Trust, Inc., visit the website at www.trusthorses.org, or the Trust at P.O. Box 13321, Lexington, KY 40583-3321.