Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the 2013 recipients of the Dressage Canada Bursary Program.
Each year, the Dressage Canada Development Committee provides one senior and two junior dressage riders with a bursary of $2,500 to help encourage the accomplishment of personal goals as they relate to the sport of dressage.
The 2013 senior recipient of the Dressage Canada Bursary is:
Kristen DeYoung (Ottawa, ON)
DeYoung is a 21-year-old student at the University of Ottawa, studying Honours Psychology. She began riding at the age of eight, and her passion for the sport grew steadily with exposure to the different disciplines. DeYoung began riding in the area of hunter/jumper, and moved into eventing during high school. After moving to Ottawa, she was exposed to a high level of dressage, which led to her changing her focus solely to dressage. This past summer was a great success for DeYoung as she competed at the Gold level, ending the season with a Reserve Championship in Training level at the Ontario Dressage Championships. DeYoung continues to train and advance both herself and her horse in the hope of moving up the levels together. Future goals include furthering her knowledge of dressage, and working to share her passion for horses with others.
The 2013 junior recipients (21 years of age or younger) are:
Julia Helland (Sundre, AB)
Helland is a 16-year-old high school student who plans to attend the University of Alberta in order to study Environmental Sciences. Her love of horses started at an early age, as she grew up on a farm with parents who shared her passion for horses. Helland joined the Canadian Pony Club at the age of seven, actively participating in shows and clinics. She decided to focus on the discipline of dressage at the age of 12. In her first year of dressage competition, Helland earned Provincial and Regional Children’s Championship titles. She has spent the past three years competing at the EC Gold level, where she has earned Second Level Open and Junior Champion titles. In 2012, Helland moved up to the FEI Junior level. Her goal is to represent Canada in international competition, including the North American Junior and Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC), which she hopes to attend within the next two years. She plans to use the bursary fund to attend clinics and other educational events that will expand her knowledge as a rider.
Brooke Koppeser (Winterbourne, ON)
Koppeser is an 18-year-old student enrolled in the Honours Psychology program (with a minor in business) at Wilfrid Laurier University. She had her first riding lesson at Sonnenhof Stables at the age of seven, and continues to train there today, under the guidance Ute Busse. Koppeser was a member of the Ontario/Manitoba Junior Dressage Team at the 2013 NAJYRC in Kentucky. In 2011, her partner, Viva’s Capitol (owned by Busse) was awarded the Canadian Warmblood Breeder’s Association Dressage Horse of the Year (Ontario Chapter) as a result of their competition success. Additionally, Koppeser and her young mount Fabelhaft have obtained scores up to 80.350% in competition. In the future, Koppeser’s goal is to represent Ontario and Canada at international competitions, including returning to NAJYRC.
Dressage Canada Bursary Program recipients are chosen based on various points of consideration, including:
• Future educational plans
• Equestrian experience
• Commitment and dedication to the sport of dressage
• Goals pertaining to the equestrian industry
• Results at EC sanctioned Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum competitions
• Demonstrated financial need
• Positive contributions to the sport of dressage
For more information on the Dressage Canada Bursary and Levy programs, visit www.equinecanada.ca/dressage.
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