Apply for Grants

The Brosda Olympic Bursary

The Brosda Olympic Bursary is offered in memory of the late Élisabeth Brosda of Gatineau, QC, and designed to help NextGen dressage athletes develop the skill and determination to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.

The Bursary will provide up to $10,000 annually toward financial support for international competition, sport science, training, equipment and sport education. Recipients will become ambassadors for the Bursary, promoting the Olympic values of excellence, teamwork, leadership and fair play. This will include public speaking engagements, appearances, and sharing stories about their experience in the sport publicly and through social media.

• Applications can be submitted through the Brosda Olympic Bursary online portal.
• The Brosda Olympic Bursary Criteria 

About the Élisabeth Brosda Memorial Fund

A passionate young equestrian and an accomplished dressage athlete, Élisabeth was tragically killed in a car collision in September 2016. Élisabeth’s goal was to reach the Grand Prix level and represent Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games. As a lasting legacy in her memory, EC is honoured to facilitate support for the Élisabeth Brosda Memorial Fund on behalf of the Brosda family through the Horsepower Foundation. Funds donated to the Élisabeth Brosda Memorial Fund are directed specifically to the annual Brosda Olympic Bursary.

Orion Cup

The Orion Cup was created in memory of Orion, a very special horse in Canadian dressage history, to encourage and assist young Canadian athletes in making the transition from the young rider level to the grand prix level. Not only does this program provide an important developmental opportunity for athletes, it also is a means to achieve the goal of putting Canadians on the podium at major games.

The recipient of the Orion Cup will receive:

• A commemorative jacket and cooler
• $1,000 cash prize
• Title of Orion Cup National Champion

Orion Cup National Champion

About Orion

Orion was first trained to the advanced level by Leslie Reid and represented Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Orion was later sold to one of Reid’s students at that time, Pia Fortmuller. Orion helped Fortmuller break into the grand prix ranks, and carried her all the way to the national team level, with the duo being named the reserve combination for the 2012 London Olympics. Sadly, Orion passed away in 2014. His passing was a devastating personal loss to Fortmuller and her family, and a loss to the sport of dressage in Canada. The Orion Cup was established to pay tribute to this very special gelding.

The Philip Parkes Memorial Coaching Scholarship

Philip Parkes was a professional dressage rider and licensed coach based out of Rockwood, Ontario until his unexpected death in 2023. He was also a co-host of the popular Dressage Radio Show podcast. Not only did Philip have a superb connection with horses that helped him to become an accomplished rider but, with a focus on continuing education and skill development, he became a valued and respected coach to many aspiring and established riders.

In 2022, Philip achieved his certification from Equestrian Canada as a Competition Coach Specialist in Dressage. Philip took great satisfaction from his role as a coach and he firmly believed that by providing good coaching, he could affect and inspire more dressage riders than by simply being a good rider himself. Philip recognized that licensing helps maintain a high standard of coaching, which is essential for the development of both horses and riders in a discipline as precise and demanding as dressage. The licensed coaching program also promoted values that were important to Philip in his coaching career, including safety and well-being, consistency in instruction, credibility and trust, and promoting growth of the overall equestrian sport.

Developing dressage instructors and coaches requires a significant time and financial commitment. In Canada, at the national and provincial levels there are currently several avenues to instructor and coach designations and certifications. The goal of the Philip Parkes Memorial Coaching Scholarship is to help bridge the financial gap faced by aspiring and/or established dressage coaches who are interested in advancing their coaching certifications. We hope to support individuals who have a focus on dressage so that they can further help others learn about dressage and improve their skill and their horses in the same way that Philip valued.

To donate: click the following link and then from the Fund drop down menu, select 4 Philip Parkes Memorial Coaching Scholarship
https://equestrian.ca/community/get-connected/donate

To apply to be a scholarship recipient, use the following link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/95ba7c022d504491b104073b1e3e06ce

The EC- Eventing Committee provides funding support to assist provinces in the delivery of learning opportunities of grassroots riders, to assist in provincial utilization of national standards in coaching and course development and to develop and encourage a collaborative national/ provincial network for the purposes of programme planning and delivery. There is also a travel support program and CCI international competition support program.

Eventing Committee Development Fund Program Information

Provincial Domestic Development Support Program & Expense Claim

Jumping Youth Bursary

In recognition of the challenges young riders face as they strive to continue their education while competing at high levels of jumping sport, a Jumping Youth Bursary was developed for competitors between the ages of 14 and 21 who compete in hunter, jumper and equitation divisions.

• Nominations are welcomed from coaches, show organizers, provincial federations, fellow competitors who are Equestrian Canada (EC) Sport Licence Holders in good standing.
• Nominations close annually on October 30
• Nominations must include a letter of support from an EC Sport Licence Holder in good standing who is independent of both the nominee and the nominator

Elements to be considered in the application include:

• Outline of academic curriculum and grades
• Future educational plans
• Equestrian experience
• Commitment and dedication to jumping sport
• Image within jumping sport
• Notable competition results at local, regional or national level
• Equestrian-related goals
• Financial need

Jumping Youth Bursary Program

Lauren Barwick Bridging the Gap Training Bursary

Have you ever wanted to train with a Paralympian? Well now is your time! Equestrian Canada (EC) would like to introduce and invite Para-Dressage athletes 18 or over to apply for the Lauren Barwick Bridging the Gap Training bursary.

Lauren Barwick Bridging the Gap Training Bursary

Tilted Tiara Para Dressage Travel Bursary

The 2025 CPEDI Tilted Tiara Bursary is a funding program made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship support from the Varnhagen Family Trust. This bursary has been established to help support Canadian Para Dressage athletes offset the high costs of travel and international competition expenses.

To be eligible for consideration, athletes must:

• be current Equestrian Canada (EC) Sport Licence Holders
• enter and compete at the 2025 CPEDI Tilted Tiara event

The bursary will provide a stipend up to a maximum of $2,500 CDN per qualified athlete to support entry and travel expenses. More information can be found here.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jamie-Ann Goodfellow of the Para Dressage Department at jgoodfellow@equestrian.ca.