YOUTH BURSARY PROGRAM

Programs - Coach & Rider

Youth Bursary Program

CLICK HERE for the 2012 Youth Bursary Application

Introducing the 2011 OEF Youth Bursary Recipients

The Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) is proud to offer a minimum of five bursaries of $1,000 to junior members annually to help them achieve their equestrian goals. The recipients are awarded the bursaries based on their current involvement with horses and their future goals, as well as letters of recommendation from their respective coaches. Family resources and academic achievements are also considered. The bursaries can be used towards riding lessons, clinics, competition fees, continuing education or other activities that will assist the recipients in reaching their equestrian objectives in 2011. The OEF Youth Committee would like to commend all of the bursary applicants on their exceptional applications and announce that ten bursaries have been awarded.

The OEF would like to extend a special thanks to our newest Platinum Partner, Brokerlink for their kind donation of $1,000 to the OEF Youth Bursary Program.

The OEF would like to congratulate our 2011 bursary recipients!

	Olivia Armstrong – Olivia is a fifteen year old student at Perth District Collegiate Institute. She is a multi disciplined equestrian and is involved in a variety of english disciplines. Olivia’s plans include attaining her next English Learn to Ride Level and competing in eventing, dressage and jumper shows in 2011.
	Emily Bride – Emily has been riding for over seven years and has achieved her English Learn to Ride Level 1 and is currently working towards her Level 2. Emily enjoys working with people with disabilities and would like to work towards becoming an Assistant Instructor. She is in her final year of studies at Sir William Osler High School in Toronto, ON.
	Patrick DeHetre – Patrick is fifteen years old and attends Sir George Ross Secondary School in London, ON. Patrick has successfully earned his Equine Canada Western Learn to Ride Level 1 and is currently working towards passing Level 2. Patrick has competed successfully over the past two years at local stable shows and is now focusing on competing in western speed events. Patrick is currently working with his coach to train her filly in preparation of competing this spring.
	Jeremy Foisy Marquis – Jeremy is a grade ten student at Parkdale Collegiate in Toronto, ON. Jeremy’s weekly riding lessons have had a direct impact on the improvement of his self esteem and confidence. He willingly gets on any horse he is asked to ride and works hard to improve his riding. In 2011, Jeremy plans to continue his weekly riding lessons to build on his skills and horsemanship.
	Danielle Gibson – Danielle has had a passion for horses ever since she took her first riding lesson when she was eight years old. Danielle enjoys all aspects of riding including the “dirty” work such as grooming and stable management. Danielle is involved with her local 4H horse club, volunteers as a jump judge at her stable during competitions and volunteers at Noah’s Ark where she works with various animals. Danielle’s main goal is to complete the English Learn to Ride program so that she can become a certified instructor or coach. Danielle is in grade nine at Port Perry High School and hopes to become a veterinarian one day.
	Allison Lalonde – Allison is fifteen years old and attends Glengarry District High School in Alexandria, ON. Allison has successfully competed in the discipline of dressage at the national level. In 2010, Allison won several championships including Reserve Champion, Second Level Junior in Bromont, QC; Champion, Second Level Junior in Blainville, QC; and Reserve Champion, Second Level Junior at the Ontario Dressage Championships. Allison’s goal in 2011 is to be successful at the Canadian Eastern Regional Dressage Championships with her sights set on competing at the FEI Junior Level in 2012.
	Brook Pickering – Brook is in her final year at Bear Creek Secondary School in Barrie, ON. Brook has been riding since the tender age of six and has never looked back. Brook enjoys competing in eventing and in 2010 she competed at Bromont’s CCI* in the Open Training division. Brook plans on competing this year in the Preliminary division in hopes of qualifying to compete at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships..
	Abigail Sanderson – Abigail started riding at a young age and her passion has only grown stronger over the years. Abigail is looking forward to competing in some local schooling shows and attending some dressage clinics with her current mount, Mr. Bojangles. Abigail is fifteen years old and is homeschooled in North Gower, ON.
	Emily Stoneman – Emily is one of eleven students enrolled in the High Performance Athlete Program at Sir William Mullock Secondary School in Newmarket, ON. Emily is currently a part of the Ontario Young Riders Development program and she plans on competing on the Young Rider’s eventing team this year. Her 2011 goals include competing in the Preliminary division by the end of the season.
	Nathaniel Tucker – For fifteen year old Nathaniel, his interest in horses transpired through his mother’s passion for them. Nathaniel started his actual riding career about four years ago when he began taking regular dressage lessons. Prior to taking lessons, he volunteered and attended various riding clinics and special events held at the therapeutic riding stable where his mother worked. In 2011, Nathaniel plans to compete at some dressage competitions and complete the Learn to Ride program so he can eventually become an instructor or coach. Nathaniel is in grade ten at Holy Trinity Secondary Catholic School in Courtice, ON.

The OEF grants a minimum of five bursaries annually to junior members attending a high school in Ontario. If you will be between the ages of 14 yrs and 17 yrs (as of January 1, 2012) you are eligible to apply. The 2012 OEF Youth Bursary application will be available beginning July 1, 2011 on the OEF website and in the Summer issue of WHOA!