Lesson Horse Grants Awarded
ESC Foundation received over two dozen applications for our Lesson Horse Grant. Topping the list were two emerging stables that will each receive a sponsored lesson horse to add to their growing programs.
Mallory Giebink of DeVote Performance Horses in Winston Salem, NC has been teaching for 15 years, and her current program has been in operation about 5 years. What started as a small 5 stall barn with 3-4 lessons a week after her regular 9-5 job, has grown to a full time job teaching 35 lesson a week, with the new addition of a covered riding arena. Mallory recently retired her beginner horse and needed to replace him so that she can continue to introduce saddle seat to new riders.
Mary Lynn Foster of Trinity Farm in Clayton, Indiana has been in business for 20 years and, together with a part time assistant instructor, they teach 40 lessons a week. She recently lost her “very beginner” lesson horse and needed another one to teach “the littles.” Trinity Farms has an active Youth Program and an all saddle seat drill team. The stable hosts and supports local tournaments, attends regular performance shows in Indiana and Kentucky, and even made the trip to Monarch National Championship in 2025.
The horses to fill these vacancies will be sourced by the Instructors from approved rescue organizations and the adoption and transportation fees paid by Equine Sports Council Foundation. ESCF is the educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of ESC. The ESC Foundation’s mission is to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the trotting breed show horse industry. The Foundation is funded by donations from ESC Corporation and private individuals.
“If supporting grassroots lesson programs AND rescue organizations is something near and dear to your heart, please contact us about how you can help sponsor additional lesson horses,” said Jackie Hale. “We received many more qualified, growing programs that need assistance and I wish we could grant a dozen horses.” If you are interested in being a co-sponsor with naming rights for this program, call 1-855-Equine1 (855-378-4631) or email info@equinesportscouncil.org.
