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2014 AEF SCHOLARSHIP The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF), its Board of Directors, and the Scholarship Committee are pleased to offer scholarships to AEF members who wish to pursue or continue a post secondary education. We offer our members a financial award to gain academic standing or enhance practical learning in accredited post secondary colleges and universities. It is our hope that this assistance leads to, or furthers, a career in an equine-related area. FUNDING The AEF Scholarship is a financial award from the AEF Scholarship Fund. It is maintained through the generous support of donors and through the sale of AEF lapel pins. The AEF thanks those members who have provided the financial means to create the fund. AEF Mandate The AEF is a member-driven, nonprofit provincial organization responsible for organizing, coordinating, sanctioning and administering equine sport and recreation in Alberta since 1978. In addition, the AEF serves the entire equine community of all ages, interests and involvement. In particular, the AEF is a leader in horse welfare and safety issues, prominent in trails education and management, and promotes and supports educational initiatives of all types for all of its sectors: recreational, competitive and business. Membership is in excess of 16,000 individuals, as well as over 170 club and business industry members. The AEF is the only equestrian group recognized by Alberta Sport Connection. As such, we are the only organization to directly receive funding and to have a voice within the Alberta Government on behalf of all equestrians in Alberta. VISION The Voice of Equine Alberta The premier source for education, information and support for Albertas entire equine community. MISSION To assist in creating a positive environment for the enjoyment of equines through leadership and a proactive approach. We promote, facilitate, and coordinate equestrian related activities in Alberta.

FINANCIAL AWARDS Annual awards of $750 are available. Capri Insurance provides additional funds towards the scholarships, which are determined by the Scholarship committee as to distribution. SELECTION COMMITTEE Selection is made by a volunteer committee of a minimum of three (3) AEF members. APPLICATION CRITERIA Individuals may apply if they: 1. Have been an AEF member for two consecutive years from January 1, 2012 to and including January 1, 2014 2. Are a Canadian citizen or hold landed immigrant status 3. Are over 16 years of age; and 4. Have not been awarded an AEF scholarship An unsuccessful applicant may re-apply. Applications are considered if: 1. The scholarship is or will be applied towards an equine-related program 2. The program is at an accredited post-secondary educational institute that is a college or university. 3. The scholarship is or will be applied towards full or part-time studies The complete application package must be received at the AEF office by midnight, on the last Friday in April of each year. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All applicants will be notified by August 1. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of information contained in their application forms, essays, letters of reference, and CVs. AEF does not return any application materials. Personal information is considered private and confidential. Successful applicants may be asked to provide information, articles or photographs at no charge to the AEF for use in electronic or hard copy marketing materials. AEF reserves the right to withdraw or modify all or part of this scholarship and application process.

APPLICATION FORM Please complete and sign the AEF Scholarship Application form. Provide FOUR (4) hard copies of all materials. Do not staple. Scholarship applications MUST be mailed to the AEF office. Applications that are emailed will not be accepted. ONLY the short biography and image may be emailed to execdir@albertaequestrian.com. ESSAY We request a 400-word typed essay from you as part of your application package (12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced) with your name on the top left. Below are examples of what you might address in your essay. 1. What accomplishments have lead you to apply for this award, and if you were to receive this award, how would you use it? 2. How have you been involved with horses or other equines, including volunteer or community activities related to your interest in horses? 3. What are your future equine-related plans, and how will those plans benefit equestrians and equines in Alberta? 4. How do you think equestrian activities or the welfare of horses could be advanced in Alberta? 5. How has being a member of the AEF benefited you? 6. Tell us where you want to be with your career in the next five years? SHORT BIOGRAPHY AND IMAGE FOR ALBERTA BITS As part of the application, each applicant is required to write a short biography of 130-150 words. Successful award recipients will have their biography published in an upcoming issue of Alberta Bits. The images must be high-resolution jpg images; 600 kb minimum. Attached are two samples on the scholarship recipients published in recent issues in Alberta Bits, which shows how the articles were presented, and the type of photographs included. Please forward the short biography (word format) and your high-resolution image (minimum 600 kb) to execdir@albertaequestrian.com. They must be sent before or on the deadline for the scholarship application.

