Editor’s Note: Today, Jumper Nation is focusing entirely on #GivingTuesday, a global movement to remember after a weekend of shopping and splurging to give back to those organizations who are having a huge impact on their respective communities. We’ll be sharing stories and letters from organizations who directly impact the equestrian community, and we encourage you to give back what you can. Thank you!
Chrissie Kay Kausrud was an avid horsewoman, a passionate and ambitious young adult, and a dear friend and daughter whose life was cut short earlier this year. There is absolutely no balm for the wound of losing such a marvelous soul, but those who loved her chose to selflessly remember her by giving back.
Chrissie graduated from the University of Findlay in Ohio where she received her dual degrees in English Equestrian Studies and Finance, as well as a minor in Business Administration. She made some of her dearest friends while at the school, many of whom shared her passion for horses.
Her final job was working for Donald Cheska as an assistant horse trainer and she was truly fulfilling her dreams. Now, her loved ones want to pass her dreams on to other young equestrians with big ideas of their own.
“Friends and family of Chrissie Kausrud established the Christin Kay “Chrissie” Kausrun Memorial English Equestrian Scholarship Endowment Fund at the University of Findlay. A native of Kalamazoo, MI, Chrissie graduated from the University of Findlay in 2013. Chrissie was working as an assistant horse trainer when she passed away in 2017. This scholarship is awarded to an equestrian student with preference given to an English hunter/jumper student. Preference shall also be given to a student seeking a second major within the College of Business. The recipient must be in their junior or senior year of study and have a 3.2 GPA or higher.”
If you would like to contribute to this scholarship fund, visit findlay.edu/offices/advancement/give and under “Designation”, select “Other” and type in “Christin Kay “Chrissie” Kausrud endowment fund”.
Nothing is more inspiring than seeing a community band together and do good in honor of a loved one, and this is a great chance for us all to show our support and our belief in the generation to come.
Go Chrissie, and Go Jumping.