Brampton student wins first Kids & Horses scholarship

Kids & Horses Foundation is proud to announce that Krystal Campbell of Brampton is the first recipient of the Kids & Horses Scholarship.

Krystal, 18, a graduate of the co-op program at Central Peel Secondary School, has recently started the animal care program with Sheridan College, and hopes to graduate as a veterinary technician. Krystal also is the first graduate of the Kids & Horses Foundation lessons program. She was selected because of her great enthusiasm while working with horses, as well as for her academic achievement. This scholarship will help cover the cost of the Sheridan program.

"In January 2007 I began the first part of my studies with animals, thanks to the support of my family and friends, and a special thankyou to the Kids & Horses Foundation for awarding me a one-year scholarship to Sheridan College."

The Kids & Horses Foundation, founded in September 2005, is a nonprofit organization located in Caledon, dedicated to giving motivated children the opportunities to learn about horses. This can make a real difference in their lives. Besides offering camps and lessons, the Foundation has established the Kids & Horses Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduate of the program, wishing to pursue college level studies, leading to a career involving horses.

The foundation believes that learning good horsemanship provides long term benefits for children. The sense of achievement and increased self esteem participants receive from being in the program are best captured by Krystal's own words:

"I had also entered the winter 2006 horse show at the school. I practiced very hard ... I did very well and I got first place in the 'riding test.' However, that wasn't what made me so proud of myself. What made me so proud was the fact that I had improved my score from the last show, which told me that I was a better rider!

"With my confidence and self-esteem on the rise, I was able to help out other riders with their horses and their duties. Even when I would have to wait for my brother to finish his lesson I helped out in the barn. I had even applied to work in a pet shop full-time until it was time to attend college in January 2007. I am happy to announce that I did indeed get the job. My interviewer told me that she admired my confidence in my abilities and that was one of the reasons she hired me."

Any Peel families who want to participate in the March Break riding camp offered by the Caledon Parks and Recreation Department, and who need help paying for it, can apply to the Kids & Horses Foundation about the requirements.

Kids & Horses Foundation is partly funded through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and through the generosity of private individuals and local businesses. For more information, please contact the Horses & Kids Foundation at 905-880-8711 or by email at info@kidsandhorses.ca.