Through an ongoing partnership with Sport Canada, Para-Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce that four grants were awarded to Canadian therapeutic riding centers during the last phase of the program to encourage participation of riders with a disability.
Competitive opportunities for riders with a disability
Therapeutic riding centers that offer new competitive opportunities or increase their existing competition program for riders with a disability are eligible to receive a grant.
The partnership is now offering additional grants as part of this project Therapeutic riding centers that offer new competitive opportunities or increase their existing competition program for riders with a disability are eligible to receive a grant of up to $500. The aim of the grants is to encourage the participation of riders with a disability in competitions.
The deadline to submit an application for the second series is March 15, 2012.
Some examples of how the grants will help therapeutic riding centres introduce riders to para-equestrian sport include funding for a new para-dressage ring, venue development, funding to host in-house competitions, sport promotion and clinic expenses.
“TEAD has been privileged to receive several grants from Para-Equestrian Canada” said Hilary Webb, program director, TEAD (The Equestrian Association for the Disabled). “These grants have enabled us to firstly introduce competition to a handful of riders. This has now grown to having an annual in-house show in December where more than 60 riders have participated.“We are grateful to Para-Equestrian Canada for making this opportunity available. Our riders have benefitted immensely and our coaches are thoroughly enjoying working with our riders and sharing in their accomplishments,” continued Webb.
Centers interested in applying for the second series may do so by visiting the Para-Equestrian website at http://www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.