For the second year, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show will award the Claire Mawdsley Scholarship, which rewards exhibitors who compete in the junior hunter divisions and attend a traditional “brick and mortar” high school on a full-time basis. 

This year, the scholarship will also include eligible riders showing in the 3’3” junior hunter division as well as the regular four junior divisions: small younger, small older, large younger, and large older. 

Two scholarships will be rewarded, one in each of the small and large junior hunters, regardless of age or fence height. Both champions will receive a check in the amount of $2,500, a champion ribbon and prizes. The second place riders will also be recognized with a reserve champion ribbon and prizes. 

To be eligible for the scholarship, exhibitors must be competing in one of the five divisions list above at this year’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show and must have attended at least 85 percent of the regular school calendar days during the spring 2015 semester. 

Applicants must provide a letter from his or her school confirming the student was in “good standing” in academics as well as conduct. In addition, school attendance records must be provided showing physical presence in the school’s classroom. 

The scholarships and awards will be based on cumulative high point scores acquired in jumping classes within respective junior hunter divisions at PHNS. 

This scholarship is named in honor of Virginia Intermont College student Claire Mawdsley, who was killed in an automobile accident while driving back to school after grooming for Tom Brennan’s Winter Hill Farm at the Middleburg Classic (Va.) on Sept. 26, 2011.

Applications for eligibility must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Oct. 7. Applicants are encouraged to apply in advance and can do so online at panational.org. Submit applications to PennScholarship@gmail.com