Ottawa, ON – Jump Canada is pleased to announce the young athletes who have been named recipients of the Jump Canada Bursary for 2009.
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 $2,000 each.
Taylor Brooks, 18, of Vars, ON, has been successfully competing on both the provincial and national hunter circuits for a number of years. Brooks began competing in the Short Stirrup division at the age of eight and, with that first year of showing, developed a love of competition. Brooks has qualified for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Horse Show twice – once with her medium pony Beaverwoods Echo in 2004 and, in 2007 she competed in the Jump Canada Medal and Junior Hunter Division with Monaco. Riding Horizon’s Wasabi M, Brooks entered the jumper ranks at the national level in 2009. Brooks currently has her sights set on qualifying for the FEI North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship and is training to reach that goal with her new horse, Empire 181.
Brie Etcheverry, 21, of Calgary, AB, has been a successful competitor on the national circuit for many years and has also earned numerous Alberta Show Jumping Association awards. For the past two years, Etcheverry has competed at the North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship (NAJYRC) with her own horses, Capitan (2008) and Pilgrim v/d Paddepoel (2009). In both her NAJYRC appearances, Etcheverry won the Farewell competition in the Young Riders’ division. Etcheverry also won the ATCO Structures Double Slalom at the 2009 Spruce Meadows “National” Tournament. She is currently attending the University of Calgary while her equestrian goals are geared toward earning a future place on the Canadian Equestrian Team.
Quincy Hayes, 18, of Aurora, ON, has been showing on the national circuit since the age of five. In 2002, she was the Grand Pony Hunter Champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Horse Show. Hayes had a tremendous year in 2008, capped off by winning both the CET and Jump Canada Medal Finals at the Royal. In 2009, Hayes trained as a working student in the United States and qualified for the USEF Finals, the USET Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals, as well as the Jump Canada Medal Finals. Hayes is presently attending the University of Guelph and will continue to compete while simultaneously pursuing her Bachelor of Arts.
Katherine Macoun, 15, is a grade 10 student from Calgary, AB. Having shown both ponies and horses on the national circuit, Macoun attended her first out-of-province horse show in 2008 and qualified to represent Canada at the 2008 FEI Children’s Final held in Bogota, Colombia, where she finished in 12th place riding a borrowed horse. In 2009, she was the winner of the 1.20m Final Four at the Spruce Meadows “Skyliner” Tournament and was profiled as a CTV ‘Athlete of the Week.’ Her future goals include being named to the Junior Team for the NAJYRC. She would also like to earn the opportunity to attend additional international competitions around the world.
Karley Skaret, 15, is from Calgary, AB. In 2009, Skaret moved into the jumper ring and was champion in the 1m division at Bow Valley Classic II in Calgary and reserve champion at Rivervalley Horse Show in Edmonton with her horsem Celebrity. The pair also won a 1m class at the Rocky Mountain Classic Horse Show in August. Skaret plans on qualifying for the Alberta Select Rider Team in 2010. Skaret has been on the Gold Honour Roll every term to date in high school. Once she completes her secondary studies, Skaret plans to pursue an equestrian scholarship at university in order to continue competing while obtaining her degree.
Each year, Jump Canada selects worthy recipients of its Bursary program based on the strength of applications received. 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.