Equine Guelph has announced Shawna Ward as the recipient of the 2022 Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award.
Ward is no stranger to continuing education, with 30 years of experience in the equine industry and four Equine Guelph 12-week courses under her belt already. Ward’s family has been involved with Standardbreds for three generations.
“The four Equine Guelph courses I’ve completed so far have played an essential part in ensuring my horses are happy, healthy and have the best care possible,” explained Ward.
Ward was only nine when she got her groom license at Elmira Raceway and has since progressed to owning racehorses, obtaining her trainer license, and in 2019 purchased a broodmare named Dreamfair Zoya. In 2022, she watched the two-year-old offspring from her mare race in the Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots. Ward accepts the long workdays in what she has chosen as a career and way of life and embraces the opportunities to learn something new each day.
“I am very grateful for this award, it means a lot to me,” said Ward. “Last year was a very difficult year and put further Equine Guelph courses on hold. This award will allow me to continue to work towards completing a Diploma in Equine Studies. I want to thank David L’Heureux and Family, and Crystal Fountains Inc. for this generous gift.”
Selected for their love of horses, commitment to their welfare and desire to learn, winners of this tuition award 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).
Ward began taking Equine Guelph’s courses through the continuing education program at University of Guelph in 2017 - Management of the Equine Environment, Equine Business Finance and Risk Management, Equine Health and Disease Prevention, and Equine Nutrition.
“I enjoy the courses,” said Ward. “They make me take a step back and take a hard look at what I am doing and how I can make improvements and changes for the better.”
Ward has her sights set on Equine Behaviour for the next summer semester and Management of the Broodmare, Stallion, and Foal offered in fall 2023. Once accomplished, this will leave Ward with only four courses left to achieve her goal of obtaining her Diploma in Equine Studies.
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. Submissions will be accepted for this year’s applicants until Nov. 30, 2023. Applications are available on the Equine Guelph website here.
(Equine Guelph)