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Zara Buren Memorial  Award

The Zara Buren Memorial Award was created to inspire riders of all ages across the province, setting the bar for excellence, sportsmanship and horsemanship. 

Zara Buren Memorial Foundation logo
Zara Buren and her horse Monkey.

Zara Buren Memorial Foundation

The Zara Buren Memorial Foundation was created by the Haque-Buren Family to honour the legacy of Zara Mathilde Buren, age 14, who died on September 21, 2020 trying to save her beloved horse. She will forever be remembered as an extraordinary child and exceptional athlete who gave love and kindness to every human and animal she encountered. She is missed beyond measure.

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​The Zara Buren Memorial Award was made possible through donations to the Foundation and with the support of the Ontario Eventing Association (OEA). The award was created to inspire riders of all ages across the province, setting the bar for excellence, sportsmanship and horsemanship. It is our hope that the traits recognized by this Award will continue to grow amongst all riders, and that the memories of Zara will carry on for those who were lucky enough to have known her and who continue to #rideforzara.

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​The Zara Buren Memorial Award is made available annually to an Ontario rider under the age of 18 as of January 1st of the Award year, who has competed at the EV110 (Preliminary) level or below, and who exhibits a passion for Eventing as well as commitment to their horse. The recipient receives $6,000 to support training, rider development and competition participation. The funds are distributed in three equal installments throughout the year, making it one of the most generous cash awards in Canadian Equestrian sport. The Haque-Buren Family also awards a number of Grants of Distinction ($1,000) and Grants of Potential ($500) at its discretion. The Award opens for applications in December, and a recipient is announced in February. The selection of recipients follows a rigorous evaluation process with the Selection Committee which includes OEA Board members.​

Zara Buren Memorial Award Application Form - 2025

The application for the 2025 Zara Buren Memorial Award is now available.

Applications must be received by midnight on Friday, January 24, 2025.

The recipient(s) will be announced on Monday, February 17, 2025.

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Award recipient - 2024

Alexa Maclaren of Vankleek Hill

The OEA and the Haque-Buren Family wish to congratulate Alexa Maclaren of Vankleek Hill, the 2024 recipient of the Zara Buren Memorial Award.

 

Congratulations also to the recipients of four Grants of Distinction: Laena Good (Manotick, ON), Nicola McLeod (Georgetown, ON), Addilyn Rolph (Brussels, ON) and Skylar Sanchez (Richmond Hill, ON), and to two recipients of Grants of Potential: Lachlan Alexander (Amaranth, ON) and Zoey Edwards (Wasaga Beach, ON).

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The Award and Grants are designed to help recipients cover costs to reach their eventing goals through assistance with training, travel and showing during the 2024 season.

Zara Buren Memorial Award recipient Alexa Maclaren riding her horse through the water on cross country.

Past award recipients

Read the past award and grant recipient announcements at the links below.

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