Cambridge, Ontario – October 15, 2003 - Show jumping athlete Keean White has been named the 2003 Professional Athlete of the Year by the City of Cambridge.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Cambridge Sports Awards Banquet recognizes and honours athletes in six categories including the Professional Athlete of the Year category that was introduced in 2002.

“It is a great honour to be recognized for my achievements in a sport that often goes unrecognized,” notes White, who operates Angelstone Farm and Ridgeview Stables. “While I am proud that my individual efforts are being acknowledged, I think is a great thing that the sport of show jumping is also receiving attention.”

The 20-year-old Cambridge resident will be honoured on Friday, November 7, at the Cambridge Sports Awards Banquet held at the Galt Country Club. As the first phase of competition in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship takes place on the same evening at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, White’s younger sister, Zrria, also an equestrian competitor, will accept the award on his behalf.

White has enjoyed an incredibly successful 2003 season. In August, he won the individual silver medal and led the Ontario Team to a gold medal victory at the North American Young Riders’ Championship for equestrian athletes aged 16-21 in Bromont, QC.

White was also named the traveling alternate for the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and made his international debut as a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team competing in the Nations’ Cup competition held during the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters tournament in Calgary, AB.