This scholarship is to be presented in the memory of Dr. Byrnne Rothwell in recognition of the contributions he made to the equine industry within the province of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Byrnne Rothwell was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, and was involved with animals and in volunteerism from an early age. He started as a 4-H member and for 65 years he was either a member, leader, mentor or a part of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council.
Graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1964, he practiced in Mission, BC, Wakaw and Birch Hills, SK, before settling in Shellbrook, SK in 1970. During this time he also served on the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association committee, including the Council, and was President in 1976-1977. In 1987 he sold his private practice and joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, working in locations that included Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. Dr. Rothwell’s incredible career included many accolades and awards, and he was highly sought after for advice from governments and non-profit organizations alike. He was a lifetime member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Rothwell was a long-serving member of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation Board of Directors and following his retirement from the CFIA, continued serving the Federation by assisting with preparation of the organization’s disease alerts and health recommendations. He was also a valued volunteer on the Equine Canada Health and Welfare Committee. In 2000, Dr. Rothwell was named Saskatchewan Veterinarian of the Year. In 2011, he was awarded the Equine Welfare Leadership Award of Distinction from The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation, for integrating animal welfare into his core business strategy and setting the bar higher for expectations regarding animal welfare.
In January of 2014, Dr. Byrnne Rothwell passed away, and in 2015 he was posthumously inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in recognition of the contributions he made to the equine industry in the province of Saskatchewan.
Application Criteria:
- Must be a Saskatchewan resident
- Must be entering second year of schooling at a post-secondary institution (in Fall of application year)
- Must demonstrate passion for equine industry
- Must have been an SHF member of good standing for two consecutive years, including year of application
- Link to application criteria
Submission Requirements:
- Proof of residence (Driver's License or Health Card)
- Resume or short biography AND a cover letter outlining career goals
- 500 word essay on "Health and Welfare Issues in the Equine Industry" (12 pt font, Times New Roman, double spaced)
- Proof of enrolment for Fall/Winter studies
- Two (2) letters of reference, signed and dated.
- SHF number
- Email to SHF office on or before July 31, 2026 - more information in link above
Applications Due July 31, 2026
2025 |
Payten Keyowski of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. Payten’s essay subject was Health and Welfare Issues in the Equine Industry: Kissing Spine. She is a student at University of Saskatchewan entering her second year of Animal Sciences, and aspires to attend the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to pursue Veterinary Medicine. |
2024 |
Elizabeth Lisitza of Clavet, Saskatchewan. Elizabeth’s essay subject was Equine Rehabilitation: A Holistic Approach to Restoring Health and Performance. She is attending University of Saskatchewan as a physics major, with aspirations to enter the Mathematical Physics program to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics. |
2023 |
Taryn Hanley of Langham, Saskatchewan. Taryn’s essay subject was Equine Infections Anemia Virus. She is attending Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.<o:p></o:p>Nicole Wood of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Nicole’s essay subject was The Danger of Sport: Health & Welfare concerns of the Cross-Country Phase in Eventing. She is attending University of Saskatchewan in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. |
2022 |
Celine Piche of Saskatoon, SK. Celine's essay subject was 'Strangles: The Importance of Implementing Biosecurity in Equine Management'. She is attending Saskatchewan Polytechnic in pursuit of a diploma in Veterinary Technology specializing in equine practice. |
2020 |
Brittany Kramer of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Brittney's essay subject was The Issue of When to Start a Performance Horse Under Saddle. She is attending the University of Saskatchewan in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, with a major in Animal Science and a minor in Agribusiness. Holly Carter of Regina, Saskatchewan. Holly’s essay subject was Striving for Balance in the Performance Horse. She is attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas where she is studying Health Science. She is also a member of the Baylor NCAA Equestrian team. |
2018 |
Norah Ridley of Osler, Saskatchewan. Norah's essay subject was Conditioning the Event Horse. She is attending the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science, and plans to pursue a degree in actuarial science at the University of Regina. |
2017 |
Amber Hrynkiw of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Amber wrote an essay on The Effects of Using Haynets for Feeding Management. She is attending the University of Guelph with a bachelor of Bio-Resource Management, and a major in Equine Management. |
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