Jump Canada Announces Bursary Recipients for 2012

Jump Canada is pleased to announce the young athletes who have been named recipients of the Jump Canada Bursary for 2012.

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 athletes 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.

“We were pleased to see the depth and quality of the submissions this year,” said Mark Samuel, who helped found the Jump Canada Bursary Program and is a member of the Committee. “Given the right encouragement, the future of our sport should be in good hands.”

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The following young athletes were awarded Jump Canada Bursaries in the amount of $2,000 each.

Cynthia Malouin, 16, of Calgary, AB, started riding at camp at 10 years of age. At 14, Malouin qualified her Children’s Hunter, Narew, for the 2010 Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in Toronto, ON, placing in the over fences and under saddle classes. In order to focus on becoming a serious contender in the equitation classes, Malouin’s coach found her a new medal mount named Casper Van’t Gestelhof. Together they clicked and in 2012, the pair qualified for the Maclay Regional Finals, CET Regional Finals and at the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in the Jump Canada Medal Final and the $25,000 Hogan’s Inn Hunter Derby. With plans to attend the University of Calgary and become a general physician, Malouin also hopes to transition her successful hunter career into a grand prix level jumper rider.

Currently completing her second of her four year degree in commerce at the Saunder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, Madison McDougall, 18, of Langley, BC, is also a JustWorld International ambassador, raising funds for JustWorld supported projects through organizing silent auctions, hosting horseless horse shows and selling merchandise. McDougall’s generosity has also extended to holding fundraisers for British Columbia riders traveling to the CET Finals at the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, she was also a participant at the CET Finals and placed eighth in the Flat/Gymnastics phase riding her own horse, Ayer Canada. McDougall’s riding goals include bringing along her green horse, Dolce Vita, in the hunter and eventually the jumper rings.

With a doctor’s recommendation for a booted sport, Natalie Nahirney, 16, of Langley, BC, embarked on her riding career and has never looked back. While remaining on the honour roll in high school, she has been showing in the 1.10-1.15m jumper and equitation divisions very successfully. In 2012, Nahirney finished in fourth place in the CET Regional standings and attended the Regional Finals. In additional to riding and school, Nahirney is gaining additional experience in the equine industry by working as a groom and stable hand at Thunderbird Show Stables. Her future goals include a degree in science and attending the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show to compete in both the Jump Canada Medal and the CET Finals.

Jacqueline Steffens, 18, of Harriston, ON, began riding at the age of nine and competed in her first gold show one year later. Having represented Ontario at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships in 2011 and 2012 in Lexington, KY, Steffens goal is to earn a medal at the prestigious event. She has also been the leading junior rider in Ontario in the 1.40m division in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and she was reserve champion in the Junior Amateur Jumper divisions at the Royal Horse Show in 2011. Steffens also earned top results in 2012 edition of the Royal in both the Jump Canada Talent Squad Finals and the Junior Amateur Jumper division. Currently completing her first year of science at the University of Guelph, Steffens plans to pursue graduate studies and obtain her PhD.

In 2011, Sarah Wallace, 20, of Calgary, AB, won the Western Division of the Jump Canada Emerging Rider Series riding a loaned horse. Currently Wallace is training her five-year-old horse that she started and broke herself. The pair competed at both the Spruce Meadows Summer Series and at Anderson Ranch in 2012. In her second year of her criminal justice degree at Mont Royal University, Wallace plans on working in her field of study while continuing to work with her young horse in the ring.

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.

For additional details regarding the Jump Canada Youth Bursary Program, please visit the Jump Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada