Zara Buren and Make My Day. Photo by Ian Woodley.
Applications are open for the 2024 Zara Buren Memorial Award, distributed each year in honor of Ontario young rider Zara Buren, who passed away in 2020 and whose horsemanship and bright spirit are remembered within the eventing community and beyond.
The Zara Buren Memorial Foundation was established with the focus on helping youth with the desire, talent, and work ethic to pursue their passion. The Memorial Foundation will support the Zara Buren Memorial Award to be given annually through the Ontario Eventing Association to a junior rider who exhibits a passion for eventing, sportsmanship and a commitment to their horse. Zara was a talented rider with an intense dedication to training and learning, always putting her horse first.
The Zara Buren Memorial Award provides financial support to a rider within the Ontario Equestrian Association, age 18 or under, who displays “horsemanship, sportsmanship and a positive attitude” as well as involvement within the community through mentorship, volunteering, etc.
You can read more about the award and the inspiration behind it in this EN article from 2021.
Applications are due by January 17. More information + the application can be found here. The award recipient will be announced around mid-February 2024.
