Equine Guelph has announced that Catherine Chouinard, a groom of 10 years that is also an employee of Standardbred Canada’s member services department, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award.
Chouinard has been selected as the ‘Stocks' award winner for 2017 for her demonstrated love and dedication to racehorses. Courtesy of her selection, Chouinard has won two free online courses through Equine Guelph (each valued at $549 – certificates are available in Equine Science, Equine Welfare and Equine Business).
"I would like to thank the amazing people at Equine Guelph and the Stocks family," said Chouinard, who has been an employee of Standardbred Canada for the past four years. "The Stuart Stock Memorial Award will give me the opportunity to learn more about the field and animals that I love. I will be able to use the information and techniques I learn in class to become a more knowledgeable horse owner, who can care for and develop amazing equine athletes. Thank you so much to everyone that helped make this possible."
The Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award has been created by the Stocks family in memory of their beloved brother, son and uncle, Mr. Stuart Stocks. Stuart was born in Sheffield, England in 1957. He struggled throughout his life with a multitude of medical issues, yet had a dry sense of humour, a zest for life, and love for horses.
With aspirations to open her own rehabilitation facility for racehorses, Chouinard is eyeing up two courses that will help her plan ahead with the business end: Marketing and Communications and Equine Business Risk Management. "It is a tough choice as I want to take all the offerings," Chouinard said.
Grooms in the racing industry with a valid Groom licence for horse racing in Ontario may apply year-round for this excellent opportunity to further their knowledge and advance their skills in the equine industry. Next year's winner will be announced before the end of 2018.
For more information on the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award, click here.
(With files from Equine Guelph)