The American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) is pleased to announce its 2010 educational scholarship recipients. Each award is $3,000. AMHI is proud to collaborate with the scholarship donors to assist these outstanding young women in defraying the cost of their college tuitions. This year AMHI is sponsoring more than $15,000 in scholarships and grants, including the educational scholarships, to Morgan youth nationwide. All AMHI scholarships and grants are available through the generosity of individual contributors and from the proceeds of special events.

2010 AMHI Helen Brunk Greenwalt and Doris Greenwalt Ryan Memorial Educational Youth Scholarship
The recipient of the 2010 AMHI Helen Brunk Greenwalt and Doris Greenwalt Ryan Memorial Educational Youth Scholarship is Rachel Menard of Walpole, MA. Menard is a writer, tutor of special needs children, honor roll student, and equitation champion. In 2009, she was the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Saddle Seat Gold Medal Champion and a member of Team Morgan.

"I rode my bike nearly 10 miles a day every day that I did not ride, all in pursuit of a dream I was determined to achieve—the AMHA Gold Medal. Through all of the effort and determination Morgan horses have taught me, I was able to achieve this goal unanimously and therefore realize one of my lifetime goals," said Menard.

2010 AMHI Dan and Leslie Kelley Educational Youth Scholarship
The recipient of the 2010 AMHI Dan and Leslie Kelley Educational Youth Scholarship is Rebecca Jones of Efland, NC. Jones is an honor roll student, varsity swimmer, violinist, and carriage driving champion. She was the AMHA Open Competition Junior Carriage Driving Champion in 2006 through 2009. Jones' goal is to become a Morgan horse trainer. She plans to major in business management to prepare for the challenges of operating a horse farm. "When I am not focusing on my academics, I am with horses and my hectic life stops. I transform into a simple girl who gets butterflies at the touch of a muzzle," said Jones.

2010 AMHI Wheat State Educational Youth Scholarship
The recipient of the 2010 AMHI Wheat State Educational Youth Scholarship is Kathryn George of Astoria, OR. George is valedictorian of her class, a water colorist and floral arranger, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and competitor in the Western division. "Without horses in my life I would not understand the importance of hard work. Horses have been a good source of reasoning for me; I'm constantly learning new things from them,” she said. George plans to be a doctor; she recently sold the Morgan that she owned for 10 years to help fund her college education.

2010 AMHI Cy Tirrell Educational Youth Scholarship
The recipient of the 2010 AMHI Cy Tirrell Educational Youth Scholarship is Olivia Lahr of Noblesville, IN. Lahr is an honor roll student, 4-H club president, and competitor in the hunter seat and Western divisions. In 2009, she was a Silver medal finalist in both Western seat and hunter seat on the flat and earned the Gold medal in Western seat. Of her horse, Lahr said, "'Tracks' has first and foremost taught me responsibility. He depends on me and I have to take care of him and give him the love he gives me every time I see him." Lahr plans to pursue a career as a pediatric dentist.

2010 Graywood Youth Horsemanship Grant
AMHI is proud to announce that Alexandra Glover of Newfane, VT, is the recipient of the 2010 Graywood Youth Horsemanship Grant. The Graywood Youth Horsemanship Grant, available through the generosity of the Graywood Foundation, Inc., provides an opportunity for the recipient to work with a training stable or breeding farm to acquire skill and knowledge in a "hands-on" environment.

Seventeen-year-old Glover competes at First Level dressage and schools her Morgan, West River Hollyhock, at Second Level. "My goal is to ride Grand Prix dressage by the time I turn 25," she said. "The amount of communication and practice dressage takes is remarkable. Dressage is my sport."