Jaakkola Wins AMHA Young Adult Alliance Scholarship

The American Morgan Horse Association Young Adult Alliance (YAA) presented their fifth annual Judging School Scholarship to Bobbie Jo Jaakkola of Northwell, Michigan. The Professional Development Project created by this passionate group awards a $1,500 scholarship to one individual aged 21-40, professional or amateur, who is interested in attaining their Morgan R judging card.

“This scholarship was established to encourage young adults to join the Morgan judging pool, we see it as a way to remove the financial barrier that many young adults face in attaining their judging card,” said YAA Co-Chair Steven Handy.

“Our applicants this year were all well qualified and the field was very competitive. The winner, Bobbie Jo Jaakkola, runs a successful training facility in Michigan where she introduces countless riders to the Morgan Horse. She has served as a 4H judge and open horse show judge for nine years, and is now ready to taken on the challenge and responsibility of becoming a USEF licensed official. She received glowing recommendations from Sandy Sessink and David Earehart. Jaakkola‘s application essay was what stood out the most, however, and illustrated her love of the Morgan Horse, strong character, ethics and sense of professionalism – all qualities that make a sought after judge.”

The American Morgan Horse Association Young Adult Alliance is an organization of 18-40 year old amateurs and professionals working together to strengthen the Morgan breed. Established in 2013, this group was founded to create a platform for young adult members to build relationships, develop professionally, become civically and philanthropically active, and to contribute to the economic success of the Morgan community. If you are interested in becoming a member of the YAA Leadership Council, please submit a brief paragraph outlining your interest and experience to Katie@MorganHorse.com by April 15th.

The application period for the next YAA Judging School Scholarship will be released in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be awarded in early 2019. To learn more about the Young Adult Alliance visit http://www.morganhorse.com/yaa/.