Coaches & Staff

Who We Are

Kuruka Equestrian offers a Riding Instructor program to teach more advanced riders the skills necessary to instruct other students in the art of riding correctly.

Full Staff Directory

Want to become a certified OEF

Coach or Instructor?

Kuruka Equestrian offers a Riding Instructor program to teach more advanced riders the skills necessary to instruct other students in the art of riding correctly. Instructors should be a Rider Level 5 and the program is open to students turning 15 and over. Potential instructors will mentor with Angela or another certified coach to learn basic coaching skills.

The instructor certification exam will be held when all candidates are 16 years old, have achieved a minimum of Rider Level 6 and once they are deemed ready by Angela.

Instructors are the gateway to that very passion for all the new and aspiring riders who join us at the school. Our success is dependent on the continued support and fine example set by those who work here.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Angela.

Our Instructors

Below are our current EC certified Instructors!

Maud Revel

Instructor of Beginners & EAL Program

Maud Revel started riding at Kuruka in 2011. She successfully passed her Instructor of Beginners qualification in July 2019. She has joined our team of instructors at Kuruka and enjoys coaching, insisting on safety while strengthening core position. She comes from a jumping background in France where she competed for 4 years, and worked with young horses at home and at shows. She was a trail guide and instructor in Ireland before coming to Canada. Maud is also a Level III Equine Assisted Learning facilitator and runs Date nights, Family fun events, team building sessions as well as a program tailored to Professionals in Uniform affected by PTSD right here at Kuruka.

Katie Mortimer

Instructor of Beginners & Barn Staff

Katie started as a lesson student in 2017. Where Katie quickly grew to love the horses and the atmosphere of the barn. In August of 2017, she started part boarding Cash. Then she joined the bronze show team in 2018, showing in the 2ft Hunters. After that year, Katie made the switched to jumpers and has been successful in the jumper ring for the last 3 years, competing with Cash in the .90m Jumpers on Trillium for our last season together in 2021. February of 2019, Katie and her mother purchased Oliver as a Jumper/Dressage prospect. Katie competed with Oliver on the bronze show team this year (2022), as his first show season, showing the .65m Jumpers and Equitation Flat. Placing in Top placings in all divisions. Katie is now also a certified Coach as Instructor of Beginners and also helps around the barn! Be sure to say hi to Coach Katie!

Alayna May

Instructor of Beginners & Barn Staff

Alayna has been with Kuruka since 2014, being a barn monitor and also showing on our schooling team all the way to the Trillium Team over the years. Alayna is now currently leasing Ember and showing on the Trillium Hunter Show Team. Alayna is now one of our Instructor of Beginners, she got her coaching certification April 2022, and is a coach on Tuesdays & Saturdays. She will also be coaching the Bronze Beginner riders this coming show season.

Our coaches are dedicated to helping our riders develop, excel and reach their desired goals whether it is in the Hunter, Jumper, or Equitation divisions, or purely recreational.

Our Staff

Below are our current Barn Staff Members

Julia Doucet

Barn Manger

Julia has been with Kuruka since 2011, being one of the first barn monitors and also showing on our schooling team all the way to the Trillium Team over the years. Julia now specializes in developing Hunter / Jumpers along with foaling & breeding. She also owns her own farm with a variety of her own project horses. Julia is also a registered Equine Massage Therapist who does regular work on the horses at Kuruka.

Dara Sporle

Barn Staff

Dara started as a lesson student in 2012, Dara has been an active member of all our show teams over the years and helped in the development of many school horses show careers. Dara completed her Rider Level 7 and at one point was showing all 3 of her horses in Hunters / Jumpers / Dressage in one season. Dara finished 2018 as Top Amateur Rider of the year on the Trillium Circuit. 2022 Dara went on maternity leave and had a baby boy named Maddix, Dara stepped down from the Barn Manager position so she could focus on Maddix, but she is still at the barn helping where she can and taking care of her horses Sam & Winchester

Emily Burston

Barn Staff

Emily has been riding at Kuruka since 2019, She is currently Rider Level 6 and working towards higher levels. Emily is in school to be a registered Equine Massage Therapist. She enjoys working with rehab and young project horses, along with being active on our Trillium Hunter Show Team.