LQHBA To Offer Scholarship Drawings July 9th at Delta Downs

ALEXANDRIA, LA—JUNE 16, 2016—The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) will make several charitable donations on Saturday, July 9 at Delta Downs. The well-attended event is the final night of the 2016 Quarter Horse racing season and will include several quality stakes, including the $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) and the $244,430 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3).

Through the generous support of sponsors Delta Equine Center; Grant Farms LLC; Heza Fast Dash; Jumonville Farms and StallioneSearch.com there will be a $5,000 donation presentation to Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) in the winner’s circle that evening.

The chapter, formed in 1968, is a state wide not-for-profit 501©3 organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Louisiana provides sports training and athletic competitions and transform lives through the joy of sport. Currently, 14,639 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Louisiana participate in over approximately 100 competitions.

In addition, two $1,000 college scholarship drawings will be awarded as part of the very special evening saluting accredited Louisiana-bred racehorses. Louisiana High School Graduates planning to attend a higher education institution in the calendar year of 2016 can sign up at the LQHBA Scholarship Registration Table (located at the foot of the escalator on the casino level), beginning at 5:00 pm. Registration will close after the running of the second race. The scholarships will be drawn live in the winner’s circle immediately after the third race and entrants must be present to win. More information on the scholarship eligibility can be found on LQHBA.com.

LQHBA board members, local legislators and dignitaries will be at Delta Downs for each of the presentations.

While the primary goals of the LQHBA is to promote breeding and racing in the state, the association remains dedicated to offering higher education for Louisiana youth. Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has earmarked over $430.000 for Louisiana students to attend a higher education institution.

The scholarship program was the vision of the late Jim Mitchell and Executive Director Emeritus Leverne Perry, and is supported strongly by the LQHBA and its board members. Last November, on LQHBA Breeders Futurity Night at Evangeline Downs, live scholarship drawings took place in between races, and Louisiana students and their families enjoyed the million dollar futurity and four drawings for scholarship awards of $1,500. One very fortunate student, Cassie Babin was the recipient of a $5,000 drawing.

"Giving back to Louisiana charities and supporting our scholarship program is extremely important to our association and we thank our sponsors for their continued support," said Tony Patterson, LQHBA executive director. "We look forward to an exceptional evening of racing at Delta Downs on July 9 and to saluting Louisiana students and the great work of Special Olympics Louisiana."

For more information on the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association, visit their website at LQHBA.com or contact them at (318) 487-9506.