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Incoming Penn State sophomore dreams of putting her education to work for the industry
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Lizzy Traband is the recipient of the 2017 USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education. Photo courtesy of Lizzy Traband.
Lexington, Ky. – Following a tremendous number of applications for the USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education, the USHJA Foundation is pleased to award the $25,000 scholarship to Elizabeth “Lizzy” Traband.
Traband, 18, of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, will be starting her sophomore year at Pennsylvania State University this fall where she rides on the equestrian team and is working toward a business degree in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with a focus in business systems and development, and a minor in Information Technology. She plans to continue her education by pursuing an MBA in international business.
“There are not words to describe how grateful I am to receive this scholarship. This scholarship launches me 10 steps further in the right direction,” said Traband. “Just six years ago USHJA gave me the ‘Making a Dream’ grant which changed my life. Without a doubt I know this scholarship will do the same. I am so excited to see what the future holds, and I can’t wait to make some of these dreams become reality! Huge thank you to the USHJA Foundation, the Hamel Family and everyone who supports the Foundation, thank you so much!”
Lizzie competing Quite High in a Grand Prix just a few weeks ago:
Born into an equine family, Traband grew up on horses and has a diverse background in the industry. She has experience in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, Reining, Natural Horsemanship, as well as equine exhibitions and performing. She has served as a bridleless clinician at expositions in Canada and the U.S., including the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and she’s earned accolades in both the Hunter and Jumper rings, placing among the top 10 at the US Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast and in High Junior Jumper classes. While these accomplishments are remarkable, even more remarkable is that she has accomplished this and more born with only one hand.
“On behalf of the USHJA and our Foundation, I extend sincere congratulations to Lizzy Traband as the inaugural recipient of this scholarship. Her accomplishments and commitment to this sport speak for themselves, and we’re honored to help her reach her goals,” said Mary Babick, president of the USHJA. “We especially thank the Hamel Family for their support of this incredible opportunity, and we wish Lizzy continued success in all of her endeavors.”
Already an accomplished entrepreneur, it is natural for Traband to focus her education on business. In 2009, she started Taiji Horsemanship, which provides online educational tutorials in horsemanship. Through her other company, EPN Global, Traband plans to launch EPN GoPro, a cloud-based stable management application and EQUINE.Global, an international platform to provide marketing tools to equine professionals and offer a presence for equine charities.
Traband’s commitment to the sport and sportsmanship have been recognized in many ways. She was the recipient of the USHJA Foundation Making a Dream Grant in 2011, 2015 USHJA Nomination for the USEF Youth Sportsman Award, 2015 USEF Reserve Youth Sportsman Award, a USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Finalist in 2012 and 2013, as well as the 2016 US Equestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year Award to name a few.
“It has been our desire to help make college education attainable, specifically for highly motivated and passionate equestrian students. This can be a challenge for many given the daunting financial commitment. We are pleased that our gift has found an extremely worthy recipient in Lizzy Traband. Our family is eager to watch and be a part of Lizzy’s continued journey and the other journeys we will encourage through this scholarship,” wrote the Hamel family upon receiving notification Traband was the recipient.
The USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education is open to current USHJA members who have been members for at least three consecutive years. Applicants must be accepted to a college, graduate, professional, or trade school and be entering the 2017 fall semester as freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, trade or graduate student. They should be ranked in the top 20 percent of their class or have a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from the Kristen and James Hamel Family Foundation.
About the USHJA Foundation
The USHJA Foundation is a supporting organization of the USHJA with the vision that the hunter/jumper community embraces, supports, and protects the people and horses who give their hearts to this sport. The Foundation achieves this vision by: supporting the basic needs of the USHJA members who do not have the financial means to do so themselves following an accident, catastrophe or illness; inspiring USHJA members facing adversity through exceptional experiences; empowering USHJA members to further their education; and preserving and protecting the history and tradition of the hunter/jumper sport. For more information, visit, www.ushjafoundation.org.