Ottawa, Ontario — The Canadian Eventing Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2006 Canadian Eventing Athlete Development Scholarship Program.
The 2006 Scholarship recipients are Lisa Marie Fergusson of Langley, BC, Allison Truesdell of Lansdowne, ON and Kendal Lehari of Uxbridge, ON.
Designed to recognize and encourage Canadian riders in the pursuit of international competition, this year’s program offered scholarships of $1,000 each to three outstanding young athletes. The assessment criteria included eventing experience, competition results, competition plans and goals, and dedication to the sport, including support and promotion of the sport of eventing in Canada.
An avid eventer and A-Level Canadian Pony Club member, Fergusson has an intense interest in all of the components of eventing, and enjoys donating her time and coaching young riders. Riding her eight-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding Uni Griffon, Fergusson has been very successful, and recently moved up to the CCI** level, contesting the Galway Downs CCI** International Three Day Event in Temecula, California. Fergusson finished in sixth place, making her the highest placed Canadian in the division.
Her goal for the 2007 season is to successfully compete at the Advanced level and work towards meeting the necessary qualifications to move up to the international three star advanced level in the fall.
Truesdell is a successful athlete who aspires to make eventing her career. After competing in the Kingston area for a few years, Truesdell became a working student for Olympian Stuart Black, traveling to major events throughout the United States. An Equine Canada Level One certified coach, Truesdell is currently competing with three horses her 2005 Talent Squad horse Take a Chance on Me, and her two ‘up-and-coming’ mounts, Aces High and Get Er Done.
With Take a Chance on Me, Truesdell recently placed 25th at the CCI** Virginia Three Day Event in Lexington. Truesdell’s immediate goal is to get the results necessary to make the Canadian Eventing Team Long List. She would also like to meet the qualifying criteria to move up to the international three star advanced level.
The daughter of veteran eventer Gwen Lehari, Kendal has had incredible success in 2006. As part of the 2006 Ontario Junior/Young CCI* non championship division Team at the North American Junior/Young Riders’ Championships, aboard the nine-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred gelding Understudy, Lehari not only helped to earn the Team Gold Medal, but also claimed the Individual Gold, finishing more than 20 points ahead of the closest contender.
Also an avid Pony Club member, Lehari donates her time working at Pony Club Rallies, and enjoys encouraging the up and coming young riders to enjoy the sport of eventing.
In 2007 Lehari hopes to contest the CCI** division at the International Bromont Three Day Event, in addition to making a return to the Young Riders’ Championships, this time as part of the two star championship team. Her long term goals include competing in the international three star advanced division, and representing Canada at the Olympic Games.
“We received applications from many outstanding athletes. To be selected is a great honour, and I congratulate our three recipients,” commented Peggy Hambly, Canadian Eventing Committee Chair.