Equine Canada (EC) is pleased to welcome David Hunter to the position of Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Manager, effective January 2016.
Hunter, who currently resides in Norfolk County in England, has spent the past 13 years with the Great Britain Para Dressage Team, supporting them through team gold medal performances and countless individual medals at all major games, including three Paralympic Games, four World Championships, five European Championships, and many international competitions.
“David is a prominent Para-Equestrian Dressage leader with an impressive record of international performance success, and I am thrilled to welcome him to Equine Canada’s High Performance Team,” said Amie O’Shaughnessy, High Performance Director. “The appointment of David as the Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Manager is a fundamental step in continuing to build strong high performance systems for our athletes. With the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games fast approaching, David will play a critical role in leading the performance strategy for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Dressage Team of athletes, coaches, and technical experts.”
In addition to the exceptional leadership Hunter has shown with the British Team, he has a wealth of equine expertise, having achieved the highest level of the British Horse Society Horsemanship stages. He also held the position of Director of Equine Rehabilitation and Welfare at the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) for three years. Currently, Hunter holds the title of Chief Executive of the Fakenham Racecourse in the UK.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Equine Canada and to be the new Manager of their Para-Equestrian Dressage Team,” said Hunter. “I have known many of the Para riders and support staff for a number of years, and have admired their professionalism, determination and commitment. I am delighted to be part of that team and I look forward to being involved in their future successes.”
Equine Canada’s Para-Equestrian program has produced excellent international results over the past two quadrennials. Notable achievements include two individual bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, individual gold and silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and eight top-10 finishes, including a top-three finish, at the 2012 London Paralympics. Most recently, Canada’s Para-Equestrian Dressage Team won Canada’s only medals at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, when Lauren Barwick brought home individual silver and bronze medals.
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