Mountain King Ranch Equitation Grant

Mountain King Ranch Equitation Grant

What is The Mountain King Ranch Equitation Grant Presented by The Colorado Hunter Jumper Association?

In 2020, Colorado junior rider Dominic Gibbs won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and finished in the top 5 in all the "Big Eq" finals. In February 2021, he won the inaugural World Equestrian Center Equitation Premier Cup -- the prize? A brand-new Chevy Blazer. Dominic kept the car for a short time, then sold it and split the money into savings and the start of a grant to help a younger rider from his home state experience national championship level training and international equestrian sport at The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida. This is a grass roots way to make the sport more accessible and more inclusive. 

The grant will cover:

  • Round Trip Airfare
  • Rental car
  • Accommodations for 6 nights
  • Most meals 

Sponsors have added the following benefits:

  • A demo Voltaire saddle to borrow
  • A brand new Voltaire Bridle +  Martingale + hunter girth to keep 
  • 1 schooling attire outfit - Rider's Boutique 
  • 1 pair of Riding Gloves - Kunkel Gloves 
  • 6- days of lessons - Beacon Hill Show Stables 
  • 6-day lease of a horse - Score Academy 
  • **And more in the works! 

The grant does not include any show expenses should the winning applicant want to compete. The grant does not cover personal and incidental or souvenir expenses.

Who Should Apply?

You should! Any CHJA junior member is eligible, regardless of level or experience. If selected, the grant will cover expenses of the junior rider and an adult chaperone.

When

The dates of travel should be discussed and agreed upon between the winning applicant and Beacon Hill Show Stables between January 2022 - April 2022. 

Where

Wellington, Florida

The Daily Schedule

A typical schedule at Beacon Hill Show Stables includes morning lessons and perhaps a leisurely trail ride with new friends on the nearby bridle trails. The winning applicant is encouraged to stick around the barn to observe the other lessons (of all levels), observe the organization and barn management for a busy competitive stable in Florida, Lunch is on your own at a nearby eatery or at the show, and then perhaps an afternoon watching the hunters, jumpers, or equitation riders in their element and at the top of their game. There will be ample time to watch a local polo game, attend "Saturday Night Lights" Grand Prix and shop for items that you might not find at home. 

Stacia Klein MaddenAbout Beacon Hill Show Stables

Beacon Hill Show Stables has a track record of national championships -- coaching 19 students to wins at each of the major equitation finals over the last 18 years. Their team of coaches prioritize coaching effective riding and building fundamentals for each rider to build a solid foundation for a lifetime in the sport.
The owner and head instructor at BHSS is Stacia Klein Madden, winner of the 1987 ASPCA Maclay Finals with top spots in both the AHSA Medal Finals and the USET Finals Talent Search - East. Stacia has a strong reputation of bringing riders to the very top of the sport and many of her former students now represent the USA on international teams. To learn more, visit https://www.beaconhillshowstables.com/

About Your Horse

You do not need to bring a horse, Stacia and Beacon Hill will work to find an appropriate mount for you, based on your level of riding, what you want to work on and your goals. You do not need to bring any tack or gear -- just bring your own riding clothes with the benefit of Rider's Boutique outfitting you in something brand new as well! 

Application Criteria and Review

  • Deadline for application submission is November 9, 2021
  • Names and identifying information will be removed from the application and submitted to the CHJA Board and Dominic and Erin Gibbs for review. 
  • The top 3 applicants will be forward to Stacia Klein Madden for review and a potential interview. 
  • The winning applicant will be announced on Dec. 1, 2021. 
  • The winning applicant can then work with Stacia Klein Madden directly to choose the optimal time to come to Florida for the week. 

What You Need to Know

  • The application requires written responses and self-reflection, two photographs and two uploaded YouTube videos of your riding. 
  • Applicants can reapply annually but if selected, you cannot apply again. 

The Mountain King Ranch Equitation Grant Presented by The Colorado Hunter Jumper Association was started by Dominic Gibbs and is generously supported in part by donations from sponsors and donors. 

APPLICATION

This is our first time offering a program like this and we are so excited to watch it grow! If you have any further questions -- please contact Sarah Watson 203 | 470 | 4521