Tonya Henning Named Recipient of the 2005 Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy

Tonya Henning receives the 2005 Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy from Nanci Scriver at the CSI-W Caledon Summer Festival in Palgrave, ON. Photo credit – Cealy Tetley

Tonya Henning of Cambridge, ON, was named the recipient of the Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy at the CSI-W Caledon Summer Festival held August 3-7, 2005, in Palgrave, ON.

The Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy is awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points in the 1.20m, 1.30m and 1.40m divisions, making them the overall Junior/Amateur Grand Champion. This year, that honour was bestowed on Henning, 20, and her 11-year-old chestnut Argentinean-bred gelding, El Capricho Patrick. The pair’s impressive results at the Caledon Summer Festival included winning Sunday’s $2,500 Junior/Amateur Classic. Mill Creek Stables purchased El Capricho Patrick as a six-year-old, and Henning has formed a strong partnership with the horse.

“He’s the horse that is the most fun for me to ride because he really enjoys his job,” said Henning who, one week earlier, had made her debut at the North American Young Riders’ Championship in Lexington, VA. “He knows what going to the horse shows is all about, and he loves going into the ring. He tries so hard every time and, this year, he has been in the top five in almost every class that he’s entered.”

Past winners of the Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy include Ashlee Burness, Carly Campbell Cooper, Liz Gayford, Lauren Hayes, Myra Simard and Kelley Small.

“I am proud and humbled to have won this award since so many other good riders have won it before me,” said Henning who is based at Mill Creek Stables in Cambridge, ON, where she trains with Dutch native, Sebastien Kapel.

Paul Scriver was very involved in the horse industry and, although a talented rider, preferred to stay behind-the-scenes. He worked for such notable names as Danny Foster and Barb Mitchell at Heritage Farms and David and Sandi Ballard at Looking Back Farms, but it was after taking on the responsibility of driving horse trailers that Paul so sadly lost his life.

Established in 1997, the Paul Scriver Memorial Trophy was presented during the prize giving ceremony of the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix on Sunday. Paul greatly enjoyed watching the junior and amateurs compete, and felt that they deserved to be recognized alongside the professionals, who receive the bulk of the sponsorship, prize money and attention.

“I think it was really thoughtful of Paul to have looked deeper into the sport instead of just at the glamour of Grand Prix Sunday when the focus is on the professionals,” said Henning. “It is wonderful that his family has established this award to recognize people who, even though they are not at the grand prix level, are working hard and putting in an effort.”

Paul’s older sister by ten months, Nanci Scriver, presented the trophy on behalf of her family.

“Although I don't know Tonya personally, riding is a passion that requires a lot of hard work and dedication and she must have both to be doing so well at this point in her career,” noted Nanci Scriver.