Jacee Barr is the 2026 E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship recipient.
Philip Knierieme is the 2026 Dr. Robert Hunt Equine Surgery Scholarship recipient.
The 2026 E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship recipient is Jacee Barr, from Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. The recipient of the Dr. Robert Hunt Equine Surgery Scholarship, which is part of the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program, is Philip Knierieme from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Each of these scholarship recipients will be awarded $5,000 by The Foundation for the Horse. These awards will be formally presented during the 72nd Annual AAEP Convention in Las Vegas on December 8, 2026. The award is one of 30 scholarships totaling $625,000 from The Foundation for the Horse in 2026.
Managed through The Foundation for the Horse, the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program was endowed in 2023 to reward veterinary students who demonstrate academic excellence, active participation in their student AAEP chapter, and dedicated efforts toward innovation in equine practice. However, this year is the first year awarding the Dr. Robert Hunt Equine Surgery Scholarship.
This new scholarship honors Dr. Robert Hunt, a celebrated equine surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute until his passing in 2025. Dr. Hunt was widely regarded as one of the country’s finest veterinarians, treating top racehorses and stallions like Unbridled, Uncle Mo, and Arrogate. A 1984 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, he was known for his expertise in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, lameness, and equine podiatry.
Barr wants to provide quality equine medicine in a rural area that does not have access to general practitioners with extensive equine knowledge. This would include providing reproduction, basic sports medicine, and routine general practitioner services.
“I know that the normal route that equine practitioners take is to practice only equine medicine, but I hope to integrate high-quality equine medicine into a rural mixed practice,” said Barr. “I want to serve the needs of the community while providing equine care that previously was unattainable.”
After graduating veterinary school, Knierieme plans to complete a post-graduate rotating internship at a high-caseload equine practice with strong mentorship, followed by a university-based surgical internship to build clinical experience and professional connections. His ultimate goal is to obtain and complete a large animal surgical residency, become board-certified, and build a career as an equine surgeon specializing in sports medicine and surgery.
In 2026, in honor of its 150th anniversary, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute launched a campaign to raise additional funds to support the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program and its endowment. To learn more, visit hagyard150th.com/scholarship/.
For more information about this program and other scholarships offered through The Foundation for the Horse, visit foundationforthehorse.org/impact/student-education.
About The Foundation for the Horse
Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to transforming the lives of horses through education, research, and help for horses at risk. As the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), it is governed by world-renowned equine veterinarians. The Foundation annually awards over $1 million in scholarships, grants, and programming support worldwide. Learn more at FoundationForTheHorse.org.
