2018 Oakhurst3DE Clinicians

As Clinicians are added to the roster for the Oakhurst Three Day, their bios will be shown here.

Guest Speaker: Claire Smith

Author of the book: Falling into Now

The author’s early life was dedicated to horses and competitive events. Through her skill and commitment, she became an internationally recognized rider, and a member of Canada’s National Team. She was selected to compete at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. The sophisticated competitor not only loves her horses, who are such a critical element in the sport, but combines equestrian skill with courage in competitive performance.

The author, in outlining the history developed in the book, demonstrates that the sport requires commitment, courage and is dangerous – an enormous and powerful animal guided by a skilled rider. The most challenging and dangerous is the three-day event combining dressage, cross-country and show jumping.The story has a dedicated, experienced and thoroughly committed athlete confronting her worst fears. In a cross-country event in England in 1997, her horse summersaulted over an early jump, unseating its rider, the author, and resulting in horrendous injury which permanently changed her life.

When Claire reflects on her life Now in the opening chapter, she mentions that her right leg is in a brace. Readers are left wondering what happened with Why is she grateful to be able to walk only a few steps? The answer is gradually revealed over the course of the memoir as Claire writes about her equestrian life and the years following its sudden end on September 13, 1997. While she chronicles her past, her story weaves into and out of the Now.

Although Claire feels that she will never completely let go of the successes—or of the crushing disappointments—that accentuated her time in the equestrian world, this memoir is about so much more. It’s about being driven to pursue a goal. It’s about life-changing loss. It’s about arduous recovery. It’s about a life evolving into something completely unexpected.

Dressage Judge: Ron King

Ron has been riding for over 30 years and has been involved with horses for as long as he can remember. He began his competitive life as an Eventer, but soon after decided to specialize in Dressage.

Ron spent time living and training in Germany in the nineties with Dressage rider Herbert Naeher and Jumper rider Thomas Michel, where he furthered his knowledge of Dressage and gained experience training a variety of horses.

After moving back to Canada in 1998, Ron began coaching students from Training level to FEI. Shortly thereafter, he opened his own training and coaching business, Blueprint Farm.

Since 2001, Ron has been very active in starting young horses and preparing horses of all ages for the famous RCMP Auction that happens biannually, over the years having prepared over 100 horses. In addition, he has taught in the equine program at the former University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus, and helped several students work towards their Equine Canada Coaching Certification.

Ron has also been a long-time participant in the prestigious Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium hosted by Hassler Dressage in the USA, where he had the benefit of working with clinicians such as Steffen Peters, Michael Klimke, Ingo Pape, Ulf Mueller, Anne Gribbons and Scott Hassler.

Ron is an Equestrian Canada certified Judge and an Equestrian Canada High Performance Coach Candidate.

Official Vet, 10 Minute Box: Dr. J.D. Adams, DVM

Russell Equine Veterinary Service

Dr. Adams graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2006 and has been a member of Russell Equine since graduation.  From Russell originally, Dr. Adams has a long history with equine sport disciplines and is certified as an FEI treating veterinarian.

Operating for the better part of 20 years as Dr. Garth Henry Equine Services, Russell Equine took its current name in 2007 after Dr Adams became partner.  Recently, Russell Equine has expanded to include the practice formerly operated by Dr. Carole Michon.  With this new union, Russell Equine has become the largest Equine-only veterinary clinic in Eastern Ontario, and has ranked as one of the largest equine only clinics in Canada east of Toronto.

10 Minute Box, Grooms Mentor – Anne-Marie Duarte

O’Hanlon EventingHaving been with O’Hanlon Eventing (OHE) full time since 2008, Anne-Marie is an invaluable member of the team and as head groom she takes world class care of all the horses. As an international level groom Anne-Marie has groomed for Selena O’Hanlon at many Rolex 3 Day events and Badminton as well the Pan Am and World Games. Anne-Marie is accomplished in her own right, as a graduate of the Canadian Pony Club with her full “A”, and currently competes at the Preliminary level with Morag and Selena’s homebred Rather Boldly.

Guest Speaker: Kara Glauser

BFL Insurance

Kara Edwards is an equine insurance broker for the Eastern Ontario region with BFL CANADA, the official insurance provider for OE and
Equestrian Canada. Kara is also an Equine Canada Certified Competition Coach, has an honors Bachelor Degree in Bio-Resource Management specializing in Equine Management through the University of Guelph, and a Master’s degree in Education- Curriculum Studies through the University of Western Ontario. Kara’s foundation in the equine industry has been facilitated through positions including Assistant Director of riding camps, barn management and coaching. Kara’s owns two horses and competes in Eventing, including at NCHTA events. She is working on developing her insurance education by taking courses to achieve her CIP designation. Kara is committed to helping educate the equine community on risk management and knowledge of the insurance industry.

Show Jump Course Walk: Jeff McKessock

EC Competition Coach Specialist – Show Jumping, EC High Performance 1 Coach – Eventing 

Jeff was introduced to working horses as a boy on his family’s cattle farm near Owen Sound. His career in horses began in Ottawa in 1978, where he taught riding lessons, became involved in the Canadian Coaching Program in its infancy, and competed in eventing in Canada and the U.S. At the peak of his competitive career, Jeff was long-listed for the 1984 3-Day Eventing Olympic Team. A horse lameness prevented that from coming to fruition and his focus switched to jumper competition with the horse that had been his back-up partner. This brought Jeff and his future wife to start Westar Farms, a training facility with a large riding school as well as a hunter, jumper and equitation competitive program. Jeff still maintains his appreciation for the foundations of dressage and the thrill of galloping cross-country. Those who most influenced Jeff as mentors and friends include Marianne Laframboise and the entire Laframboise family, Pam & Joe Nuth, Cara Whitham, Ian Millar and Jill Henselwood.