Cambridge, Ontario - Keean White of Cambridge, ON, has been awarded a $500 scholarship as part of the Horse Sport Young Riders Scholarship Fund for his outstanding performance at the 2003 North American Young Riders’ Championship held in Bromont, QC, for riders aged 16-21.

White was the top placed Canadian show jumping athlete, capturing Team Gold and Individual Silver medals, at the North American Young Riders’ Championship, riding the Dutch Warmblood mare, Libidou. Representing the Ontario Team, who was in fourth position following the first round of competition, White’s flawless performance in the second round clinched the victory for Ontario, ensuring them top position on the medal podium. Individually, White completed five rounds of jumping with just 5.07 faults to claim the Individual Silver Medal behind USA Region 2’s Georgina Bloomberg, who won the gold with 3.03 faults.

“I think it’s great that Horse Sport Magazine, read by everyone in the business, is willing to recognize and support those of us who are coming up in the ranks, not just the riders who are already experienced at the top level,” says White, who was also named the 2003 Equestrian of the Year by Equine Canada and the 2003 Professional Athlete of the Year by the City of Cambridge.

Established in 1998 as part of Horse Sport Magazine’s 30th anniversary celebration, the Horse Sport Young Riders Scholarship Fund recognizes the top Canadian performers at the annual North American Young Riders’ Championship in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and three day eventing with a $500 scholarship. Since its inception, the Horse Sport Young Riders Scholarship has assisted 27 young riders from all across the country.

Winners of the 2003 Horse Sport Young Rider Scholarship were officially honoured at the annual Equine Canada Awards Banquet, held February 7, 2004, in Richmond, BC. In addition to White’s recognition in show jumping, the scholarship for dressage was awarded to Veronique Lavallee of Hudson, QC, who placed eleventh individually, and three day eventing competitor Ashley Minion of Warsaw, ON, who finished the 2003 North American Young Riders’ Championship in seventh place individually in addition to being a member of the Bronze Medal Team.

“Young rider development is an area that is constantly underfunded,” notes Horse Publications Group President, Susan Jane Anstey, who created the scholarship concept. “We felt that this was a good way for Horse Sport magazine to help our future team candidates.”

The program was developed by the well-known Canadian magazine in order to assist Canada’s up-and-coming young riders in their pursuit of excellence in the equestrian field and the scholarships are generously administered by Equine Canada. The Horse Sport Young Riders Scholarship Fund is financed by way of proceeds from various events throughout the year that are presented by Horse Sport’s parent company, Horse Publications Group.

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