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Eventing High Performance Travel Grant

Eventing High Performance Announces the Country Yucca Travel Grants for U25 Athletes

Ottawa, ON – September 30, 2025 – Equestrian Canada’s Eventing High Performance Advisory Group is pleased to announce the Country Yucca Eventing Travel Grants for U25 athletes, designed to assist young Canadian eventing riders in furthering their competition experience either across North America or overseas.

These grants have been established and named in honour of Country Yucca, a pony with a huge heart and personality ridden by Nick Holmes-Smith, who later represented the Canadian Eventing Team at the Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 Olympics.

“In the 1970’s to early 1990’s as an eventing competitior I struggled to afford the costs of traveling and competing. I am now very happy to be able to help today’s riders with their financial challenges” says Holmes-Smith.

Emily Gilbert, chair of the Eventing High Performance Committee remarked: “We are deeply grateful to Nick Holmes-Smith for his generous support of the Eventing HPAG’s vision and strategy. His commitment helps us expand programming and opportunities for U25 athletes and exemplifies the spirit of giving back to the sport of Eventing.”

 

Awarded once per calendar year, grants will be distributed to up to four recipients at the discretion of the selection committee. $20,000 CAD total will be awarded once per year with grants of $5,000 for travel within North America or $10,000 for overseas travel.

The grant must be used toward:

  • Travel expenses (flights, fuel, horse transport)
  • Entry fees and stabling
  • Accommodation during the event
  • Veterinary and health certificates for travel
  • Other approved competition-related costs

Eligibility: To be considered for the grant, applicants must:

  1. Be aged 16–25 as of January 1 of the competition year
  2. Be actively competing at the Training level or above
  3. Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  4. Demonstrate financial need and clear competitive goals
  5. Have a plan to compete outside of their home region, either across North America or internationally
  6. Be in good standing with Equestrian Canada

The selection committee will take into account the competition performance record of the athlete/horse combination, giving specific consideration to Athlete/horse combinations who have achieved a Target Performance Result as outlined in the full criteriaPreference will be given to Athlete/Horse combinations having completed a CCI2*-L or higher.

For the 2026 competition season the application timeline is as follows:

  • Applications Open: October 1, 2025
  • Deadline to Apply: November 1, 2025
  • Recipients Notified: December 1, 2025

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following information to the Eventing HPAG at [email protected]

1. A personal statement (max. 750 words) including:

  • Your competition goals
  • Why this grant is important to your development
  • How you plan to use the funds

2. An outline of travel plans

3. A detailed budget breakdown of estimated travel expenses

4. One reference letter from a coach, mentor, or federation official

5. A competition resume from the last 2 years

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