Canadian Eventing Announces 2009 Scholarship Recipients

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Eventing Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Canadian Eventing Athlete Development Scholarships.

The 2009 recipients are Emily Daigneault of Gatineau, QC, Micheline Jordan of Ottawa, ON, and Leahona Rowland of Mississauga, ON.

Designed to recognize and encourage Canadian riders in the pursuit of international competition, this year’s program offered scholarships of $1,000 to each of these three outstanding young athletes. The assessment criteria included past eventing experience, competition results, future competition plans and goals, and dedication to the sport including support and promotion of the sport of eventing in Canada.

Daigneault, 20, and her horse Misty Vale Bacardi, her 15-year-old Morgan gelding, were selected as members of Team Canada—British Columbia/Quebec/Ontario Combined team in the CH- 2* division at the 2009 North American Junior Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYCs). Daigneault and her horse are currently training in Aiken, SC with the goal of competing in the 2010 NAJYCs in Lexington Kentucky in August. With Misty Vale Bacardi, Daigneault’s 2010 competition plans include the CCI 2* Bromont CCI Three Day Event in Bromont Quebec in June and the CCI 2* Fair Hill Three Day Event in Maryland in October

Jordan, 34, who currently resides in Ocala, FL, was the top-placed Canadian rider in the 2009 CCI2* Three Day Event in Allentown New Jersey. With her own Irish Diamonds, a 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding, Jordan finished in eighth place out of 36 starters. The pair also completed three advanced horse trials in 2009 and currently have the CCI3* division at Jersey Fresh and Bromont in their plans for 2010. Jordan’s long range plans include being short listed for the Canadian Eventing Team.

Rowland, 26, originally of Kelowna, BC, topped the leaderboard at the CCI 1* Florida Three Day Event , Ocala riding Jessica DiGenova’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Lorenzo. Rowland’s other one star finishes in 2009 included another win at the CCI 1* Wits End Three Day Event , Ontario in August and an eighth place finish at the CCI 1* Bromont Three Day Event, Quebec in June riding Lambrusco, an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Rowland and Katherine DiGenova. Rowland plans to compete at a two star three day event in early 2010 with both horses. Her long-term goals include being named to the Canadian Eventing Team and representing Canada at international competitions.

“The 2009 Scholarship applications were abundant this year and the Scholarship Selection Committee would like to thank all of the riders who have applied,” said Athlete Development Scholarship Selection Chair, Lori Leach. “Selecting the scholarship recipients was incredibly difficult due to the extensive list of excellent applicants. It was a real honour to review these applications and very exciting to read about the goals and aspirations of so many dedicated Canadian Eventers.”