Ontario Eventing Association Zara Buren Memorial Award Application Form

Dear Applicant,

Zara Buren was an incredibly kind, hard-working and talented young rider. To honour her memory, we founded the Zara Buren Memorial Award with the help of the OEA, and we are now in our 5th year of helping junior eventers reach their goals. Before you complete this application, take the time to read about Zara and understand what this Award is about. Through the answers, make sure we get to know who you are as a person, your journey with horses, and what makes you a great student in the sport of Eventing. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Sabrina Haque (Zara’s Mom & Director, Zara Buren Memorial Foundation)

INFORMATION

The Zara Buren Memorial Award will be awarded as follows: One applicant will be awarded a total of $6,000 (six thousand dollars) to be distributed in 3 equal instalments of $2,000 on March 1, June 1 and September 1, 2025.

The Haque/Buren family and the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation may also award up to four Grants of Distinction of $1,000 (one thousand dollars) and additionally, $500 (five hundred dollar) Grants of Potential, at their discretion.

Applicant Eligibility:

A current OEA member in good standing and competing up to the EV110 Level.
Under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2025.

Guidelines for Submission:

Applications open on December 20, 2024 and close at midnight on January 24, 2025.
All applicants MUST complete this Application Form in full and submit it by the closing date.

Please include TWO (2) LETTERS OF REFERENCE with your application:
A reference letter from your Eventing coach, including a brief discussion of your training goals.

A reference letter from someone outside Eventing (for example, a teacher, coach, employer or a volunteer coordinator) demonstrating positive involvement in school or community life.
Letters of Reference must be uploaded to the space provided at the end of this Application Form.

Applicants may submit a video with their horse, but it is not required. If you would like to share a video please load it to a platform such as You Tube or Vimeo and attach the link to the video in the space provided at the end of this Application Form.

COMPLETE APPLICATIONS (APPLICATION FORM WITH 2 LETTERS OF REFERENCE) ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025.

Incorrectly completed, incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted.

All applicants will receive an automatic acknowledgment of receipt of their application.

The successful applicant(s) will be notified by email on Monday, February 17, 2025 and agree to share their journey with the OEA throughout the year as the recipient of this prestigious award.

Applicant Information

First and Last Names

OEA Membership Number

Email

Date of Birth

Address

Phone Number

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Email & Phone Number

Coach Name

What is the highest level you have competed at?

Current Horse's Name

Relation to horse

PERSONAL STATEMENT: Please tell us why you think you would be a good candidate for this award. (250 word limit)

0/250

EVENTING EXPERIENCE TO DATE: Briefly describe your pathway to where you are now in your Eventing journey. This might include, for example, success achieved in competition and/or training, along with challenges you might have faced. (250 word limit)

0/250

HORSEMANSHIP: Briefly describe what good horsemanship means to you. Please provide an example, of how you have demonstrated good horsemanship and the importance of a positive attitude. (250 word limit)

0/250

SPORTSMANSHIP: Briefly describe what good sportsmanship means to you. Please provide an example of how you have demonstrated good sportsmanship and the importance of a positive attitude. (250 word limit)

0/250

TRAINING GOALS: Briefly describe your current riding/training program, including resources available, challenges that you may be working to overcome with your horse, barriers to training (for example, affordability or access to schooling opportunities, clinics, or showing) and/or goals for the 2025 season. How might receiving this award help you achieve your goals? (250 word limit)

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GIVING BACK: Briefly describe any involvement in both your Eventing community and in your community outside of Eventing (i.e., school, other community, neighbourhood, other sports). How do you demonstrate commitment and/or leadership and act as a positive role model? (250 word limit)

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MEANINGFUL ACHIEVEMENTS UNRELATED TO EVENTING: Briefly describe one or two achievements that you are most proud of. For example, these could be related to academics or other sports, to caring for family, friends or others in your community. (250 word limit)

0/250

DECLARATION OF STEWARDSHIP: I as an applicant for the Zara Buren Memorial Award, agree to uphold character traits similar to those demonstrated by Zara, to celebrate her legacy: to have a positive attitude, encourage my fellow riders, and put the welfare of my horse first, so that everyone can have their best day.

Applicant Signature:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date:

Date

Please upload your reference letters below before submitting.

Upload here

Web link to videos (You Tube, Vine, Instagram, etc). Please ensure video is set to public through the link.