Welcome to the YR/U25 program.  Your volunteer OEA YR Committee has worked long and hard hours to raise funds, find prizes, organize clinics and provide mentorships with top coaches.  Let me tell you more about this program.  We are supporting the age group from 14-25 who are riding at in the Pre-Training, Training, Preliminary and Intermediate levels.  Within this group are future adult amateurs, as well as Olympic hopefuls.  We are committed to helping to grow the sport; in particular, we are committed to helping you irrespective of where you are on this spectrum.  What this all means; 

 COMPETITIONS:

AT SHOWS – Divisional results from EC sanctioned events cannot be altered (in this case regrouped). However, OEA will do the following for the YR and U25 riders:

  • Additionally, pin YR/U25 riders at these horse trials in the Training, Preliminary and Intermediate divisions.  First place will receive a Saddle Pad from Greenhawk and an OEA designed ribbon. Second place will receive Garment Bag from Greenhawk. Third place will receive a Meraki PEMF Prize Pack; 
  • These additional results will be achieved by “copying” the YR/U25 riders from their respective divisions and pinned accordingly.

YR / U25 YEAR END LEADERBOARDS – NEW for 2019, we will have six Leaderboards as listed below with Year-End Awards. (The YR/U25 riders will not be included in the regular Divisional Leaderboards as well).

The YR / U25 divisions are:

  • INTERMEDIATE – ONE LEADERBOARD (YR U25)
  • PRELIMINARY – YR
  • PRELIMINARY – U25
  • TRAINING – YR 
  • TRAINING – U25 
  • PRE- TRAINING – ONE LEADERBOARD (YR U25) 
  •  

Please note that the YR/U25 riders are NOT included in the Regular Divisional Year-End Leaderboard Awards. However, the YR / U25 Riders ARE eligible for any of the NOMINATED OEA Awards including:

  • The Ann Zander Memorial Youth Horsemanship Award
  • The Barbara Beaudouin Preliminary Rider Bursary (Preliminary Level Riders only)
  • The Rubber-Ducky Award 
  • The OEA Hall of Fame Award 
  • The Unsung Hero

 

CLINICS

We have been very fortunate to have top OEA clinicians cap their regular clinic prices, so that we are able to keep clinic costs down.  Sign-up for these clinics are on the OEA YR/U25 section of the OEA website.  OEA Clinic costs are capped at $50/horse/rider combination.  Sign up is on a first come first serve basis, and payment must be made at the same time as registration to be entered into the clinic.

 May 11th – Ian Roberts – Dreamcrest – XC:  A big success!

June 15th – Kendal Lehari – Reindalyne Farm, Uxbridge – Stadium jumping- POSTPONED TO AUGUST

June 22nd – Shandiss McDonald – Mono – Dressage

July 3rd – Jacquie Brooks – Brookhaven Farm, Newmarket – Dressage

July 10th – Jessica Phoenix – Phoenix Equestrian, Cannington – XC

August – Kendal Lehari – Stadium jumping – DATE and PLACE TO BE FINALIZED

MARQUEE CLINIC:  OEA in partnership with Dr Usha Knabe, presents Sam Watson on Aug. 6th and Aug. 7th at Will O’Wind

This clinic is open to Preliminary and Intermediate riders, however all YR/U25 riders are welcome to audit.  The details of this clinic are still being worked out with respect to the cost and the number of riders.  Mark your calendars and stay tuned to find out more about this exceptional opportunity to ride and learn from one of the best riders in the world!

 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

OEA YR/U25 riders can apply for one of three mentorship positions for the 2020 season.  Mentorships are working student positions that are three consecutive months in length, can be taken at any time during the 2020 year, and will include; complementary training, coaching at competitions, free board for one horse, and onsite accommodation for the rider.  Mentors are Lesley Grant Law, Jennifer Holling (both in Ocala, FL) and Doug Payne (in Aiken, SC).  Application forms will be available on the YR/U25 website shortly.

 Criteria and Application Process: 

Riders must be members in good standing in the OEA YR/U25 2019 program, as well as with Ontario Equestrian and Equine Canada.  The following must be demonstrated:

  1. Proper and Quality Horsemanship skills
  2. Required to volunteer at a minimum of 3 – 2019 OEA events including, Horse Trials, OEA Growing the Sport events and/or YR/U25 clinics
  3. Have successfully completed 3 OEA sanctioned horse trials at their competition level in 2019
  4. Have a healthy and sound horse as determined by a recent veterinary lameness exam
  5. Have demonstrated a dedicated work ethic and a willingness to learn 

Applicants must submit a reference letter from their coach, and it is recommended that they submit a second reference from one other person in the equestrian field. 

Deadline to apply is October 18th, 2019.  Winners will be chosen by the Mentorship Selection Committee (Deb Welna, OEA President; Veronica Low, OEA Vice-President; Penny Rowland, OEA YR/U25 Technical Advisor; and an OEA Member Coach (TBD)). The winning riders will be announced at the OEA Banquet in November 2019.  Successful applicants will be responsible for the cost and requirements of shipping their horse to/from the Mentor’s farm.

IN SUMMARY

As we develop this Program, we will post updates.  In the meantime, please visit the OEA YR/U25 website, and like/share any OEA social media postings.  If you have any comments, we would be happy to hear from you.  Our OEA YR/U25 Parent’s Group is always looking for new and supportive additions, please send us an email if you are interested in lending a hand.

GO EVENTING!

TAGS:

U25YR