Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the winners for the 2015 Atlantic Bursary program. Each student will receive a $1,000 bursary towards their post secondary education for the 2015-2016 academic term.
The winners are:
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Leah Craig of Kinkora, PEI
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Myles ‘Bo’ Ford of Charlottetown, PEI
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Brett LeBlanc of New Waterford, NS
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Jacob MacKinnon of Souris, PEI
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Molly Murphy of Augustine Cove, PEI
Leah Craig will be starting a Bachelor of Science Program at the University of Prince Edward Island in the fall. Named ‘Groom of the Year’ by the Prince County Horseman’s Club last year, harness racing has been a family affair, as she’s worked the last five years as a groom for her father and others in the racing community. Craig’s career goal is to become a Pediatrician.
Myles ‘Bo’ Ford has finished up his first year at Holland College, studying Marketing and Advertising and hopes to pursue a career in marketing and broadcasting after he completes his program. This third-generation horseman has spent much of his time working for various stables, and has been involved as an owner, trainer and groom. He has recently taken on a role as a racing broadcaster at Red Shores.
Brett LeBlanc will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Cape Breton University this fall. Introduced to the sport at a young age by his parents, his interest continued to grow with time. LeBlanc began as an owner and groom at the age of 12 and received his trainer’s license last year. He hopes to pursue a career in the medical field upon graduation.
Jacob MacKinnon will be studying in the Biology program at the University of Prince Edward Island starting in September. Coming from a racing family, MacKinnon was involved in the 4-H Standardbred Program in his community. He has been responsible for stable maintenance, as well as the care of racehorses. He intends to pursue a career as a Wildlife Biologist.
Molly Murphy will be starting at Dalhousie University in the fall, studying Pre-Vet Medicine in the Faculty of Agriculture in the hopes of becoming a large animal vet. Molly has been an amateur driver on the PEI Matinee Circuit since the age of 14. In her first year, she won the championship race and was named Rookie Driver of the Year. She has many years of work as a groom under her belt and recently wrote her trainer’s exam. She has been helping her father with their family’s horses for as long as she can remember, doing barn chores, paddocking and jogging. She currently works as a groom for Blaine McKenna.
The bursaries were awarded based on active involvement in the harness racing community, academics and financial need. Applicants were also required to submit an essay on one of the following topics:
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What would be a positive game changer for harness racing?
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What type of event would you create at a racetrack to engage youth in harness racing and why?
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How would you use social media to promote /generate awareness for harness racing?
The Atlantic Bursary Program is supported and funded by various organizations from the Atlantic Provinces and Standardbred Canada. Partners from the Atlantic Provinces include Horse Racing New Brunswick, the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association, Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association, and the 'Stretch Drive Fund,' a fund created by the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commissions race officials.
Standardbred Canada and all of the partners from the Atlantic Provinces would like to extend their congratulations to the winners and thank all of the students who submitted applications for bursaries.