Codrington resident Paula Benjamin, a member of the local Northumberland Pony Club, has been awarded a $1,000 Ontario Equestrian Federation bursary to pursue further equine training and/or education. Ms Benjamin, 16, is a grade 11 student at East Northumberland Secondary School. Her planned Pony Club activities for the coming season include show jumping and rally (the Pony Club equivalent of eventing) on her horse Aces High, as well as taking part in the Pony Club academic competition, quiz, and the Pony Club testing system.

As well as her Pony Club activities, Paula competes in eventing, hunter classes and show jumping. Her riding objectives for the year include testing for her Pony Club C level (A is the highest). She also plans to participate in the Mentor program and become a certified riding instructor.

Longer term, Paula hopes to become a veterinarian, and now does co-op work at both Northumberland Veterinary Services and the Oakcrest Equestrian Centre, both in Colborne. Says Ms Benjamin, “I plan to use the OEF funds to assist me in paying for my rider/instructor testing, and as many clinics as I can get in. I love to learn new things, especially about horse health and care, and look forward to a year of new and exciting experiences.”

The Ontario Equestrian Federation awards bursaries to deserving young riders. For 2007, six of the 15 awards went to members of Pony Club branches in the Central Ontario Region, with another two going to members of Western Ontario Region branches.

The Ontario Equestrian Federation is a not-for-profit sport governing office that provides education, leadership and support to individuals, associations and companies in Ontario’s horse community. It provides its members with a variety of services, programs, and benefits, and represents their interests to the general public, affiliated organizations and to varying levels of government. In short – the OEF stands for all things equine.

Committed to youth, the OEF offers bursaries annually to Junior OEF members wishing to pursue an equine career and/or further their competitive goals. Applications for 2008 OEF Youth Bursaries will be available beginning July 1, 2007. If you will be between 14 and 17 years old (as of January 1st, 2008) and attending a high school in Ontario in 2008 DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY!! For more information please visit the OEF website www.horse.on.ca or contact the OEF Office at 1-877-441-7112 or 905-709-6545.

For more details e-mail Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Chair, or call him at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).