TWHBEA Scholarships

TWHBEA/Glenn C. Dowell Family Undergraduate Scholarship

TWHBEA/Glenn C. Dowell Family Graduate Scholarship

AWARD: $6,500 total (number of recipients TBD)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a member of TWHBEA for 18 months prior to application deadline: June 15.

• Cannot apply for the scholarship before junior year of high school.

• Cannot be over the age of 24 (for undergraduates).

TWHBEA and the Glenn C. Dowell Family recognize that youth are vital to the successful future of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and awards both graduate and undergraduate scholarships each year. Scholarships can be used for accredited colleges, junior colleges, universities, or trade schools. The scholarship amounts are based on availability of funds and the selection is based equally on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and equine involvement.

Deadline to apply: June 15, 2026

Jane Hardy Meredith Memorial Scholarship

AWARD: $1,000 each to 2 recipients

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be or have a family member who is a member of TWHBEA.

• Cannot apply for the scholarship before junior year of high school.

• Must re-apply each year of eligibility.

• Cannot be over the age of 24.

Jane Hardy Meredith was well known and loved and highly successful in every aspect of her life. The Tennessee Walking Horse industry was a huge part of Jane and it occupied a big piece of her heart ever since she started riding as a child. When she became involved with Tennessee Walking Horses, she pursued that with all the love and passion that was synonymous with Jane.

She was a beautiful rider, owner, breeder and advocate for the Tennessee Walking Horse. She served in leadership roles within the industry including as a board member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association. She was always known for her beauty, grace, loyalty and for standing up for everything she believed.

Deadline to apply: June 15, 2026

TWHBEA/SWHBA Scholarship

AWARD: $1,000 each to 2 recipients

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a member of TWHBEA or TWHYA for 12 months prior to application deadline: June 15.

• Cannot apply for the scholarship before junior year of high school.

• Undergraduate applicants cannot be over the age of 24.

• Preference may be given to applicants from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, or Arkansas.

The Southwest Walking Horse Breeders Association (SWHBA) ceased operations after many decades of service to the Tennessee Walking Horse community in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. In a final act of generosity and forward-thinking stewardship, the organization has donated its remaining assets to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Foundation to establish a scholarship fund that will benefit students involved in the breed.

Deadline to apply: June 15, 2026

W.R. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship

AWARD: $1,000 each to 1 recipient

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be or have a family member who is a member of TWHBEA.

• Cannot apply for the scholarship before junior year of high school.

• Must re-apply each year of eligibility.

• Cannot be over the age of 24.

The W.R. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship funded by the Mitchell family in honor of W.R. Mitchell of Eight Mile, Alabama. Mr. Mitchell was a lifelong supporter of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and proudly rode Go Boy’s Scooter to the Owner-Amateur 50 & Over World Championship in 1964, an accomplishment he cherished and shared with his family throughout his life.

In addition to his love for horses, Mr. Mitchell was the owner of W.R. Mitchell Contractors, where he built a respected reputation in pipeline construction, specializing in water and sewer utilities. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman who valued hard work, dedication, and family. This scholarship is presented in his memory to help support future generations in pursuing their educational goals.

Deadline to apply: June 15, 2026

Alabama Walking Horse Ladies Auxiliary 

Deadline: January 5

Eligibility: An immediate family (parent/grandparent/guardian) must be a WHAA member in good standing for at least two years for applicant to be eligible for a scholarship. 

The Alabama Walking Horse Ladies Auxiliary scholarships are for $500 each. 

Marshall County Horsemans Association 

Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Must live in Marshall County, Tennessee and be associated with the horse business in some way (doesn’t have to be walking horses)

The Marshall County Horsemans Association will award a total of $1,000 in scholarships this year.

For more information or questions contact Freda Dean at fredardean@gmail.com or 931-703-4808.

Pleasure Walking Horse Association of Tennessee (PWHAT) 

Deadline: June 1

Eligibility: Must be a PWHAT member for a minimum of 12 months

The mission of the PWHAT Scholarship Program is to provide monetary assistance to our youth members seeking to earn a degree of higher education. The PWHAT Scholarship Program will provide financial assistance to our individual members enrolled for undergraduate study in community colleges, vocational/trade schools, colleges and universities. Assisting the youth of the PWHAT organization will produce future leaders that can carry on the promotion and business of the Pleasure Tennessee Walking Horse both in and out of Tennessee.

Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) Scholarship

Deadline: July 1

Eligibility: Open to children of members or employees of the WHTA

The scholarship selection is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, citizenship achievements, contributions to the walking horse industry, and financial need.

Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary

Deadline: June 15

Eligibility: Any person involved with Tennessee Walking Horses

Each year the Auxiliary awards scholarships to any person involved with Tennessee Walking Horses who is furthering his/her education. Scholarships are based on need, merit, Auxiliary members and/or their families, and graduate degree-seeking students. These scholarships are for those in college and those starting college. At least one scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a graduate degree.

Contact Beth Thomas at 931-580-6825 or thomasb@bedfordk12tn.com, Kari Tisma at 678-576-1290 or karitisma23@yahoo.com

Upper Cumberland Walking Horse Association Scholarship

Deadline: June 15

Eligibility: Applicants must be a UCWHA member in good standing for at least the past two years.

UCWHA Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic ability, leadership and extracurricular activities, involvement in equine and UCWHA activities, and financial need. Scholarship recipients are eligible to use the award for undergraduate or graduate educational expenses at the college, junior college, university or trade school of their choice.

For more information, contact Jimmy Sherrell at 615-464-5047 or ibwalkin2016@gmail.com.

North Carolina Walking Horse Association

Deadline: September 30

Eligibility: Applicants must have been a member of the NCWHA by June 1 of the scholarship year.

The North Carolina Walking Horse Association offers a minimum of two $1,000 scholarships each year – The Lynn Culbreth Memorial Scholarship and the NCWHA/Ronald Mosley Memorial Scholarship. Depending on funding, more scholarships may be made available.

Applications will be available in August on the NCWHA website or by emailing terriem552@aol.com.

The South Carolina Walking Horse Association Scholarship

Deadline: July 1, 2026

Eligibility: Applicants shall be a recent graduate of high school, or a graduating HS senior entered solely into a technical, university, or secondary educational setting. Adults who are reentering into an accredited program of study are also eligible with proof of acceptance.

Applicants must have maintained a SCWHA membership six months prior to applying for the scholarship.

Preference will be given to applicants who have shown an interest in the recognized horse breeds of the SCWHA High-Point Program. Participation includes: showing under saddle/halter, grooming, or regularly attending and/or supporting SCWHA affiliated horse shows.