From rural roots to equine excellence

K-State veterinary student Amanda Bolinger earns prestigious Coyote Rock Canyon Scholarship

Where Amanda Bolinger grew up, horses remain a way of life and crucial components of the rural community.

In the fourth-year veterinary student's hometown of Beaver, Oklahoma, horses are still used to work cattle, as well as for recreation. That upbringing and familiarity are a big part of why Bolinger decided to devote her future career toward the care of horses.

"Whether work or play, horses are such an important part of so many people's lives," Bolinger said. "I love being able to use my knowledge and skills to help improve their performance and quality of life."

As a veterinary student in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, Bolinger has been honing her knowledge and skills in the care and medical treatment of horses, and her efforts are now being recognized with the Coyote Rock Ranch Scholarship — one of the nation's top scholarships for veterinary students pursuing equine medicine.

“I've had so many amazing opportunities through my short time in this career,” Bolinger said. “Equine veterinary medicine has been the greatest adventure of my life, and I am honored to be able to continue serving horses and their people.”

Amanda Bolinger uses a stethoscope to examine one of K-State’s training horses at K-State’s Equine Performance Testing Center.. | Download this photo.

Penelope Knight, the original owner and founder of Coyote Rock Ranch, created the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship ten years ago. Through collaboration and a shared passion for agriculture and philanthropy with ranch owners Sue and Eric Hagerty, this scholarship program continues to this day. Each scholarship award is for $75,000.

Bolinger is one of only four scholarship recipients selected from 69 distinguished applicants. The three other recipients are veterinary students at Cornell University, Colorado State University and the University of Calgary.

The Foundation for the Horse — a charitable organization based in Lexington, Kentucky, that awards the scholarship on behalf of Coyote Rock Ranch — will present the awards Dec. 7 during the 71st Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, or AAEP, in Denver.

“At Coyote Rock Ranch, quality equine veterinarian medicine lies at the heart of our program,” Knight said. “In helping future veterinarians achieve success, we elevate the entire equine industry and ultimately the welfare of the horse, With the overall aim of supporting education and advancements in care for the horse, we are pleased to offer these scholarship opportunities to the next generation of equine veterinarians.”

Since the award of the first scholarships in 2016, 36 student AAEP members have shared in cumulative proceeds of $2,775,000.

K-State had one of the inaugural scholarship recipients in 2016: Jenni Kristek, who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2017. In 2023, two more K-State veterinary students were chosen: Anne Brien and Bailey Fritz, who both graduated in 2024.

“Amanda, like our college’s previous recipients of the Coyote Rock Ranch Scholarship, exemplifies the equine-specific education and training that reflects the dedication of our faculty, house officers and staff,” said Elizabeth Davis, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Throughout her education, Amanda has distinguished herself as a remarkable student — demonstrating exceptional commitment, professionalism and passion for equine practice. Her future is exceptionally bright, and we look forward to following her continued success.”

Bolinger intends to become a surgeon in equine veterinary medicine and dedicate the first five years after graduation to internships and residency. She has accepted an equine internship at the Texas Equine Hospital in Bryan, Texas.

“This scholarship will help me prioritize programs that are aligned with my future goals," Bolinger said. "I’m seeking busy caseloads so I can get plenty of hands-on experience in order to become a proficient practitioner and equine surgeon.”

Applicants for the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship must be on track to graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, (or equivalent, within the award year. They must be a national AAEP student member who is active within their school’s AAEP chapter, and each must be currently enrolled and in good standing at an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, Caribbean and Europe.

Coyote Rock Ranch, owned by Knight and located in the beautiful high desert country of Central Oregon, is a breeding operation for high-end cutting horses. Committed to quality in everything they do, Coyote Rock Ranch has a reputation for breeding and raising well-bred quarter horses with the pedigree and care to become tomorrow’s champions.

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