Misty Coats, Earl Landry, Bruce Salard, Brandon Trahan, Camille Landry, Amelia Vallette, Robert St. Romain, Briggs Ardoin, Jerome Bellard, Kirt Chaisson and Stephen Deville in the awards presentation.

© Hodges Photography/ Kimmy Burrow

OPELOUSAS, LA–JANUARY 7, 2025–The Louisiana Festival of Racing, highlighted by the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1), took place on Saturday, December 21st, at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana. The winning connections of each championship race were thrilled, as were eight Louisiana students who were recipients of Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Scholarships.

High school graduates and seniors graduating in 2025 seeking to further their education were undeterred by the chilly temperatures as they enjoyed the races and eagerly awaited the drawings conducted by Bruce Salard, LQHBA Executive Director, Misty Coats, LQHBA Assistant Director, Kirt Chaisson, LQHBA Board President and several LQHBA board of directors.

Ella Martin ($5,000), Kelsi Miller ($5,000), Hannah LeBlance ($2,500) and Jack Price ($2,500) accept their LQHBA Scholarship Awards on December 21 at Evangeline Downs. © Hodges Photography/Kimmy Burrow

$25,000 was awarded to eligible students on Saturday, December 21st. The following students were winners of the two $5,000 LQHBA Scholarships: Ella Martin, Carencro, Louisiana and Kelsi Miller, Jennings, Louisiana

In addition, these students were winners of the six $2,500 LQHBA Scholarships: Hannah LeBlance, Rayne, Louisiana, Jack Price, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Camille Landry, Alexandria, Louisiana, Amelia Vallette, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Robert St. Romain, Alexandria, Louisiana and Briggs Ardoin, Ville Platte, Louisiana

"It was certainly a very exciting evening, and we were pleased that so many students and their families were at Evangeline Downs for the prestigious night of racing,” said Salard. “Our association takes great pride in supporting education for Louisiana students, and the smiles on the faces of each winner were incredibly rewarding.”

Camille Landry, Amelia Vallette, Robert St. Romain and Briggs Ardoin accept their $2,500 LQHBA Scholarship Awards on December 21 at Evangeline Downs. © Hodges Photography/Kimmy Burrow

Over $850,000 has been earmarked for this program since its inception in 2001. Louisiana Stallion Farms contribute a stallion service to provide the primary funding for the Scholarship program. The LQHBA Stallion Auction is live at www.lqhba.com for mare owners to purchase a 2025 breeding to a Louisiana based stallion.

For more information on the LQHBA Scholarship Program, visit LQHBA.com or follow the  LQHBA Facebook page.

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