USA Equestrian Trust has awarded $95,000 in grants to help fund four more equine projects as part of a historic year of grant-giving for the foundation. The awards come on top of nearly $240,000 awarded in May to 11 equine non-profits.

The Trust’s volunteer leadership approved an expansion of the program earlier this year, offering a second grant application period for the first time in the foundation’s history. The organization saw even greater need from interested non-profits as the number of applications received in 2012 more than doubled compared to the year before. The Trust’s volunteer leadership responded by granting more than it ever has before.

“In this time of continued economic instability, the board of USA Equestrian Trust dedicated itself to helping, as best we can, the many worthy equine non-profits in need of assistance,” commented USA Equestrian Trust President Alan F. Balch.

Since the inception of the Trust’s grants program, the organization has awarded more than $1.25 million in grants to equine non-profits. 

The four projects funded as part of the grants period ending in October were:

• $32,500 to USA Reining Inc., to assist in start-up expenses for the newly recognized FEI sport affiliate. The organization seeks to support the sport at the grassroots level and grow its presence nationally.

• $30,000 to the Arabian Horse Association to completely revamp its website to help the organization market and promote the breed.

• $20,000 to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation to assist in replacing the aging lighting system in the organization’s Anderson Coliseum, which hosts equestrian events of all disciplines. The upgrade will provide a safer facility for the 500,000 competitors who compete there annually.

• $12,500 to establish a need-based travel grants program for riders in California and Nevada seeking training as part of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program.

To learn more about USA Equestrian Trust and its grants program, visit the Trust’s website. It is expected grant applications will once again be accepted beginning Feb. 1, 2013, according to conditions announced at that time for the upcoming year.