GRIT Application

Deadline: December 8, 2022

The GRIT program is for equestrians between the ages of 13-30 who have a strong work ethic, determination, and the ability to dig deep to achieve their goals. GRIT is targeted at athletes that are on the podium pathway in show jumping, eventing, and dressage.

1. Athletes are required to be an Ontario resident and, if under the age of 18, registered in school full time (or full time equivalent approved by the athlete’s school);

2. Athletes must possess, or be eligible to receive, a valid Canadian passport;

3. Athletes, parents and coaches are required to sign the GRIT Code of Conduct, Program Waiver and GRIT Athlete Contract;

4. Athletes riding a leased or sponsored horse are required to have the approval of the owner to participate in the GRIT program, including travel to qualifying competitions and training events as outlined in the program overview;

5. Athletes are required to be between 13 and 30 years of age and have at least three 2022 competition results at the Gold level in one or more of the three Olympic disciplines as follows:

*Note – Age determined as of January 1, 2023

Group 1: 13 – 16 years

I. Dressage – Level 1 or 2, FEI Junior or Young Riders – three competitions results 67% or higher

II. Show Jumping – 1.20M – 1.30M – three placings in competition

III. Eventing – Modified/Training Level, CCI 1* – three silver competition results with 0 Cross Country jumping penalties and a finishing score of 45 penalties or less or that achieve MER

Group 2: 17 – 20 years

I. Dressage – Level 2 or 3, Young Riders or U25 – three competition results 67% or higher

II. Show Jumping – 1.30M – 1.40M – three placings in competition

III. Eventing – Preliminary Level, CCI 2* – three competition results that achieve MER

Group 3: 21 – 25 years

I. Dressage – FEI and U25 Open Division – three competition results 67% or higher

II. Show Jumping – 1.35M or higher – three placings in competition

III. Eventing – Intermediate Level, CCI 3* – three competition results that achieve MER

Group 4: 25 – 30 years

I. Dressage – FEI – three competition results 67% or higher

II. Show Jumping – 1.4M or higher – three placings in competition

III. Eventing – Advanced Level, CCI 4* / CCI 5* – three competition results that achieve MER

Group 5: 13 – 30 years

I. Dressage – FEI Young Horse Classes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds – three competition results 67% or higher

Definition of an FEI Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER)
( FEI Art 517 )

A Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) is achieved by completing a competition within minimum parameters of all-round performance as follows:

  • Dressage test: Not more than 45 penalty points ( 55%)
  • Cross Country test: Clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain MER result on cross country). Not more than 75 seconds exceeding the optimum time in the Cross Country Test for one, two, three, and four-star competitions and 100 seconds at five-star competitions.
  • Jumping test: Not more than 16 penalties at obstacles.

6. Athletes must ride with a coach holding a current Coach Status;

7. Athletes must participate in program training including:

  1. Canadian Sport Institute of Toronto (CSIO – Pan Am Centre) athlete training and testing sessions;
  2. Cross Discipline Training Camp – October 13-15, 2023 at Adena Springs North;
  3. One-on-one training sessions with the GRIT Head Coach;
  4. Online education and training sessions;
  5. Additional training and education sessions offered for coaches and parents;

8. Athletes are required to wear GRIT apparel during training and competition events;

9. Athletes are required to submit monthly competition updates to OE, within two weeks of the end of each month including:

  1. The name, location and date of competition
  2. A description of the competition class
  3. The number of entries
  4. The number of finishes
  5. The athletes placing and points on each round/ phase/class
  6. Details of any injuries that may have been sustained by the rider or horse during the competition

10. Any athlete and/or horse who is unable to participate fully in the program due to injury must report the circumstances to the GRIT Head Coach to determine how the athletes training program (including unmounted training) can be modified;

11. All horses and athletes participating in the program may be subject to randomized drug testing, per Equestrian Canada guidelines. Any failed drug test will result in removal from the program;

12. Athletes will be required to pay for some of their expenses associated with GRIT program participation.

Note: OE will not guarantee but will seek sponsorships to offset team and event costs where possible. For more information, please visit ontarioequestrian.ca/grit-great-rider-intensive-training/