One of the Sunshine Coast’s best young equestrians has been awarded a new scholarship to support her elite sporting endeavours while completing a double degree at USC.

Jordan Jolly, 22, recently received the $5,000 Nambour RSL Club Elite Athlete Scholarship, to assist her during her final year of a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies.

Graduating from Suncoast Christian College in 2014, Jordan was originally accepted into USC’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science but decided to take a gap year.

“During that time, I was offered a position as a coach at my old school and I fell in love with working with kids and helping them develop their sporting skills,” Jordan said.

“That’s when I decided I wanted to pursue a career in physical education.”

It’s a perfect fit for the elite horse rider from Chevallum, who is part of USC’s High Performance Student Athlete program and first started riding when she was just five years old.

Now competing in the highly technical equestrian discipline of dressage with her horse Arnage Red Caviar, Jordan was last year named as the Queensland State Youth Novice and Elementary Champion as well as the Australian Adult Amateur Owner Rider (AAOR) Novice Tournament Champion.

“I’m preparing to compete at these events again this year, so financial support from the Nambour RSL will be of great assistance as I again juggle the expectations of my sport while studying for a double degree,” Jordan said.

“Equestrian isn't a sport where you just train for a few hours each day. It requires 24/7 management of the health and fitness of two athletes – and let me tell you, the four-legged one is more high maintenance!

“With this amazing scholarship it will help with the competition entry costs, travel costs to and from competitions as well as day-to-day coaching and training and for that I am very grateful.”

USC Donor Programs Manager Greg Bradley said scholarships provided by community organisations and individuals were a welcome support for USC students.

“Scholarships can focus on a variety of areas including financial need, academic excellence or promoting high achievement in sport and music,” Mr Bradley said.

“The ripple effect of education in our community should never be underestimated and providing a scholarship can make all the difference for some students who then go on to give back in so many ways.”

Anyone interested in learning more about supporting a scholarship or bursary at USC should contact the USC Development Office on 07 5430 1104 or email development@usc.edu.au

- Megan Woodward