In its third year, the Canadian Youth Equestrian Mentorship Program is expanding to provide the same opportunities to hunter/jumper riders as initially offered to young dressage riders.
Organized by Canadian Dressage Team member Jill Irving, the Canadian Youth Equestrian Mentorship Program is designed to inspire Canadian equestrians between the ages of 16 and 21 by offering them educational opportunities in Wellington, FL, widely considered to be the winter equestrian epicenter for both international dressage and hunter/jumper competition.
Six dressage riders and six hunter/jumper riders will be selected via lottery to travel to Wellington, FL, during the first week of March 2018. While in Florida, participants will experience discipline-specific mentorship from top competitors and show grooms, observe daily routines, competition preparation and training, and engage in educational discussions and networking activities. Participants will be guests at Irving’s private home, with all ground transportation also generously donated by Irving.
Pam Law, chair of Equestrian Canada’s Jump Committee, commented that “it is a wonderful example of someone giving back to our sport to help those who otherwise might not have the chance.”
Interested riders can find further details and complete an application form online at www.jillirvingyouthequinementorprogram.ca.
Completed application forms must be submitted to rsvp@jdirving.com by no later than 5 p.m. ET on November 30, 2017. Qualified applicants will be placed into a lottery and notified of their selection via email the week of December 1, 2017.
