Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Eventing High Performance Athlete Development Grant Program, a new initiative designed to help Canada’s high-performance eventing athletes access exceptional training and competitive opportunities that will accelerate their development toward international success.
With applications now open and a submission deadline of August 1, 2026, the program provides targeted financial support for athletes pursuing training, coaching, competition, and development opportunities within Canada, across North America, and internationally. Grant recipients will be announced on August 24, 2026.
The Athlete Development Grant Program has been established to reduce financial and logistical barriers that can limit access to high-quality development experiences. The program is intended to foster long-term athlete progression while strengthening Canada’s future international eventing pipeline.
Funding is available across three grant tiers:
- Major Development Grants – up to $15,000 for significant initiatives such as overseas training, international competition tours, and extended development opportunities with high-performance coaches.
- Training Grants – up to $7,500 for focused development opportunities, including training camps, competition travel, and specialized coaching support.
- Supplemental Grants – up to $3,000 for targeted initiatives such as clinics, coaching sessions, competition preparation, and owner engagement activities.
The program is designed to support opportunities that deliver measurable athlete and horse development, increased competitive exposure, enhanced horsepower, stronger athlete-owner relationships, and progression toward future 4* and 5* competition, with the ultimate goal of preparing athletes for international team representation. Further information can be found in this PDF.
Eligible applicants must be members in good standing with Equestrian Canada, have achieved at least one CCI3*-L Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) between January 1, 2025 and August 1, 2026, and demonstrate a clear long-term high-performance development plan reviewed in consultation with Eventing High Performance Technical Advisor Rebecca Howard.
Applications will be evaluated by the Eventing High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG) using a transparent scoring rubric that assesses developmental impact, quality of opportunity, horse development, competitive exposure, alignment with the High Performance pathway, and overall application quality.
Equestrian Canada intends for the Athlete Development Grant Program to continue annually through at least 2028, providing sustained investment in Canada’s next generation of high-performance eventing athletes.
Athletes interested in applying are encouraged to review the complete program guidelines and prepare their applications well in advance of the August 1 deadline. For additional information about the 2026 Eventing High Performance Athlete Development Grant Program, including eligibility requirements and application details, please contact: Dr. Emily Gilbert, Manager, Eventing High Performance – Equestrian Canada at [email protected].
