Support for Orléans’ sports programs extends to rurals’ best
Cumberland Ward City Councillor and amateur sports’ champion Stephen Blais was pleased to donate to Carter Sullivan, a high school senior student and one of Ottawa’s finest equestrians. Councillor Blais’ support will help offset costs for Carter to compete in the Ontario Silver Dressage Championships and the Canadian Interprovincial Championships this summer.
“Cumberland Ward has a diverse and active sports culture that produces premier athletes from various sports,” says Councillor Blais. “I am pleased to help Carter, one of our rural area’s finest athletes, as she strives to be the best in a very difficult sport.”
In 2013, Carter was 4th overall in the province for training level dressage and since then has been working hard to move up levels. She currently owns a Canadian Warm Blood Trakehner/Oldenburg named Salem who is a gelding and stands about 16.2hh.
“With the help of Councillor Stephen Blais, I will have more time to train and prepare for Ontario Silver Dressage Championships,” says Carter Sullivan. “We have great facilities in Ottawa and Cumberland and I hope his sponsorship and promotion helps encourage growth of Equestrian throughout our community.”
According to the International Equestrian Federation, “Dressage” is the highest expression of horse training, where horse and rider perform from memory a series of predetermined movements. The goal of the sport is to highlight and maximize a horse’s overall natural athletic physical abilities and willingness to perform.
“Carter is a brilliant person and her level of professionalism in such a difficult sport is truly impressive beyond her years,” added Councillor Blais. I am confident that she will represent our community well at the upcoming championships.”
The Ontario Silver Dressage Championships are being held on September 12, 2015 at a farm in Ashton and the 2015 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships will be held September 25-27, 2015 in Ottawa.
The funds were raised by private donors through the annual Action Orléans Golf Classic started by Councillor Blais and donated on behalf of Action Orléans – a not for profit club that has been helping arts, sports, and other groups throughout Ottawa.