Scholarships
SHTX Dr. Doug Householder Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Householder dedicated his life to education within the equine industry. He served as a Texas Extension Horse Specialist for 30 years, traveling throughout his career speaking and conducting horse educational programs. He was instrumental in working with other equine extension experts to develop the Stock Horse of Texas association in 1996. After retirement, he continued to teach clinics across the country, helping riders to improve their horsemanship and success with their horses.
The Stock Horse of Texas Dr. Doug Householder Memorial Scholarship will be presented to the highest placing graduating senior 4-Her in the Stock Horse Division at the Texas State 4-H Horse Show.
Donate Online to the SHTX Dr. Doug Householder Memorial Scholarship. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Amy Bell “Pay It Forward” Scholarship
The Amy Doris Bell “Pay It Forward” Scholarship is given in memory of Amy Doris Bell by Reba, Karla, and Bozo Rogers. It is meant to honor Amy's ideas, desires, and commitment to helping others improve their lives. Amy was a life long horse woman. She showed hunter jumpers as a youth, and after graduating high school changed riding disciplines and began showing cutting horses and reined cow horses. Amy managed the Bell family horse operation, Kalpowar Quarter Horses, in Dennis, Texas. Philanthropy was an important part of Amy's life, and she supported numerous agencies that provide health, wellness and education for children throughout the world. Amy passed away unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of 33. Amy and her parents, Larry and Ellen Bell's commitment to "paying it forward" played a large part in the college education for Reba Rogers. The Rogers family feels this is a God given opportunity to honor Amy by "Paying It Forward.”
This scholarship is presented at the annual SHTX Banquet to the highest placing Youth riding an AQHA Ranching Heritage bred horse, and can be presented to the same youth rider for two years. If the youth has won the award twice, it will be presented to the next highest placing youth rider on an AQHA Ranching Heritage bred horse.
Donate Online to the Amy Bell Scholarship. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Darlene Hicks Youth Scholarship
We lost a tough, brave cowgirl when Darlene Isbell Hicks of Hawley, Texas, died on July 10, 2011. She never rode a horse until after she married Thomas Hicks, but she soon loved to ride and show horses. She learned to team rope with her husband and also enjoyed wagon driving. Darlene was a member of Stock Horse of Texas Association, Texas Draft Horse Association and American Stock Horse Association. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000. While fighting cancer, she showed in Stock Horse of Texas competitions on several different horses. She won buckles, bronzes, a saddle and she was SHTX Reserve Champion Limited Non-Pro for 2010. One saying that gave Darlene encouragement during her battle was, “courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.”
In her honor, the Darlene Hicks Scholarship fund was established. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior. Applications are due February 1.
Donate Online to the Darlene Hicks Scholarship. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Zinn Lindsey Collegiate Scholarship
Zinn was a very visible member of SHTX, riding and working at many shows over the years. Zinn was an accomplished horseman, winning several state and national titles. He was active in SHTX, the Ranch Cutting Horse Association, the Ranch Horse Association of America, National Reined Cow Horse Association and AQHA.
Tragically, Zinn’s life was cut short in May, 2012, days after winning the RHAA Junior Horse World Championship. The Zinn Lindsey Scholarship was established to encourage and reward collegiate riders with a horse in the SHTX Derby. It is awarded to the highest placing collegiate rider in the SHTX Derby.
Donate to the Zinn Lindsey / Nathan and Norma Belcher Scholarship Fund. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Nathan & Norma Belcher Collegiate Scholarship
Nathan Belcher was an ardent supporter of the versatile stock horse. To honor his dedication to western heritage and his commitment to the mission of SHTX, an anonymous donation was made in his name in 2009. This donation established the Nathan Belcher Scholarship Award. Nathan’s wife and long time SHTX secretary, Norma Belcher, passed away in August 2016, and her family wanted to add Norma’s name to the scholarship. The Nathan and Norma Belcher Memorial Scholarship is presented to the highest placing collegiate entry in the SHTX Derby or Limited Derby.
Donate to the Zinn Lindsey / Nathan and Norma Belcher Scholarship Fund. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Dr. Josie Coverdale Collegiate Scholarship
A former competitor and member of SHTX, Dr. Josie Coverdale, passed away in February, 2016 from a car accident. Dr. Coverdale was an assistant professor in equine sciences at Texas A&M and an active part of the Equine Initiative. She was known for her passion for her career, her students, her selflessness and her character. In her memory, a SHTX scholarship has been established by her friends. The scholarship will be presented to a TAMU student who shows at the SHTX World Show and embodies the same hard work, excellence and pleasant demeanor that Josie shared with everyone.
Donate to the Dr. Josie Coverdale SHTX Scholarship fund. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
Download the scholarship application for the Dr. Josie Coverdale Scholarship. Applications are due Feb. 1.
Ben Tyner Legacy Scholarship
Ben Tyner, a Wyoming native, went missing January 29, 2019, in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada. Ben attended Laramie County Community College and was a competitor on the school’s first ranch horse team. He furthered his education at Tarleton State University, and competed on their team as well. From there he worked with teams at both Texas A&M - Commerce and the University of Wyoming. He worked around the world in the ranching industry, and was managing a ranch in Canada at the time of his disappearance.
This scholarship was developed by students and friends from the various colleges and universities connected to Ben in some way. Their hopes is the scholarship will recognize Ben’s legacy to: always be willing to help anybody in need; always be a team player, always be willing to teach/learn something new, and always up for an adventure.
This scholarship will be awarded in the near future. It is open to students participating on ranch horse teams at Tarleton State University and Colorado State University.
Donate to the Ben Tyner Legacy Scholarship Fund. All scholarship funds are managed by the Abilene Community Foundation.
