Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian congratulates the five recipients of the 2025 USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded each year to incoming first-year college students to support their continuing involvement in horse sports.

Meet the 2025 USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship Recipients

Annie Kimball
Milton, Ga.

Annie Kimball has been riding and competing in the hunter and equitation arenas since she was very young. An all-around horsewoman, Kimball’s family keeps horses at their home farm where she is responsible for their daily care and well-being. She competes at Georgia Hunter Jumper Association shows as well as through the Interscholastic Equestrian Association and also served as the captain of her IEA team. In the fall, Kimball will join the NCEA Equestrian Team at Texas Christian University where she plans to continue her equestrian passion and her academic interests as a math and business major.

“My involvement in equestrian sport doesn’t end with college,” said Kimball. “Looking forward, I see a future where horses remain central to my life. I plan to use my business degree to explore roles in the equestrian world. Whether I work professionally in the horse world or ride recreationally while building a career elsewhere, the lessons I’ve learned in the barn will continue to guide me.”

Lauren Reynolds
Bloomington, Ind.

Lauren Reynolds entered the world of interscholastic equestrian competition when she joined an IEA team at age 11. Outside of IEA, she has worked her way up in the sport of eventing, culminating in a top ten finish at the American Eventing Championships in 2024. In addition to devoting much of her time to lessons, barn work, and horse care, she has served as a volunteer at local horse shows, learning the skills to successfully run many aspects of a competition. Reynolds will continue her involvement as part of the dressage and eventing teams at California Polytechnic State University where she will begin work on her biology degree in the fall.

“Ultimately, the lessons I’ve learned through horses are lifelong,” said Reynolds. “They’ve taught me to be humble when things don’t go as planned, to push forward when conditions aren’t ideal, and to celebrate progress in all its forms. Whether I’m walking into a biology lab or a show ring, I bring the same mindset: show up prepared, work hard, and treat everyone—two-legged or four-legged—with respect.”

Sadie Swift
Lexington, Md.

Sadie Swift’s first foray into equestrian sports was a one-week horse camp when she was 8 years old. That quickly turned into weekly lessons, then barn work in exchange for additional riding time, and eventually assisting with beginner riders in the lesson program as they learned horsemanship skills. Swift’s next step will take her to Sweet Briar College, where she will ride on the intercollegiate equestrian team while pursuing an Equine Studies certificate with a concentration in Teaching and Schooling. She looks to pursue a career with the U.S. Navy after graduation and plans to keep equestrian sports as part of her life.

“The equestrian sport teaches many life lessons. It is amazing to me that everyone learns in different ways, but if you are willing to have an open mind, horses and equestrian sports can teach so many things,” said Swift. “I have personally learned so many skills—perseverance, patience, responsibility, a strong work ethic, and perceptiveness, to name a few. I find great satisfaction in applying these skills back into the equine industry.”

Natalie Koch
Canal Fulton, Ohio

Natalie Koch started riding with her mom when she was just three years old. Her entrance into formal equestrian education was through the United States Pony Clubs, which continues to be part of her life today. In addition to achieving her HB and C2 eventing ratings through the Bath Pony Club, she also competes in eventing with her Mustang, Captain Jack Sparrow. “Sparrow” introduced her to the plight of America’s wild horses, which has become a passion for Koch. Her AP research paper, “Domesticated Mustang Horses: Comparative Health and Physical Characteristics Analysis” earned a 5, the highest possible score, from the College Board.

“I am an incoming freshman at the University of Kentucky, where I will be majoring in Equine Science and Management as well as Business Management with a minor in International Business,” said Koch. “Through these degrees, I am pursuing a career in the business field that integrates my passion for horses. My experience with Mustangs and research has also made me want to work towards Mustang advocacy in my future. Through learning more about the equine industry at the University of Kentucky, I hope to find what specifically excites me and how I can contribute more to the equine industry after my graduation.”

Camille Panuwat
Walnut Creek, Calif.

Camille Panuwat credits her younger brother, Sawyer, with her introduction to horses. Sawyer was born with severe autism and requires round-the-clock care, and the family moved to the country to provide a peaceful, supportive setting to raise him. Panuwat’s early equine encounters were with her neighbor’s horse, Chubby.

“Growing up with a sibling with special needs had instilled in me a strong work ethic and a desire to help others, and my neighbors recognized this,” she said. “Before long, I was working with multiple trainers across disciplines—from western to hunter/jumper to dressage—absorbing everything I could. These early experiences deepened my appreciation for horses and reinforced my determination to keep learning and growing.”

Panuwat’s involvement extended to IEA competition and eventually founding the Equestrian Club at her high school. The club partnered with local nonprofits focused on horse rescue and equine-assisted therapy, and Panuwat earned a President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Biden for her work. In the fall, she will join the NCEA Equestrian Team at the University of Tennessee at Martin. There, she plans to pursue a degree in Political Science with the ultimate goal of becoming an attorney working with special needs individuals and their families.