Applications are now open for the 2026 Zara Buren Memorial Award, an annual grant supported through the Ontario Eventing Association (OEA) and the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation to help junior eventers pursue their goals while honoring the legacy of Zara Buren, who is remembered as a kind, hard-working, and talented young rider.
Now entering its sixth year, the award is designed to support not just competitive ambition, but the bigger picture of who a rider is: their journey with horses, their work ethic, and what they’re learning as a student of the sport. Zara’s mother, Sabrina Haque (Director of the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation), encourages applicants to take time to learn about Zara and to use the application answers to share their story beyond results and ribbons.
What’s available in 2026
One selected applicant will receive $6,000, distributed in three equal installments of $2,000. At the discretion of the Haque/Buren family and the Zara Buren Memorial Foundation, additional awards may also be granted, including:
- Up to four “Grants of Distinction” of $1,000
- $500 “Grants of Potential”
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- A current OEA member in good standing
- Competing up to the EV110 level
- Under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2026
How to apply
- Applications opened December 22, 2025 and close at midnight on January 19, 2026.
- A complete application includes:
- The completed application form (submitted by the deadline), and
- Two letters of reference, submitted by the deadline:
- One from the applicant’s eventing coach, including a brief discussion of training goals
- One from someone outside eventing (teacher, coach, employer, volunteer coordinator, etc.) showing positive involvement in school or community life
Letters of reference must be emailed to [email protected] by the closing date, with the applicant’s name in the subject line. PDF format is preferred when possible.
Applicants may also submit a video with their horse to the same email address, but it is optional.
Important note from the organizers: incomplete, incorrectly completed, or late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will receive an automatic acknowledgement confirming receipt.
Key dates to know
- Applications open: December 22, 2025
- Complete application due: Midnight (end of day), Monday, January 19, 2026
- Notification date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Successful recipient(s) will be notified by email and are expected to share their journey with the OEA throughout the year as the recipient(s) of the award.
More information and an application form can be found here.
