PTHA Charities, Inc

Scholarship Program “The Granny Fund”

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association established The Granny Fund in March 2000 as a memorial to Catherine “Granny” Youmans, the mother of longtime PTHA Secretary, Connie Youmans. Granny, as everyone at the track knew her, was a fixture on the backstretch at picnics, banquets, ball games, etc. Throughout her life, she talked to people about getting, continuing, and using their education to better themselves and their families. Granny was adamant about people bettering themselves through education, hard-work, and life experiences and relationships.

On February 22, 2000, we lost Catherine “Granny” Youmans; there could not have been a better memorial established than a scholarship fund in her name to aid stable employees and their dependents within the PTHA and Parx community.

In years past, people have made various donations to The Granny Fund, some when they hit a winning daily double or crossed the line first in a race here at Parx, others to commemorate a loved one’s passing, and some “just because”. The fund has been used to help many young, and not-so-young, stable employees continue their education in college and night classes for the betterment of our entire community here.

We look forward to many PTHA Charity and Granny Fund events throughout 2024 and many years beyond. Thank you in advance for your steadfast commitment to our mission.

2024 Guidelines

To be eligible for scholarship money, you must be licensed at Parx as a:

• Stable Employee
• Assistant Trainer

OR Via Dependents of:

• Stable Employee
• Assistant Trainer
• Trainer
• Owner
• Jockey
• Jockey Agent

All PTHA employees are eligible for scholarship money. All dependents of PTHA employees are eligible.

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New applicants are required to submit the following:

1. One letter of recommendation signed and sealed.
2. Sealed official high school and/or college transcripts
3. Completed application form
4. When a scholarship is granted and received, the applicant is responsible for providing PTHA with the student ID# and college information, and details for the recipient.

Returning applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Sealed copy of official college transcripts
2. Completed attached application form
3. When a scholarship is granted and received, the applicant is responsible for providing PTHA with the student ID# and college information, and details for the recipient.

Applications must be received in the PTHA office no later than May 31, 2024, for the current year.  

The awards for the scholarships will be announced no later than June 16, 2024, with winner circle presentations on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024 during live racing at Parx.

All entries will be evaluated by the PTHA Scholarship Committee. Scholarships will be awarded based on committee discretion, with a preference for those seeking a career in racing or a position that could be beneficial to the industry.

Scholarship Application for school year of 2024 – Final Application