Junior Ambassadors
Our young leaders
This program recognizes young leaders within the Ontario hunter/jumper community providing opportunities for growth and development with an emphasis on community, responsibility, volunteerism, leadership, pride of place, and the opportunity to work with other leaders within the equestrian community. The OHJA recognizes the important voice that junior riders have in shaping the gold level horse show experience and wants these voices heard.
Junior Ambassadors will represent the OHJA in person at Ontario Gold Shows by means of award presentations, interactions with their fellow competitors, as well as other special events. These riders are respected by their peers and coaches alike. They bring a positive attitude and strong commitment to learning, both in and out of the show ring. They must be approachable, and will work closely with the OHJA Board of Directors advocating for Junior riders. They must represent the OHJA with a positive attitude, excellent sportsmanship and quality horsemanship.
Apply to be an OHJA Junior Ambassador
This program is open to current OHJA Junior Riders between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age as of January 1 of the current year.
Applications for OHJA Junior Ambassadors are due by February 1 of current year.
Application criteria:
- Completed application form
- Letter of intent from the applicant
- Record of relevant horse experience, including show results, other volunteer work etc.
- Signed participation waiver by parent or guardian
- Letter of reference from trainer, or other equine professional
A spotlight on
our ambassadors
Meredith Kitchen
Meredith rides at Windamere Equestrian Center and compete in the 1.10 Junior jumpers with her horse La Casita HDH. She is looking forward to a fun season with lots of great people and getting more experience in the 1.10’s! Fun fact: I used to do competitive dance!
Keira Bodnarchuk
Kiera rides at Pickering Horse Centre and shows her horse, Tigre Adelheid Z, in the 1.0m Jr/Am and Mini Medal. In 2024, Keira is looking forward to further developing Tigre, who is only 6 years old. Fun Fact: Tigre is the first horse Keira has owned.
Abbie McDonald
Abbie rides at Brookson Riding Academy. She competes in the 3 foot division on her horse Gatta Salza. Abbie is looking forward spending time at the barn and show with all her friends. She is also taking a big new step with her horse her horse this year. Fun Fact: Outside of horseback riding she loves gardening and sailing.
Amelia Gatti
Amelia rides out of Pickering Horse Centre on her horse Cali Hope Z. Amelia competes in the 1.10m Jr. Jumpers as well at the CET Medal. She hopes to gain confidence in the jumper and equitation rings, while experimenting with different heights. Fun Fact: Amelia previously showed in the Pony jumpers and loves skiing!
Emma Linde
Emma rides Kingsland out of Bayview Equestrian Centre, showing in the Medium Pony and Equitation Divisions. Emma is looking forward to meeting new friends, being confident during her rounds, and learning from each one. Fun Fact: A proud Christian, Emma prays before and after each round.
Sara Struk
Sara rides at Somersby Farm, and focuses on the Junior Hunters and Equitation. Although Sara is still looking for the right equine partner, she hopes to continue developing and gaining experience in all show rings. Fun Fact: Sara also plays basketball, with her team’s highlight playing at a CAIS tournament in Winnipeg!
Magdalena Kucha
Magdalena rides at Skyeridge and shows in the Large Pony Division on Caffeinated. Magdalena is hoping to have a consistent season, making new connections & friendships and qualify for the RAWF ’24. Fun Fact: Magdalena was born in Poland where she started her riding adventure, and before moving to Canada, she lived in New Zealand for a year.
Regan Cachia
Regan rides out of Woodwind South; showing Addeline in the 1.10m Jr. Jumpers. Her focus for 2025 is to be consistent in all her rounds. Fun Fact: Regan loves Disney World and hopes to one day be able to show in Florida.
Isabella Erlick
Isabella rides at Normandy Hills and is kept very busy with her three equine partners, Kilroy, KDW Z, and Krazy Express T. Isabella shows in the 1.30m and 1.40m Jumpers, Equitation Divisions, as well as showing Toucare in the National Grand Prix. In 2024, Isabella hopes to qualify for the young riders Pre-Junior team, qualify for the RAWF ’24 and continue to develop her horses. Fun Fact: Isabella used to be a competitive dancer.
Alexis Birmingham
Alexis, and her horse Times Square, ride with Westwater Farms. They show in the Children’s Hunters and the Childen’s Medal. They are hoping to have good, consistent and meeting new friends! Fun Fact: She is learning more about photography and primarily focusing on horse photography! Plus she is terrified of mice!
Keira Smith
Hi I’m Keira Smith, I’m 13 years old and I ride at Bayview Equestrian Centre. For the 2024 show season I will be showing Cuenta Atras and It’s Starpower. I am planning on continuing to do the Big Eq including the Jump Canada Medal as well the 1.20/1.25m division. My biggest goal for 2024 is to be on the NAYC FEI Children’s team. A fun fact is my horses look like twins but are not.
Cara Godwin
Cara rides at WGM Stables. You will see her in the Junior Hunters, Equitation Divisions, and the Derbies with both Uniko X and Denvrsemilly. Fun Fact: She used to be a competitive synchronized swimmer and play the violin.
Charlotte Ballantyne
Charlotte hopes to qualify for Pony Finals and RAWF for this 2025 season! Riding out of The Skyland Stables, Charlotte, and her horse Uptown Girl (a.k.a. Cindy) will be showing in the Large Pony Division this season. Before she focused her energy solely on her equestrian goals, she was a competitive figure skater for seven years.
Claire Coleshill
Claire is excited to be one of the OHJA’s Junior Ambassadors. This year she will be competing with her horse Samba in the 1.10m jumpers. Claire prides herself in her approachability to young riders, welcoming attitude and enthusiasm for our sport!
Clara Bell
Clara rides at Brookson Farm where she rides her horse PopRocks (aka Roxy). This year she plans to show in the Large Pony division. Fun fact: She has already passed her EC level 6 testing and her goal is to get her coaching licence as soon as she turns 16.
Grace Haggan
Grace shows in the Large Pony division with her pony Luke. As the 2025 show season approaches, Grace is looking forward to being around friends and horses but especially excited to show her pony for the fist time.