Examples of a Short Biography and images: Kelsey Shacker Kelsey Shacker is a 23-year-old who grew up in Edmonton. She began riding at around eight years old, taking English lessons and learning to jump. She has taught riding lessons, ridden Western, worked at summer camps, and ridden out in the mountains. Within the last two years, Shacker began dressage lessons, as well as working with green and un-started horses at a farm in Sundre that raises and trains draft and warmblood crosses. She just purchased and started riding her first horse, Orion, an untouched two-year old Percheron/Thoroughbred colt. Shacker has a BSc in Agriculture with an Animal Science major from the University of Alberta, and in 2008, she was accepted into the inaugural class at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary medicine program. Upon completion of her degree (2012) she plans to work in rural Alberta and focus on large animal medicine. (Number of words: 144)

Nevada Rowe Nevada Rowe is 17, from Calgary and has been accepted into Lakeland Colleges Western Ranch and Cow Horse program, where shell continue to learn new techniques in training horses and working with livestock. During this time, shell be involved with 4-H in the Vermillion River District. After her studies at Lakeland, Rowe plans to continue her education, this time in criminology to reach her goal of becoming a mounted police officer. Rowe has been involved with horses all her life and has been both a 4-H and Pony Club member. She is also a keen volunteer and, for example, has helped at the Foothills Therapeutic Riding Association cleaning tack, teaching and assisting younger members in the clubs she belongs to. Last summer, Rowe worked at Heritage Park, Calgary, as a ranch hand and was the teamsters assistant. (Number of words: 137)

Images should be representative of horse and rider in a familiar activity, any discipline. High resolution images required. The images may be cropped by the editor of Alberta Bits to fit the space.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE Two (2) letters. References must include name, address and email address or phone number of the person providing the reference. Please inform your two references that the AEF may contact them. Letters of reference must be included in your package, do not have your references mail or email their letters to the AEF. CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) Please include a current CV.

SURVEY
Please fill out the survey to help us create an easy-to-follow and complete application process. We would appreciate your feedback:

1. How did you find out about the scholarship?

Alberta Bits AEF website AEF enews University or college website Word of mouth Other _________________________________________________________________

2. Where did you access the application form?

AEF website College Other _________________________________________________________________

3. Were the instructions easy to understand?

Yes No If no, why? _____________________________________________________________

4. How will the scholarship help you?

Tuition Books Other? _________________________________________________________________

5. Did you apply for and receive other scholarships? 6. How can we improve the scholarship application process.
Is the application deadline reasonable? Was the application form easy to fill out? Yes Yes No No

Any comments on the type of criteria expected?

7. What are your thoughts and ideas on the AEF scholarship concept? How can we improve?

8. Do you have any comments on the AEF's commitment to education?

COMMITTEE APPLICATION If you are successful in your application for the scholarship fund, we request that you consider serving on the scholarship or other AEF committee for one year. Would you be willing to take part? Yes No

There is a time commitment, a few hours over a number of weeks, starting in mid November and ending August 15. During that time, you would be asked to review some documents, such as the terms of reference, meeting notes, review applications, and present and/or approve recommendations. Depending on the number of applications, commitment for about eight hours of time over a two-week period would be required. The applications are distributed to the committee members approximately three weeks after the deadline. Serving on an AEF committee is not a criterion, but your involvement would assist the AEF in many important programs. Please sign if you would like to take part in the 2014 Scholarship or other AEF committee. (Please indicate your committee of choice. Committees can be found on the website.)

PACKAGE CHECK LIST 1. Mail FOUR (4) copies of the following items, not stapled Application Form Essay Two (2) letters of reference CV Proof of Citizenship (photocopies of original document) Survey Scholarship Committee application

All FOUR (4) copies of the application package MUST be sent by mail, with a covering letter to Sonia Dantu, Executive Director of the AEF. 2. EMAIL the following to execdir@albertaequestrian.com Short Biography and images. Please use 2014 Scholarship in the header. You must include your full name is in the body of the email. Please name photos: last name, first name.jpg. (for example: Doe, John.jpg. If more than one image, Doe, John1.jpg) If you have any questions, please contact the Executive Director of AEF. Please mail and email in confidence to: Sonia Dantu, Executive Director execdir@albertaequestrian.com Alberta Equestrian Federation Suite 100, 251 Midpark Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2X 1S3 DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT, THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH YEAR IN APRIL FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2014 Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.

AEF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Please PRINT clearly. Provide FOUR (4) copies of ALL materials, not stapled.

Name (Last Name) Address (First Name)

City

Prov

PC

Country

Phone Proof of Citizenship Included Name Educational Institute Address

Email AEF Number

City Student ID Number Program Applied for

Prov

PC

Country

School Year

I hereby acknowledge that all the information supplied is correct (applicant): Print Name Date Name and signature of Parent or Guardian required if under 18 years of age on application: Print Name Date Signature Signature