Chris Elliott was a horse trainer in the Atlanta area who lost her life to cancer in 2008. Chris devoted her life to the grassroots of equestrian sport. She never allowed a student’s ability to pay interfere with their ability to ride and take lessons. Her philosophy was that the best lessons that a horse can teach are life lessons. Through her program, her students learned confidence, patience, a sense of process, goal setting, an appreciation for the natural world and how to be good listeners. Above all, they learned kindness for all creatures and others. Chris encouraged all of her students to develop as people through the model of the horse. She led a life of service to others and she will be deeply missed by many creatures, both two and four legged. Chris’s most significant contributions were in the investments that she made in others; molding her students into caring people and her sport into a more accessible, safe and fun way for people to connect with horses.
In memory of Chris and to continue the spirit with which she lived her life, AAHJA has established a memorial scholarship in her name. The scholarship will be a need based award given to help cover/defray expenses for the AAHJA Finals Show. It is intended to benefit AAHJA members who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend our Finals horse show. The ideal applicant for the scholarship will be an AAHJA member who has participated in AAHJA sanctioned shows during the year and who needs financial assistance to make the Finals show a reality.
Awarding of Scholarship:
All information on the scholarship application is kept in strict confidence. A scholarship committee will review the application and may find it necessary to request additional information. This will be arranged by the scholarship committee on a confidential basis.
The scholarship is awarded in the form of a credit toward the applicant’s show bill at AAHJA Finals. Any funds exceeding the show bill total will be given in the form of cash to cover other finals costs such as horse transportation and instructor fees.
Please direct any questions to Ginny Smith at 706-255-2696. The scholarship application is due by September 21, 2011.
Please mail completed application to:
Ginny Smith
410 N Franklin Street
Athens, GA 30606
The applicant’s parent/guardian will be notified by October 5, 2011 of the award. The applicant’s parent/guardian must notify the committee by October 12, 2011 of their intentions towards the use of the scholarship. Notify the committee via e-mail to smithmaryvirginia@gmail.com AND telephone call to 706-255-2696. If the committee is not notified, the scholarship WILL BE FORFIETED.
Thank you for participating in the Chris Elliot Memorial Scholarship.
Click here for the Scholarship application.