Equine Guelph has announced the recipients of its 2020 tuition awards. Victoria Chellew is the recipient of the Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award and Jason Copeman has received the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award.

Selected for their love of horses, commitment to their welfare and desire to learn, both winners will receive two online courses through Equine Guelph valued at $549 each (Certificates are available in Equine Science, Equine Welfare and Equine Business – six courses complete the certificate).

“Horses have always been a great comfort for me in times of difficulty,” says Victoria Chellew. “It is important to me to return the favour by educating myself to provide the best care I can for horses.”

Chellew aspires to be a facilities manager and plans to use the tools learned through Equine Guelph to provide excellent horse welfare for the horses in her care, starting with Management of the Equine Environment.

“My adoration for this industry started from a very young age,” says Chellew. “I was always eager and inspired to immerse myself in as many sectors possible in the industry.” With no other place on earth being as peaceful as the barn, Chellew is intent on a career with horses.

Brought into the racing industry through a shared passion with his uncle, Jason Copeman has been a Thoroughbred co-owner for the past five years. Coming through the ranks of groom and working for both Standardbred and Thoroughbred trainers, Copeman says, “I’ve had my heart set on training my own horses in the near future. Our season ended abruptly due to COVID and now seems like the perfect time to expand my equine knowledge through school since I am no longer able to do so hands-on.”

Copeman has learned from different trainers the importance of always having the best interests of the horse at heart and to keep learning as much as possible about horse welfare. Copeman is signing up for Equine Functional Anatomy as the first of his two courses awarded to move one step closer to his goal of becoming a trainer.

The Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award was established in loving memory of Standardbred driver, trainer and groom, Roger L’Heureux by David L’Heureux and Crystal Fountains Inc.

The Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award has been created by the Stocks family in memory of their beloved brother, son and uncle, and avid follower of top thoroughbred racehorses, Mr. Stuart Stocks.

Submissions will be accepted for this year’s applicants until Nov. 30, 2021.

(Equine Guelph)