The Ontario Eventing Association, in partnership with the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Zara Buren Memorial Award.
This year, a total of 24 junior riders from across the province applied for this award. The selection committee was comprised of members of the Ontario Eventing Association Board of Directors, as well as Zara’s family.
“It’s hard to believe that the Zara Buren Memorial Award is now in its fifth year. We are incredibly proud to see Zara’s values– her kindness, dedication, and horsemanship reflected in this year’s 24 remarkable applicants. The selection process was both inspiring and challenging, as so many young riders impressed us with their passion and commitment.
After thoughtful deliberation, the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation is proud to support nine athletes in 2025. In addition to the main Award, we will also provide five Grants of Distinction and three Grants of Potential. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our outstanding applicants and their supporters and look forward to seeing each of you continue to #rideforzara.”
Sabrina Haque, Robert and Chloe Buren
The Ontario Eventing Association is pleased to announce as the recipient of this year’s Zara Buren Memorial Award is Ellie Van Sickle (Ottawa, ON) who will receive a $6,000 grant, as well as a horse cooler and bonnet in burgundy, Zara's show colour. The funds are intended to support the recipient’s Eventing journey in 2025 through financing extra educational opportunities, schooling and lessons and increasing opportunities to compete.
Given the calibre of the applications, the Foundation Directors determined additional grants would be awarded. In addition to the Memorial Award, the Foundation will provide five Grants of Distinction and three Grants of Potential, supporting a total of nine athletes.
The five recipients of Grants of Distinction will each receive a grant of $1,000:
· Leah Cort (Tecumseh/Windsor, ON)
· Cameron Cuddy (Toronto, ON)
· Laena Good (Manotick, ON)
· Nicola MacLeod (Georgetown, ON)
· Paige West (Rousseau, ON)
The three recipients of Grants of Potential will each receive a grant of $500:
· Nola Cavanagh (Manotick, ON)
· Alexis Edwards (Wasaga Beach, ON)
· Lily Marshall (Utterson, ON)
Congratulations to this year’s applicants and to our grant recipients. We are excited to follow your Eventing journey in 2025.
Comments