JUNE 2024 THE RIDER /3 OEEEP Theriault is beyond transparent Continued from Page 1


ploding from within. Most times, there is no warning or even a subtle hint that life is about to change in a way never contemplated. No signs, until the par- alyzing anxiety attacks make the world increasingly smaller and threat- ening.


Human beings have the innate


ability to anticipate the future. Based on experience and possibility, our minds tell us what may happen and that’s a good thing, except when the mind becomes obsessed with negativ- ity and the world turns into a very scary place. Anxiety is an extremely difficult


mental health issue to treat. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and prescription medication, separate or jointly, is the usual course of treatment. Millions of people often suffer in silence for years before seeking help. Sadly, some never recover from the depths of de- spair and hopelessness. Unlike a broken limb or a


wound, mental health isn’t visible to the naked eye. It’s not well understood and is exacerbated by people’s lack of compassion and empathy. Anxiety dis- orders can lead to extreme darkness and social isolation. It can happen to anyone. Each of us may be just one unknown trigger away from its grips. For Anne Theriault, that trigger


was the brutal murder of her sister-in law.


when describing her experience. She can recall every small detail as though it were happening in real time. She verbally painted a picture, disturbing beyond description. That horrific scene lives within her mind and is with her every day. It’s incredibly gruesome. For our purposes, the ac- count will be condensed. Anne’s sister-in-law had fallen


into the grips of human trafficking. Seeking affection, excitement but mostly love and approval, this young woman had joined in with the wrong crowd. Instead of love and acceptance, she was abused and beaten. When she finally tried to escape and move on with her life she was brutally mur- dered by her captors. Suddenly, a flood of childhood


memories stormed Anne Theriault’s mind. She was unable to cope or func- tion. Work was out of the question. Just getting through a day was a mon- umental challenge. Getting out of bed was a major accomplishment. Then it happened. The dream. Theriault recalls the experience


vividly, almost poetically. Struggling to sleep, longing for peace, refuge, a temporary escape from the demons tormenting her soul, she had a very vivid and life-altering dream. The ex- pression on her face lit the room as she recalled that experience. “I was in a barn. I’m not sure


what barn because I had never been in one before. I could see, hear, taste, feel, smell and recall every aspect of the dream. The strange thing is that I had never been around horses. But it was so real. My senses were never so alive. It was like my mind was calling me to my proper place.” The next morning, Theriault lit-


erally bursting with newfound energy and enthusiasm, fired up her computer and Googled “how to work with horses.” Up popped OEEEP.


She registered for the pro-


gramme, enrolled in the on-line train- ing and was assigned her experiential placement. The rest, as they say, is his- tory.


She quickly arranged to share-


board a saddle horse and fastidiously learned every step of horse steward- ship, voraciously reading, consuming and embracing everything she could about equine care, physiology and psychology. Today, Anne Theriault is a proud


graduate of OEEEP. She has landed employment as a therapeutic riding in- structor. She has her heart set on an exciting future. Her goal is to establish a programme connecting horses to human mental health. Her ultimate ob- jective is to run a program linking vic- tims of human trafficking to equine therapy. Anne Theriault had a dream. In


her words that dream saved her life. Horses saved her life. And now she is determined to do the same for others. Anne’s infectious enthusiasm is


inextricably linked to her renewed zest for life. She wants to bring that opti- mism to others who struggle daily in their own deep, dark place. Those who suffer in silence. She wants to be their voice and let them know that a better, more complete life is possible. Anne Theriault will positively


change the world for people who have yet to encounter her grace and courage. She already has. When she tells her story her audience is mesmer- ized in support and solidarity. She is a natural communicator. OEEEP, OHHA and our partners


in government are privileged to sup- port Anne Theriault on every step of her beautiful journey, Day by day. One step at a time. From despair to hope, darkness to light, a beautiful equine companion faithfully by her side. The dream has become reality.


Congratulations To The 2023 Equestrian Canada National Award Recipients!


Ottawa, ON, May 15, 2024 – Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce the 2023 National Award recip- ients, recognized for their impressive achievements and contributions to the growth and success of the Canadian equestrian com- munity. EC would like to


thank everyone who partic- ipated in the 2023 EC Na- tional Awards process, including the many individ- uals who submitted nomina- tions to support deserving individuals. Across the board, the quality of the nominations was extremely high, which is a testament to the world-class athletes, owners, officials, organiza- tions, volunteers, and sup- porters within the Canadian equestrian industry. Please join us in con-


gratulating the following re- cipients. Stories and more information on the winners will be published in the coming weeks!


2023 EC National Award Recipients


Lifetime Achievement Award Craig Collins


Equestrian of the Year – The Dr. George Jacobsen Trophy Lindsay Traisnel


Junior Equestrians of the Year – The Gillian Wilson Trophy William Martin


Horse of the Year Bacyrouge Owner: Patricia Pearce


Canadian Bred Horse of the Year Summerwood’s


Limei


(Londonderry x Weltmeyer) Owner: Beatrice Boucher Breeder: Lynda Tétreault & Claude Ménard


Owner of the Year Patricia Pearce


Canadian Breeder of the Year, Presented by John Deere Tara Lambie


Coach of the Year Jeanine van der Sluijs


Official of the Year Peter Gray


Volunteer of the Year Patricia Frewen-Lord


EC would also like to


thank the Recognition and Awards Committee for their time and effort in selecting the recipients, with support and input from EC stake- holders and experts. The 2023 EC Awards Commit- tee is comprised of Peggy Hambly (Chair), Jennifer Anstey, Julie Brewster, Ali- son Martin, and Taylor McRae. For more information, i


v s i t


www.equestrian.ca/about/na tional-awards.


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