THE WSCA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
2026 WSCA Championship Show www. wsca. org 17
THE WSCA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Western Saddle Clubs Association( WSCA) administers an annual scholarship program that was initiated in 1977 in honor of Louie Klugman, a well known Minnesota horseman and supporter of numerous horse related activities. The program encourages and provides financial support for the continuing education of WSCA members beyond high school. It is a merit based scholarship with applicants evaluated primarily on scholarship, activities and essays relating educational and professional goals and what makes the individual a good candidate for a WSCA scholarship award. All types of educational goals are acceptable. The funds can be used at four-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools. Application forms will be available in the WSCA SPOTLIGHT and on the WSCA website( www. wsca. org) early in 2027.
Since the advent of the program, with one exception, one to eight awards have been made each year. The amount of the awards has varied from $ 200 to $ 2,000. The amount of the awards is determined by the WSCA Board of Directors each year and has been dependent upon financial resources available. Attempts continue to be made to increase the awareness of the program and the amount of the awards.
Four scholarship awards were presented in 2025 in the amount of $ 1500 to Carolyn Crum of the Scandia Riders, Eva Haskins of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association, Sidney Maki of the Peppy Ponies and Sophia Slater of the Madelia Saddle club. Support for the 2025 scholarship awards was made possible through the donation of monies earned at the 2024 Championship Show by WSCA judges, coliseum box reservations and a donation from CF Robinson, Thank you judges, saddle clubs that purchased a box for their members to sit in during the show and CF Robinson for your donations.
The Western Saddle Clubs Foundation presented a $ 750 WSCF Scholarship to Ava Stading of the Golden Ridge Saddle Club.
This notice also serves as an invitation to support this worthwhile WSCA program through donations, memorials and the encouragement of applicants. Donors will be recognized accordingly in the SPOTLIGHT and / or other WSCA events.
Contact Julie Gintner, WSCA Scholarship Committee Chairperson( 612-280- 3715) or Liz Bauer, WSCA secretary( 507-602-0760) for further information.