Sarah Johnstone

When the North American Riders Group received 40 applications for their inaugural $15,000 Riders’ Grant in 2011, they were faced with the tough decision of which emerging rider best deserved the funds. When Sarah Johnstone of Aurora, ON, was named the winner, the only one who was surprised was Sarah herself. “I honestly didn’t think I would get it, especially being all of North America,” said the extremely grateful recipient.

Sarah, 21, began riding when she was three, and by the age of 12 was training with the Hayes family, eventually becoming a working student for Jay. In 2006, she won the equitation finals grand slam – the CET Medal and the Jump Canada Medal – at the Royal Winter Fair. At the 2007 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship, Sarah finished seventh individually. Her first FEI victory came in 2011, when she rode the Hayes’ Starlet to win the $32,000 CSI3* Open Welcome in Bromont, QC.

Thanks to an introduction through Beth Underhill, whom she had met at 16 when Beth was the chef d’équipe for the Canadian jumping team at the NAJYRC, Sarah had the opportunity to work and train at Paul Hendrix’s yard in Kessel, the Netherlands. “I flew in Sept. 26th (2011), and I was there for basically a year.” It was an eye-opening period for Sarah, who travelled to a number of shows with the Hendrix’s young jumping stock.“No matter what day of the week, there was a show. I could be competing in a three-star competition from Wednesday to Sunday then on Monday I would take my young horses to a different event. I gained a lot of confidence by being encouraged to trust my judgement and make my own decisions.

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“The biggest thing I noticed was that the pace was a lot quicker. There are so many horses in all the divisions. It’s a lot more competitive over there. I was able to gain a lot of experience watching world-class riders training and competing, but also buying and selling horses. Top riders and trainers came to the farm daily. I had the opportunity to watch them try our horses; to see what style of horse they liked or how they picked a suitable match for their client. This is such an important part of our industry and I was working for one of the best horse dealers in Europe.”

There were a number of highlights during her European stint. “My favourite part was that I got to compete in the World Championships for Young Horses. I had two (seven-year-olds) that qualified for that. It was unbelievable; the show was beautiful. It was kind of a nice ending; my last two weeks there I was at that show in Belgium and then the following week I was riding in the Hendrix auction (Dutch Sport Horse Sales in Weert, NED). Winning the final round of the seven-year-old Dutch Championship was also a highlight. There were 150 who started in the class and by the final round it came down to 50 and only three made it to the jump off.”

The sheer volume of horses and activity at the Hendrix facility was nearly overwhelming. “Just at Paul’s farm we had 32 to 40 in work, plus they had 24 foals born this spring. They were free-jumping 100 or more young horses. One of the Hendrix’s riders, Pieter Keunen, spent hours training me on multiple horses. Some days I would get seven lessons!”

Now situated in Schomberg at Beth Underhill Stables, Sarah said, “I am excited to have the chance to work with one of the best in Canada. Beth is such a talented rider, dedicated coach and knowledgeable horsewoman. I look forward to developing my career with Beth’s mentorship, not only in the ring, but outside the ring.” Underhill added that Sarah will be working hand-in-hand with her, riding and training, “definitely an integral part of my business.”

Sarah is still planning how to spend the grant money, which is generously made possible by the Southern-Heathcott family and has to be used for expenses within North America. She would literally jump at the chance to go back to Europe on a Canadian team, as well. “I would love that!”

The smart money says it’s a good bet that she will.