Ottawa, Ontario — Jump Canada is pleased to announce the ten young athletes who have been named recipients of the Jump Canada Bursary for 2006.

In recognition of the difficulty that young riders’ face as they strive to continue their education while also competing at high levels of equestrian sport, Jump Canada developed the Bursary program for competitors aged 14-21 in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Since its inception in 2002, the Jump Canada Bursary Program has been made possible by a leadership donation of $5,000 from the Samuel Group of Companies. Jump Canada matches that donation to offer a total of $10,000 in bursary monies.

The following young athletes were awarded Jump Canada Bursaries in the amount of $1,000 each:

  • A life-long rider, 19-year-old Lindsay Beadle of Vernon, BC, has been a working student for two separate farms. Her riding goals include qualifying for the CET Medal National Finals, becoming an Equine Canada Certified Coach and competing at the Grand Prix level while running a riding facility. Beadle is currently working toward a Business Administration college diploma, and plans to transfer to university in order to earn a Bachelors degree.
  • Billie Derouet, 15, of Bromont, QC, successfully competed in the Level 7 Jumper division in 2006, securing many wins, and was also the winner of the CET Medal Eastern Final in her hometown of Bromont, QC. Derouet’s future goals are to ride at the 2007 North American Young Riders’ Championship and to win the CET Medal Final. When it comes to her education, Derouet is determined to keep her high school average above 90%, and plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
  • Hailey Flemming, 18, of Sherwood Park, AB, has spent the last two years competing at the 4’ to 4’3” jumper level, in addition to training her young horse in the hopes of progressing to the higher jumper levels. In the future, she hopes to move up to the 4’6” level. Her educational goals include attending the University of Alberta to obtain the necessary qualifications before applying to the University of Saskatchewan for Veterinary Medicine.
  • Kelsey Foote, 17, of Brentwood Bay, BC, bought a three-year-old horse in 2003 in order to gain training experience, and successfully developed the horse from the Baby Green Hunter division to the 3’6” jumper level. An active catch rider, Foote’s goal is to win the CET Medal National Finals. Currently a Grade 12 French Immersion student, Foote plans to attend university with the hopes of earning a teaching degree, or becoming an immigration lawyer.
  • Jackie Henderson of Denfield, ON, has competed at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, for the past eight consecutive years riding both ponies and horses in a variety of divisions. The 18-year-old’s future goals include competing in the CET Medal Final as well as the Amateur-Owner Hunter division. Currently in her first year of studies in the Animal Science program at the University of Guelph, Henderson plans to become a small animal veterinarian.
  • Dana Henson, 17, a resident of Vancouver, BC, moved up to the 3’9” medal and jumper divisions after purchasing a horse from Canadian Olympian John Pearce. An avid equitation rider, she qualified for both the Maclay and CET Regional Finals. Her future goals include qualifying for the CET Medal National Finals as well as the ASPCA Maclay Medal Final, and to be a member of the show jumping team for the North American Young Riders’ Championship. Henson plans on attending university and studying in the undergraduate Law and Society program.
  • Renata Nicmans, 17, of Langley, BC, topped the overall 2006 Provincial standings in the Junior Hunter division. She plans to continue competing in the hunter and equitation divisions and would someday like to be a hunter and equitation judge. Nicmans will be attending university in September of 2007 with the goal of earning a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Commerce degree and then continuing her studies in law.
  • Mairin Platt, 17, of North Vancouver, BC, competed in the 3’9” jumper level this year, finishing as the 2006 Provincial 3’9” Amateur Jumper Champion. Currently a first-year Business Administration student at Capilano College, Platt’s long-term goal is to complete her four-year program with a business degree. As for her equestrian goals, Platt hopes to qualify for the North American Young Rider’s Championship.
  • Bianca Rousseau, 19, of Sillery, QC, moved up to the Junior/Amateur Jumper Level 7 in 2006, earning numerous championships in Canada and the United States. A student at Cégep François-Xavier-Garneau, Rousseau is in the Sports Studies program via distance schooling, which enables her to travel to Florida to compete while still maintaining her education. Rousseau is focused on reaching her goal of competing at the Grand Prix level.
  • Lanie Thomas, 18, of Richmond, BC, moved up to the 1.30 m jumper level in 2006. A Grade 12 Honour Roll student, Thomas is currently studying Languages and Tourism at Queens University and was selected to attend the International Study Center program in East Sussex, England. Her riding goals include becoming a member of the show jumping team for the North American Young Riders’ Championship.

Elements considered in the application process include a transcript of grades and outline of academic curriculum; future educational plans; equestrian experience; commitment and dedication to their sport; a positive image within the sport; achievement of notable competition results, whether at the local, regional or national level; goals within the equestrian industry; and financial need.

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