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Zhane Grey, 13, of Hayward, cleanes the hooves of Amber, an Arabian horse, at the Hayward Hills Equestrian Center in Hayward, Calif. Tues. July 8, 2008. Amber is one of the horses used for horseback riding classes for low-income students from Castro Valley, Hayward and San Leandro who have been awarded horseback riding scholarships by the Riders Foundation. (Bea Ahbeck/The Argus)

Hayward

AMBER, an Arabian horse, settles in after being taken out of a stable to be groomed Tuesday at the Hayward Hills Equestrian Center. Her eyes close with each careful stroke of a brush handled by Zhane' Gray.

After about 15 minutes of grooming the horse, Zhane', 13, kisses Amber on the forehead.

"Taking care of horses has taught me a lot about responsibility," said Zhane', who'll be a freshman this fall at Impact Academy in Hayward. Her love for horses and animals has her aspiring to become a veterinarian, she said.

Zhane' is one of four low-income students who have received horseback-riding scholarships this summer from the Oakland-based Rides Foundation, founded in 2005 and directed by former state Assemblywoman Audie Bock. On Tuesday, the students started a 12-week program that involves one 90-minute session each week.

"Horseback riding has really become a pursuit for the wealthy these days," Bock said. "Low-income areas have now become a trap for these kids, and we wanted to provide access to them to develop these relationships with animals."

Students will learn equestrianism, how to prepare horses for riding, caring for the animals and safety practices, said Joellen Oslund, resident instructor at the Equestrian Center.

Annemarie Lan Ross, 11, of San Leandro also received a scholarship. The Bancroft Middle School student said she loves horses

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and wants to learn horse jumping.

This summer marks the second scholarship for Castro Valley resident Lisa Ann Keebler, 11, who attends Creekside Middle School.

"I've always had a love for horses and enjoy developing a relationship with them," Lisa Ann said. "Lessons and owning a horse is expensive. When I heard about the scholarship, I knew I had to do this."

The fourth scholarship recipient was Sarah-Jean Thompson of San Leandro, who was unable to attend the first session.

The program has granted scholarships to 13 students since 2005. To qualify, students must be between ages 7 and 17, submit an essay discussing their interest in horseback riding and provide a recommendation from a teacher or principal. Financial need also factors into the selection, officials said.

For more information on The Rides Foundation or to obtain a scholarship application, e-mail Audie Bock at audie@ridesfoundation.org.