A 91原创-based rider has won the prestigious J.C. Anderson Legacy Medal, outpointing the best young riders in the country to take gold and win a $10,000 bursary to further her training.

Emma Woo, a 16-year-old South Surrey resident who rides out of Jump Start Stables in 91原创, becomes the first B.C. rider to win the award.

She competed in September in Calgary, riding her eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Hello Harry Z, but didn鈥檛 learn she was the national champion until Friday, Nov. 15, a few days before the official announcement by . on Monday, Nov. 18.

Woo said the win was a surprise.

鈥淚t was, like, a shock to me,鈥� she told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淚t took a little while to sink in.鈥�

Now the top Canadian junior rider in her sport, Woo hasn鈥檛 committed herself to competing as an adult.

鈥淚鈥檓 not super sure about that, just yet,鈥� she said.

READ ALSO: 91原创 show jumpers help secure top five finish in Morocco

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Coyle wins World cup at Thunderbird Show Park in 91原创

Horse Council manager of competition and sport, Ali Buchanan, described the Anderson award as 鈥渧ery prestigious.鈥�

鈥淲e were pretty thrilled for her,鈥� Buchanan commented.

Woo has been riding for the past five years in Aldergrove, with coach Ashley Papalia of Papalia Training.

The J.C. Anderson Legacy Medal is a skills-based jumper medal series open to young riders created to identify young riders 鈥渨ho have the potential to become Canada鈥檚 next high performance athletes,鈥� an online mission statement reads.

It describes the competition as 鈥渁 jumper equitation Medal series with classes held at competitions across the country at the 1.20m 鈥� 1.25m technical height.鈥�

Open to all equestrian athletes across the country under the age of 25, the award was created by John Anderson, a former show jumping rider with the Canadian equestrian team, and owner of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary.

To win, Woo had to outdo the top riders in the country in a format where the top 10 athletes from each region compete in the national final series held across the country.

Each final round was judged in real-time at the competitions, as well as video recorded for review by a panel of senior judges.

Ste虂phanie Leblond of Quebec won silver and a $7,000 bursary, while Serenity Enders of Alberta took bronze and a $5,000 bursary.

Smaller bursaries were also awarded to the next seven top finishers.

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter