Show jumping up-and-comer Hunkin wins her first grand prix in Quebec
By Jon Yaneff

Caledon resident Lauran Hunkin has been competing since she was seven and show jumping since age 12. The love and passion for horses has paid off very quickly with her equestrian accolades.

Grand prix show jumping up-and-comer Hunkin, 28, won her first grand prix in the $25,000 grand prix at the Beaulieu Summer Classic June 22 in Ste. Justine de Newton, Que. The starting field included 24 rider/horse combinations.

Hunkin won the competition aboard her horse Larry, who she's had for a year and a half. The pair was the fastest clean in the jump-off by a 1.5 second margin over Quebec's Gabrielle Cousin on Aramisse des Pins.

"It was very exciting and a bit surreal," said Hunkin after winning the grand prix.

One-week later on June 29 Hunkin with Larry had the same showing by winning at the same venue in the $25,000 grand prix at Beaulieu's Summer Classic II.

"It feels a little strange this time because I wasn't expecting it," Hunkin said in a press release.

"It feels good going ahead," she said, but she is cautious about getting overconfident, adding, "You never know what the next day will bring."

Larry is a 10-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Synergy Farm. Hunkin acquired him during the 2007 winter series in Wellington, Florida. Jackson Reed-Stephenson of Great Britain was Larry's former rider.

"Every day is a new adventure," she said. "The horses can't speak, but it's gratifying when you teach the horse and they learn."

Hunkin also finished sixth with her other mount, Orleans. With Orleans, Hunkin had two second place finishes in 2007, which were the $75,000 World Cup Qualifier, Canadian Country Classic in Halton Hills and the $10,000 High Amateur/Owner Classic in Wellington. Her other horse Air of Gold, who brought Hunkin from the amateur to the grand Prix level, just retired. From January through March Hunkin trained for 12 weeks in Wellington to get ready for the summer circuit.

She has spent the last several years training fulltime with Canadian show jumping legend Ian Millar and his children Jonathon and Amy, in Perth. Millar has been in the sport for more than 40 years, is going to his ninth Olympic games in August and is nominated to carry the flag for Canada.

"Being able to work with him and his many years of experience is very special to share all of his knowledge," said Hunkin. "When you watch anybody compete for their country it makes you want to drive yourself to get at that level as well."

In the future Hunkin will explore opportunities to start her own equestrian business so she can maintain what she loves to do in life, as well as train future equestrians the sport as well.

Hunkin, who's from the Belfountain area, will be returning home when the show jumping circuit comes to Palgrave. She will be competing in the grand prix during the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier (summer festival) at Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, which runs June 30 to Aug. 3. The festivities will also feature the Olympic team. She will be competing in the grand prix at 3 p.m. on Aug. 3. For more information on this event visit www.equiman.com

"It will be nice to come home, but it will be a little nerve-racking because a lot more people I know will be here," said Hunkin.