Three Louisiana Students Were Awarded LQHBA Scholarships On Saturday, March 30 At Louisiana Downs

Three students were awarded $2,000 scholarships durning Mari Gras Futurity day at Louisiana Downs last Saturday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

ALEXANDRIA, LA–APRIL 2, 2024–The final day of the 2024 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse racing season proved to be memorable for both Louisiana-bred Quarter Horses and Louisiana students. Smiles were plentiful on Saturday, March 30 as the Bossier City racetrack hosted the $458,794 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) and $397,702 Louisiana Downs Futurity(G3) for 2-year-olds.

The afternoon also offered the first opportunity of the year for eligible Louisiana students to receive scholarships courtesy of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Scholarship Fund. For the second year in a row, Louisiana Downs generously contributed $3,000 to boost the amount of the three LQHBA Scholarships. Three drawings of $2,000, a total of $6,000 were offered to Louisiana students.

Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director and LQHBA board members assisted with the drawings enabling the following students to further their education in 2023. Winners of $2,000 scholarships were Jackson St. Romaine; Cade Melner and Chloe Johnson.

"We are very grateful to Kevin Preston and his team at Louisiana Downs for their generosity in matching funds for the three scholarships again this year," said Salard. "This program means a great deal to our association and each of three recipients were very appreciative.”

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. Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has provided $865,000 for Louisiana students.

The next LQHBA Scholarship Drawing will take place at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana on Saturday, July 13. For more information on the program, visit LQHBA.com or call the LQHBA office in Alexandria at (318) 487-9506.