United States Eventing Association

2013 Worth The Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship Winner: Carla VanEffen

My name is Carla VanEffen. I am 45 years old, wife and mother of two, and I am applying for the Worth The Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship. The definition of trust is “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” This describes the relationship I have with my 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Remastered or “Remy,” my equine partner for the last two years. This paper will detail the four reasons that I think Remy and I are excellent candidates for this scholarship.

First, is the financial need. As a Special Education teacher of the severely and profoundly disabled for Douglas County School System in Georgia, my financial prospects are bleak. In Georgia, teachers have not received raises in the past 10 years and we struggle with pay cuts, furlough days, and inflation. It is a daily struggle that is currently helped by two extra jobs, which are waitressing and tutoring. These extra jobs enable me to continue to own Remy and my daughter’s rescue pony. As a working-class adult mom and rider, luxuries are far and few between. In order for me or my daughter to attend a clinic or lesson I have to carefully budget and work extra to pay for the cost. Often my daughter wins over me.

My horse and I would benefit greatly from this scholarship because it would give me financial freedom and would also provide the luxury of more time to attend clinics and lessons. This time would be utilized by attending these lessons and clinics and would put me on the path of obtaining my ultimate dream of competing at Training level. A dream we can achieve enthusiastically and safely with guided instruction.

The second reason is commitment. Not only am I committed to becoming the best rider possible but I am a hard worker and a fast learner. I have achieved a great deal in the past two years with Remy. Not only did I break Remy to ride, but I have successfully competed with him at the Beginner Novice level. This feat was achieved by trust, hard work, team work, and perseverance. Moreover, our commitment, ability, and trust in one another enabled us to place ninth at the USEA American Eventing Championships against many talented and seasoned horses and riders. The USEA American Eventing Championships was only our fourth recognized horse competition.

Third is the community involvement in my local horse world. Currently, I am the liaison for LOL which is the name for Horsemasters group for the Pine Trace Pony Club. This is an affiliation of our pony club geared toward adults whose priorities are safety and who want to continue their “horse education.” I am an active volunteer at local USEA events including Chattahoochee Hills. I am also a Pony Club mom for my youngest daughter. In addition to my commitments to the Pony Club, my husband, two daughters, and I are active volunteers in our local chapter of 4-H and 4-H Horse club.

My fourth reason is determination. Why determination? I am determined that if I am granted this scholarship I will be frugal and wise in applying the funds to obtain the best from the best. I will attend clinics when possible with the great “old timers” such as Phillip Dutton and Jim Wofford but also the new upcoming riders and trainers such as Buck Davidson and Boyd Martin. I will diligently take lessons with instructors who are on the USEF Active Competitors’ List or those at Level II or higher as USEA ICP Certified Instructors. These instructors include but are not limited Becky Holder, Kim Severson, Kyle Carter, and Julie Richards.

Financial needs, community involvement, determination, and commitment are the four reasons I feel I am worthy of the Worth The Trust Scholarship. I feel I have all the qualities that the USEA and the committee look for in their candidates. I am committed to use the funds wisely and within the given parameters of the scholarship. I promise to keep a log of all my lessons and clinics and will enthusiastically write what I learned from each instructor. If granted this honor, I know I have the character and work ethic expected of an awardee of the Worth The Trust Scholarship.

Interested in submitting an application for the Worth The Trust Educational or Sports Psychology Scholarships? Applications are due on October 1, 2018. Click here for more information on the Educational Scholarships. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Knight, (703) 669-9997.

2019 Worth the Trust Educational Scholarship Applications: Young Adult Amateur | Adult Amateur

2019 Worth the Trust Sports Psychology Scholarship Applications: Young Adult Amateur | Adult Amateur

About the Worth the Trust Scholarship
Since 2000, the Worth the Trust Scholarships has provided financial assistance for young adult amateurs and adult amateurs for the purpose of pursuing continued education in eventing. These scholarships is provided by Joan Iversen Goswell in honor of her horse, Worth the Trust, a 15.3 hand Thoroughbred gelding (Wind and Wuthering x Stop Over Station), who competed successfully for many years, including winning the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1997 with Karen O'Connor. In 2017, to continue to offer a helping hand, Goswell created the Worth the Trust Sports Psychology Scholarships to help amateurs master the ever-challenging mental side of the sport. Click here to read the story of Worth the Trust's 1997 Kentucky Three-Day Event win.

This article first appeared in Volume 43, Issue 1 of Eventing USA.