LQHBA to Offer Scholarship Drawings On July 7 at Delta Downs, Two $1,500 Scholarships to be Awarded

ALEXANDRIA, LA—JUNE 19, 2018—The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) will award two $1,500 scholarships to further the education of Louisiana students on Saturday, July 7 at Delta Downs. The final night of the 2018 Quarter Horse racing season will feature several quality stakes, including the $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) and the $268,655 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3).

Through the generous support of sponsors Jet Black Patriot and Robicheaux Ranch, Inc., two $1,500 scholarship drawings will be awarded as part of the very special evening saluting accredited Louisiana-bred racehorses.

Scholarship entrants must be a Louisiana High School graduate or a Louisiana High School student graduating in 2019 planning to attend a higher education institution. Those eligible may sign up at the LQHBA Scholarship Registration Table (located at the foot of the escalator on the casino level), beginning at 5:30 pm.

Registration will close at 7:30 pm and scholarships will be drawn live in the winner's circle by LQHBA board members, local legislators and dignitaries. Students must be present to win. More information on the scholarship eligibility can be found on LQHBA.com.

While the primary goal of the LQHBA is to promote breeding and racing in the state, the association remains dedicated to furthering higher education for Louisiana youth.

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 December, on LQHBA Louisiana Million Night at Evangeline Downs, live scholarship drawings took place in between races, with Louisiana Senator Gerald Boudreaux assisting with the presentations.

Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has earmarked over $500,000 for Louisiana students to attend a higher education institution. Patti Thompson of Springfield, Louisiana, shares the impact on her life by winning the scholarship.

"The night I won the scholarship, I was in total disbelief," recalled Thompson. "I attend Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) and major in biology with the goal of getting my DVM. Earning the scholarship was something I never imagined! It truly was a blessing and I'm very grateful to all the people that, year after year, donate to the LQHBA scholarship fund. It really does help make dreams come true."

Pairing the LQHBA Scholarship drawings at Louisiana's major Quarter Horse racing events continues to be a success for the organization.

"Education is a high priority to our association and we look forward to awarding two more scholarships to deserving Louisiana students" said Tony Patterson, LQHBA executive director. "Having students and their families enjoy the major racing championships works very well. We thank our sponsors for their continued support and look forward to a tremendous evening of stakes action and festivities at Delta Downs on July 7."

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