University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON K1N6N5
info
Coach
Since the Gee Gee's Equestrian team's initiation in 2003, the team has evolved into a very successful competitive club with much thanks to its talented coaches. The team has seen a ton of success from its foundation with Simone Williams of Queenswood Stables, Ottawa, ON to the team's national championship debut in 2007, led by coach Corry Smallegange, facing some of North America’s best equitation riders.
The Gee Gee's thank their past and current coaches for their dedication to the team and hard work. The team's riders have been privileged to train with some top Canadian trainers and Grand Prix riders including Simone Williams, Jill Henselwood, Corry Smallegange and currently Lauren Hunkin.
Lauren Hunkin
Starting in September 2009 the Gee Gees' coach welcomed new coach Lauren Hunkin.
Lauren Hunkin, resident of Kemptville, Ontario is making her mark in the Canadian and International Show Jumping circles. Having spent several years training full -time with Canada's Olympic Silver Medalist, Ian Millar, Lauren continues to hone her trade with the best of the best.
Lauren completed her first full year of Grand Prix competition in 2006. In her inaugural year, she earned four top 5 placings and finished second overall in the Eastern Conference of the national Grand Prix series, The Kubota Cup.
In 2008, Lauren hit her stride, winning back to back wins on the Grand Prix circuit. Both were in partnership with her German-bred gelding, Larry. In June 2008, Lauren was named Cavalor's "Athlete of the Month" by Equine Canada.
Sharing the limelight with her equine partners, Larry and Dutch-bred gelding, Orleans, Lauren continues to strive for excellence. "Short listed" by Jump Canada in 2009, Lauren's sights are now set on the 2012 Olympics. With the Canadian team's Olympic Silver and Eric Lamaze's Olympic Gold, all eyes will be on the Canadian riders and their steeds in 2012. Lauren hopes to be part of the team to bring home the Gold in the next Olympics!
Lauren has become much more than a coach to this team. Her knowledge, endless patience, and faith in the team has brought us to a high standard of riding as well as making us a close-knit team. Her technical drills build on our knowledge and push us just far enough past our comfort zone, and makes us focus on the muscles and techniques we need to be competitive on the national level.
Mark Struthers
After showing Jumpers on the A-Circuit for years out of London, Ontario, Mark moved to the United States in 2002 to study blacksmithing. He attended the Maryland Horseshoeing School, graduating with a 98% average.
In early 2003, Mark returned to Canada, this time to Ottawa, Ontario, and began working with top local farriers to expand on his horseshoeing education. Since then, he has built a business specializing in performance horses and therapeutic shoeing, including shoeing horses for the RCMP Musical Ride.
Mark continues to ride and show Hunters and Jumpers, and owns several young horses which he shows at Canadian Sport Horse line shows. He currently also owns a young Jumper which he will be showing across Ontario and Quebec in the Amateur classes on the A-Circuit.
Keeping up to date on new techniques and developments in horse podiatry is an important aspect of farrier work, and Mark is always striving to improve his work by attending several clinics and conventions each year.
Mark has stepped in as our assistant coach, and acts as a head coach when Lauren is unavailable. He is the mastermind behind the team fundraising,always looking out for new ideas and strategies to help us improve. He has become an invaluable asset to the team and we are extremely lucky to have him on our side.
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON K1N6N5
info
