The Viniar-Conway Scholarship Fund

Pony Power is proud to offer need-based financial aid to a limited number of families, schools and agencies.

The Viniar-Conway Scholarship Fund was created to support those who have demonstrated an inability to pay the full fee for therapeutic riding or other horse-assisted programs.

Our first scholarship fund was named in memory of Leo “Vinny” Viniar, whose family are longtime supporters of our programming. Vinny came to appreciate Pony Power’s mission when his daughter-in-law Susan relayed stories from her time at the farm first as a volunteer and later as Board Chair. In fact, Vinny has a namesake at the farm: a Norwegian Fjord purchased for Pony Power by Susan and her husband David to celebrate Vinny’s 90th birthday.

Upon his passing in 2015, the family requested that donations be made to Pony Power in Vinny's memory, and the response was remarkable. We have since received gifts in memory of David’s mother Evelyn and Susan’s parents Rita and Ned, inspiring us to rename the fund in 2020 to the Viniar-Conway Scholarship Fund. 

The fund continues to grow and make Pony Power’s programming available to individuals who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

Registration is now open for the winter semester. Please note that scholarship applications must be submitted during open registration periods only, and at the same time as the program registration form.

Scholarship applications must be submitted with: 

  • Most recent tax return (1040 and W-2) copy

  • Two most recent pay stubs or unemployment stubs

  • Current lease agreement or mortgage statement and property tax bill

  • Copy of utility bills from previous month (phone, gas and electric)

  • Child support documentation

  • Documentation that you/your family receive government assistance such as TANF, WIC, SSI, disability, housing assistance, etc.

“He was a very kind and gentle man, and when people met him, they instantly liked him. Everything about him was kind and generous.”

David Viniar, Vinny's son