“The Kiser” as it is known, is awarded to a junior participant in the Governor’s Cup Series junior races in recognition of his or her race record, horsemanship, sportsmanship, talent and dedication to the sports of steeplechase racing and foxhunting. Voted on by the Maryland Steeplechase Association board, the award is given in the memory of the late jump jockey Jonathan Kiser, a two-time National Steeplechase Association champion jockey who got his start in Maryland under the training of the late Tom Voss.
Scholarship winners are awarded admission to the U.S. Pony Racing Steeplechase camp and a week as a working student for an NSA licensed trainer. The Kiser scholarship is a true honor among Maryland junior race riders with many juniors going on to race as adults both on flat tracks and over timber and hurdles.
