A generous donation of $100,000 has been made to Equine Guelph by Sheryl and David Kerr of Toronro, ON, to establish the Kerr Fund for Equine Education and Community Outreach, a portion of which will support much-needed ongoing operational funding for the University of Guelph’s not-for-profit Centre for the horse owner.
Sheryl Kerr is the owner of Strathfield Farm in Stouffville, ON, home of team Irwins’ Stoney Lake Equestrian. David W. Kerr is a director of global investment company Brookfield, chairman of real estate company Halmont Properties Corp., and a director of the Canadian Special Olympics Foundation.
Sheryl and David Kerr. (mcgillathletics.ca)
Sheryl was inspired to set up the fund after enjoying courses on TheHorsePortal.ca, Equine Guelph’s online learning platform. Taking the Horse Care and Welfare course, which included the National Equine Code of Practice, helped her create a Covid-19 response plan for her 150-acre farm and training facility. Kerr was impressed with the practicality of the Equine Guelph course and how lessons learned could be directly applied to daily operations. “Having learned so much myself from Equine Guelph’s online courses, I know first-hand how much value they bring to the horse community. Our horses deserve the very best, and Equine Guelph has access to the latest advice from experts across a range of topics that are essential for any horse owner – from beginners to barn owners.”