Michael Winter, Waylon Roberts, Declan Bast, Gabrielle Shank and Tik Maynard receive targeted support as they build toward the 2027 season and look toward LA2028
Ottawa, ON, October 8, 2026 – Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce Michael Winter, Waylon Roberts, Declan Bast, Gabrielle Shank and Tik Maynard as the five recipients of the 2026 Eventing High Performance Athlete Development Grants. The grants provide targeted support for Canadian athletes as they prepare for the 2027 season, look ahead to the 2028 LA Olympics and continue their progression along the high-performance pathway.
This year’s recipients represent several stages of that pathway, from a four-time Olympian and a two-time Pan American Games athlete to a member of EC’s 2026 Eventing U25 Development Squad who made her CCI4*-S debut this season.
The Athlete Development Grant Program was launched to help athletes access training and competitive development opportunities that may otherwise be limited by financial or logistical barriers. Funding awarded to these athletes can support opportunities in Canada, across North America and internationally, including specialized coaching and training, competition travel and the development of horses for future upper-level competition.
Grants are offered across three funding tiers. Winter and Roberts each receive a Tier 1 Major Development Grant, which provides up to $15,000 for significant projects such as international travel, competition tours or extended training with a high-performance coach. Bast and Shank each receive a Tier 2 Training Grant, which provides up to $7,500 for focused opportunities including training camps, competition travel and specialized coaching. Maynard receives a Tier 3 Supplemental Grant, which provides up to $3,000 for targeted initiatives such as clinics, coaching sessions and competition preparation.
“With the LA 2028 Olympics in view, we made a deliberate choice after we did not field a team for the World Championships in Aachen. We took the funds that would have sent a team and invested them in the education and experience of our future horses and riders. Alongside our team-wide programming, these grants give each recipient further support to focus on the specific areas of their performance and development that most need improvement,” said Eventing Technical Advisor Rebecca Howard.
Four-time Canadian Olympian and National Team Program (NTP) A-squad member Michael Winter, who competes internationally from his base in England, will use his grant to connect competitive goals with targeted high-performance programming and training priorities for his up-and-coming horses Belgrave Irena and Billy Debussy. Winter described the grant as an opportunity “which aligns competitive goals with meaningful programming, in order to bridge the gap between competitive planning and results, by implementing strategy-based decision making.”
“I will continue to work hard to achieve with my team at home and Team Canada together,” he said.
Team selection is also front of mind for Waylon Roberts. Originally from Port Perry, ON and now based full-time in Aiken, SC, Roberts has represented Canada at two Pan American Games and campaigned a strong group of four-star horses in 2026.
“We look forward to utilizing this funding to access world-class instruction and continue developing the depth and quality of our string,” said Roberts. “Our goals are to make significant progress in dressage and show jumping, while developing at least four CCI4* horses as potential options for Canadian team selection. With the 2027 Pan American Games and 2028 Olympic Games in our sights, we are committed to building a program capable of competing at the highest level for Canada!”
Dressage is likewise the priority for Gabrielle Shank of Sturgeon County, AB, a member of EC’s 2026 Eventing U25 Development Squad with Billy. The pair finished ninth in the CCI3*-L at the Ocala International Festival of Eventing, before making their CCI4*-S debut at Aspen Farms in June. “This funding will allow me to continue building on the progress we’ve made this season, with a strong focus on improving our dressage performance and becoming more competitive at the CCI4* level,” said Shank.
Declan Bast, currently based in Florida, stepped up to CCI3* competition in 2026 with Je M’appelle Balou. The pair finished fourth in the CCI3*-S at TerraNova in March and 14th in the CCI3*-L at Tryon in May, jumping clear across country at both events, while Bast also recorded several national-level wins and placings with younger horses during the season. He said the grant “will be a great opportunity to upgrade my training in preparation for upcoming championships, as well as enhancing progress towards my goal of representing Canada at a major games.”
For Tik Maynard, the funding opens up access to coaching away from home. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Maynard is based in Ocala, FL.
“I’ll be using this funding for dressage support at competitions where I wouldn’t normally be able to receive on site coaching” said Maynard. “I’ll also be expanding my training to include jumper and dressage shows at venues with more atmosphere. Our goal is to represent Canada at the CCI4* and CCI5* levels at home and abroad.”
Recipients were selected through an application and review process conducted by the Eventing High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG). Applications were evaluated against published criteria including developmental impact, quality of the proposed opportunity, horse development, competitive exposure, feasibility and alignment with the high-performance pathway.
The Athlete Development Grant Program is intended to continue through at least 2028, with the goal of creating sustained opportunities for Canadian athletes and horses to gain the training and competitive experience required for progression toward CCI4*, CCI5* and international team competition.
The program is administered through the Eventing High Performance Advisory Group. Current HPAG members include Chair and Eventing Manager Dr. Emily Gilbert; selectors Bruce Haskell, Bruce Mandeville and Bonnie Mosser; Technical Advisor Rebecca Howard; and athlete representatives Shandiss McDonald and Michael Winter. Winter was recused from discussions relating to the grant applications because he was a candidate.
All photos Shannon Brinkman Photography