Source:  News Release

Para-Equestrian Canada Funds Competition Programs

Ottawa, Ontario-Para-Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce that they have once again partnered with Sport Canada to encourage the participation of riders with a disability in competition.

As part of this project, therapeutic riding centres that offer new competitive opportunities, or increase their existing competition program to riders with a disability will be eligible to receive a grant of up to $500.   

After the second series of the season came to a close, a total of four grants of $500 each were awarded to the following centres:

1. Stella French-ManeStream, Victoria, BC
2. Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society, Richmond, BC
3. WindReach Farm, Ashburn, ON
4. Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association, Duncan, BC

Some examples of how the grants will help therapeutic riding centres introduce riders to Para-equestrian sport include: subsidies for riders to participate in competition, a new mounting ramp, a wireless headset communication system, in-house shows, dressage letters and funding for new "introduction to competition" riding programs.

"On Behalf of WindReach Farm, I would like to thank Para-Equestrian Canada for their generous support," Kathy Little, Resource Development Manager at Windreach Farm. "The grants awarded through the program have facilitated our riders to participate in the PEC Sea-to-Sea Video Dressage Competitions, and to purchase larger, more visible dressage lettering allowing all of our riders to explore dressage skills and encourage their development."

Little continued, "We are excited to use this $500.00 grant to offset coaching, specialized equipment and competition fees for these individuals so that they too can experience the sense of joy and accomplishment that comes from participating in para-dressage as a sport."

Centres interested in applying for the March 15, 2013 deadline are urged to visit Para-Equestrian Canada's website at www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian for more information.

If you have any questions related to this project or any other Para-Equestrian Canada initiatives, please contact Para-Equestrian Canada at para-equestrian@equinecanada.caor 613-248-3433 ext. 144.

About Hi-Pro Feeds

Hi-Pro Feeds is the official animal feed sponsor of the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team. For nearly 40 years, Hi-Pro Feeds been proudly serving the livestock feeding and ranching industries. With its ProForm Equine Feed line, Hi-Pro easily meets the needs of the Canadian equine, whether high performance or recreational mount. Hi-Pro Feeds operates facilities in Canada through a framework of plants, dealers and loyal customers. For more information, please visit www.hiprofeeds.com.

About Para-Equestrian Canada

Para-Equestrian Canada is the Equine Canada committee responsible for developing programs for athletes with a physical disability, and implementing the Para-Dressage high performance program. Para-Equestrian is one of Canada's most successful international disciplines, achieving an individual gold medal and an individual silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games, as well as two individual bronze medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games.

About Para-Equestrian Sport

Para-Equestrian sport provides riders with a physical disability the opportunity to compete against other riders with similar abilities. Riders are given a "Grade" based on their functional ability, and are judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five grades of competitions in dressage, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade IV representing the least severely impaired riders. Many Para-Equestrian athletes also compete alongside able-bodied competitors in Equine Canada competitions. At the grass roots level, Para-Equestrian encompasses a number of different disciplines, while the international stream focuses only on Para-Dressage. For more information, please visit  www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.

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