Developed by two dedicated “dressage moms” the Ontario Has Talent program was designed to provide training and financial support to young dressage riders, who aspire to compete at the North American Junior & Young Riders’ Championships.
Nathalie Lawson of North Bay and Gabrielle Sutton of Drumbo, both have daughters who compete in the discipline of dressage, and have both experienced frustration at the cost of training, and the scarcity of trainers in their Northern Ontario towns.
Together, they launched Ontario Has Talent, which organizes clinics conducted by Olympic and elite athletes and judges, who offer their services at half their normal rates. Not only will riders be able to take advantage of the reduced training rates, the clinics will also raise money for the needs of young athletes on their quest to ride at the NAJYRC.
“It’s a clever system,” said Kim Goodyear, former chair of the High Performance Committee of Dressage Canada and current board member of Ontario Has Talent. “What the kids do pay to attend these clinics will go directly to them when all of the training pays off and they make the team.”
In addition to their first Frostbite Clinic Series, Ontario Has Talent will hold two fundraisers in the hopes of generating funds to help subsidize the cost of the clinics. The first event, a fashion show and high tea, is scheduled for December 2nd at The Manor in Kettleby, ON. It will feature Ontario Has Talent participants as models, wearing clothes from the Equestrian Factory Outlet, the Ascot Room, Hannah’s, Biliana Bridal & Boutique and from the well-known Aboriginal designer, Angela DeMontigny.
To find out more, visit www.ontariohastalent.com or www.facebook.com/OntarioHasTalent. For more information on the Frostbite Clinic Series, visit www.ontariohastalent.com/frost-bite-series/youth-frost-bite-clinic-series
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