Jessica Blum, Grade 11
Jessica Blum, a long-time CDS student in Grade 11 from Gormley, competes in equestrian, track and field and long-distance running.
She attended OFSAA for track and field in Grade 9 and competed in the 800m and 1500m events, but took last year off to focus on her riding. Both sports offer unique and different skill sets as track demands higher fitness while equestrian requires more skill.
Jessica competes as a “Hunter/Jumper”, where horses are ridden English style and guided through a series of fences and jumps. Equestrian athletes have a very intense schedule preparing for competition, so Jessica loves the flexibility of the High Performance Phys-Ed program offered at CDS. “[The program] has helped me because I get an extra spare which allows me to catch up on work – I need that extra time.”
For the past 10 years, Jessica has spent most of her time training on her family farm with her horses Conan, Freddie, Cooper and Donald. She also has another connection with the School through her riding coach Chris Sorensen, an alumnus from the Class of 2001.
Her track and field coach at CDS, Denise Steadman, speaks highly of Jessica: “I have had the pleasure of teaching and coaching Jessica in track and field and cross-country. Her incredible work ethic has contributed to the success she has attained in running, equestrian competitions and in the High Performance Phys-Ed Program.”
Next year, Jessica is planning to compete in the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
