Jump Canada Announces 2008 Bursary Recipients

Ottawa, On – Jump Canada is pleased to announce the young athletes who have been named recipients of the Jump Canada Bursary for 2008.

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.

Kevin Crosby, 21, of Falmouth, NS, has been a successful competitor on the national circuit for many years, earning numerous Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation zone awards. For eight months in 2008, Crosby trained, competed and worked in Europe for Jurgen Stenfert in Holland, earning many top ribbons. Crosby is currently completing his Bachelor of Business Administration at Acadia University while continuing to ride and train at his family’s farm.

Billie Derouet, 17, of Bromont, QC, and her horse, Sweet Dreams, qualified in the Eastern Conference of the Kubota Cup Series and attended the National Finals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Also at the Royal Winter Fair, Derouet and her mare, Jezzebel de Bromont, finished second overall in two-phase CET Medal Final after winning the first phase which was comprised of a flat and gymnastics test. Derouet plans to pursue a post-secondary education once she has completed her CEGEP studies.

Chelsea Leah Doty, 22, is from Fredericton, NB. She has shown both ponies and horses on the national circuit, and plans to compete in the 1.20m division in 2009. Her future goals include obtaining her Equine Canada coaching levels in order to be qualified to instruct riders and to run her own riding stable. Doty holds a Bachelors of Arts from St. Thomas University and is currently a full-time student at the University of New Brunswick.

Hannah Fraser, 18, hails from Vancouver, BC. She has been riding since she was seven years old and actively showing since the age of nine. In 2008, Fraser qualified for the Maclay Regional Finals, CET Regional Medal Finals, the Jump Canada Medal Final at the Royal Fair, and the USEF Medal Finals in Harrisburg, PA. Fraser is currently in her first year of studies at the University of Victoria.

Dana Henson, 19, is a resident of Vancouver, BC, and competes in the Adult Hunter, equitation medals and jumper divisions. An avid equitation rider, Henson qualified for the CET Medal Final at the 2008 Royal Winter Fair and finished in third place overall with her horse Loxley. Her future goals include being a member of the British Columbia show jumping team for the North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of British Columbia, Henson plans to study law and become a lawyer.

James Braden, 14, is from Kamloops, BC. He competed in his first 1.40m jump class at the age of 12 at the Spruce Meadows “Masters”, and finished in 11th place in his first indoor Grand Prix the same year at the Spruce Meadows “Harvest Classic”. In 2008, Braden was a member of the junior show jumping team that captured the silver medal at the 2008 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship. Once Braden completes his high school studies, he plans on pursuing a business degree.

Katrina Johnson, 17, is from Komarne, MB. She grew up on a farm in rural Manitoba and, at the age of eight, joined her local pony club branch. Johnson began showing at the age of 11 and, in 2007, started showing hunter and jumpers at 3’ and 3’6”. In 2008, she competed at the Gold level, qualifying for the Spirit of Pan Am Medal at the Manitoba Hunter Jumper Association Championship Show. Once she has finished her high school studies, Johnson plans on attending university with the goal of studying abroad for a year.

Lauren Korstrom, 18, of LaSalle, MB, is presently competing successfully in the 1.15m jumper division in her home province. She is enrolled in the Diploma Program at the Faulty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Korstrom hopes to someday own her own equine business with a focus on retraining Thoroughbred racehorses as show mounts.

Kristina McKinnon, 17, hails from Winnipeg, MB, and she has been riding for 10 years. McKinnon has been showing in the Children’s Hunter divisions at the Gold level. McKinnon had an average of over 91 per cent for her grade 11 academic year and she plans to attend university next fall. Her future goals for riding include becoming a coach and continuing to train young horses.

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 the 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.