About the Messineo Makeover Scholarship:
The Messineo Makeover Scholarship is a $10,000 annual fund created to help CARMA Placement Program graduates participate in the Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky. Made possible by a generous legacy gift from Nancy Messineo, this scholarship aims to level the playing field for West Coast competitors by offsetting the high costs of travel and training.
Note: The $10,000 fund is intended to be awarded to multiple applicants. Individual scholarship amounts will vary based on need.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be attending the Thoroughbred Makeover with a CARMA Placement Program graduate*
- Must reside or operate on the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho)
- Must be willing to provide CARMA with at least three content updates (including images/videos and captions) to be used for social media and marketing purposes before and during the event
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: May 1st 2025
- Applications Close: June 30th 2025
- Recipients Announced: August 1st 2025
Scholarship Policy and Guidelines
Funding Use:
- Transportation (horse and/or human)
- Lodging and stabling
Payment Disbursement:
- Funds will be distributed on September 24th, 2025 via check
Content Requirements:
Recipients must submit at least:
- One pre-event update (during training)
- One travel/prep update (en route to Kentucky)
- One on-site update (during the Makeover)
Each update must include:
- 3-5 High Quality Photos (photos taken from your phone are fine, just ensure they are adequate resolution, not blurry or pixelated, and try to get a pleasing shot that will look nice on social) Example: Example
- 1 Short Video (30-60 Seconds) Videos can be complications, or a single video Example 1 Example 2
- A written update (100-200 words)
CARMA reserves the right to edit and use all submitted content for promotional purposes.
Withdrawals or Cancellations:
If a recipient is unable to participate in the Thoroughbred Makeover due to injury (horse or rider) or other extenuating circumstances:
- They must notify CARMA immediately.
- Unused funds must be returned unless waived in writing.
- CARMA may reallocate funds to a waitlisted applicant or retain them for future disbursement.
Additional Notes:
Recipients are expected to represent CARMA positively and must portray a positive outlook on thoroughbred aftercare and the racing industry in any media provided to CARMA, or posted to personal channels in relation to this scholarship. Any misuse of funds or breach of agreement may result in disqualification from future CARMA grants or programs.
*CARMA Placement Program Graduate:
A CARMA Placement Program Graduate is a thoroughbred horse who was received into the CARMA Placement Program from their racing connections, was rehabilitated, and then placed with an aftercare organization or directly to an individual. If you are not sure if your horse is a CARMA Placement Program Graduate, please contact us for verification.