A Total of $25,000 LQHBA Scholarships Awarded on LQHBA Louisiana Million Night at Evangeline Downs

$5,000 Winners Drawing:  (left to right): Kirt Chaisson, D. Michael Hayes, Brandon Trahan, Carter Zerangue, Candice Greene, Martha Claussen, Bruce Salard, Tim Rogers, Richard Ortego.

© Susan Bachelor / Speedhorse Magazine

ALEXANDRIA, LA–DECEMBER 20, 2023–The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) awarded two $5,000 scholarships and six additional $2,500 scholarships to further the education of Louisiana students on Saturday, December 16 at Evangeline Downs.

The exciting 2023 year-ending event featured seven quality stakes, highlighted a victory by Special Wild Train B in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1).

Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director, announced that the association had increased the scholarship donations this year to a record $25,000. Despite the rainy conditions in the area throughout the day, the turnout by students and their families was very strong.

"The LQHBA Scholarship Fund is an important program for our association," said Salard.  "There is a rich tradition of family involvement in Louisiana Quarter Horse breeding and racing. To see young people enjoy a night of the best racing in the country and support their goals of furthering their education is extremely rewarding."

Brandon Trahan, Ellie LeBlanc, D. Michael Hayes, Kullen Stelly, Gabe Doucet, Tim Rogers and  Bruce Salard.
 © Susan Bachelor / Speedhorse Magazine

Salard and LQHBA board members assisted with the drawings enabling eight students to further their education. Candice Greene and Carter Zerangue were the winners of the $5,000 scholarships.

Greene,17, is in her senior year at Opelousas Catholic School and will study nursing at Dillard University.

"To me and my family, winning the $5,000 means a lot because I chose to go to a private college which costs more than some public colleges," explained Greene. "We are so grateful and glad to have some money go towards my tuition!"

Zerangue, also from Opelousas, was thrilled when his name was called!

Kirt Chaisson, Brandon Trahan, D. Michael Hayes, Lauren McFadden, Karen Darling Falgoust, Tobie Landry, Bruce Salard, Kinsley Seneca, Richard Ortego, and Tim Rogers.
 © Susan Bachelor / Speedhorse Magazine

"To watch such great races and have my name drawn for the scholarship was amazing," he said. "My goal is to attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist, so I have 12 years to go! This helps so much."

Six additional students, Ellie LeBlanc, Kullen Stelly, Gabe Doucet, Lauren McFadden,  Tobie Landry and Kinsley Seneca, were also $2,500 scholarship recipients.

The LQHBA Scholarship Fund was the vision of the late Jim Mitchell and Executive Director Emeritus Leverne Perry and continues to be supported strongly by the LQHBA. Over $800,000 has been earmarked for this program since its inception in 2001.

Louisiana Stallion Farms generously offer a stallion service to provide the primary funding for the Scholarship program. For more information on the Stallion Auction and the LQHBA Scholarship Program, visit LQHBA.com or follow the  LQHBA Facebook page.