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Jerry Circelli, Director of PR & Marketing

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS—American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) member Kristen Geary of Benson, Ariz., is on the fast track for becoming a future leader in the horse industry, with the help of a recent $24,000 college scholarship from the Race for Education Foundation. Geary, a May graduate from Benson High School, in Benson, Ariz., will attend the University of Arizona in Tucson this fall and major in animal sciences with an emphasis on equine science. She is the daughter of Jill Vieu and Jim Geary.

The scholarship, Geary said, would cover all four years of her tuition at the school.

Geary, who graduated with a 4.4 grade-point-average, when advanced placement courses are factored, has been showing American Paint Horses since she was only three years old. She has been an active member of AjPHA for six years.

She credits her grandparents, Tom and Honey Lou Elliott, for arousing her interest in horses at an early age. The couple have been raising, breeding and selling American Paint Horse for 38 years. Tom has been a director of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) for the past 25 years and has served on the association’s Executive Committee. He was president of the 100,000 member organization in 2003 and 2004.

The time Tom and Honey Lou spent exposing their granddaughter to the horse world proved to be a sound investment.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been around horses,” said Geary. “And since I enjoy them so much, I figured I might as well make it my profession.

“I had the benefit of being around my grandparents’ ranch all the time. The breeding aspect of the ranch was always something that had interested me,” said Geary. “Reproduction is my favorite aspect of the industry,” she continued.

“I am interested in the whole process of bringing horses into the world—horses that may be possible world champions and define certain events. To think that I can have a hand in making improvements in the horse industry motivates me.”

Kristen said another big influence on her chosen course of study has been her family’s veterinarian, B.K. Thwaites, DVM, also of Benson, Ariz. Dr. Thwaites, who specializes in equine reproduction, has taken Geary on numerous ranch calls involving artificial insemination and embryo transfers.

“Kristen has been a beam of light,” said Thwaits. “She has always been interested in what I’ve been doing. She has always had a special interest and a special aptitude.

“She is focused,” added Thwaits. “And she’s someone who I know will become a leader in the equine industry.”

The Race for Education Foundation is counting on Geary to be a dynamic force in the horse industry in a big way, as evidenced by the size of the scholarship – one of their largest and most prestigious.

“We are delighted with our choice for the 2006 Ashado Scholarship Award,” said Elisabeth Collier, executive director of the Race for Education. “I am confident that Kristen will become an important member of the equine community.”

The scholarship was named for Ashado, an accomplished Thoroughbred who recently sold for a record $9 million. Her former owners established a four-year scholarship in the champion race mare’s name for a female college student studying equine-related subjects.

“There were so many great candidates to choose from for the Ashado scholarship, it was a very hard decision,” said Paul Saylor. Saylor, Johns Martin, along with Jack and Laurie Wolf of Starlight Stables—all former co-owners of the horse—helped establish the fund.

“After spending time with Kristen,” said Saylor, “we find she has exceeded our expectations on all counts, and we are all excited about our choice for this year’s candidate.”

Kristen’s advice to horse lovers looking toward pursuing equine studies is to search long and hard for scholarships. “They are out there, you just have to keep looking,” she said.

For more information

For information on the “Race for Education” scholarship, visit http://www.racingscholarships.com. Or call The Race For Education at (859) 252-8648.

APHA also awards academic scholarships through its Heritage Foundation. For details, call (817) 834-2742 or visit http://www.apha.com/foundation/scholarships.html.