Head Coach - Jessica Church

Jessica Church started with gymnastics and dance at a young age but soon fell in love with horses. After 16 years of competitive horseback riding, including many hunter/ jumper championships, she discovered the sport of equestrian vaulting on Vancouver Island while volunteering with a therapeutic equestrian program. Jessica began vaulting in 2008, progressed quickly through the vaulter levels, and first represented Canada internationally in 2012. She completed the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC’s Provincial Vaulting Trainer and Gymnastics Level 1 certifications in early 2010 and continues to attend clinics to further her knowledge and skills. Jessica coaches the Fusion Vaulters and is a busy mom of two toddlers, in addition to working as a dentist. She has a competitive focus on coaching compulsory exercises. Jessica enjoys helping vaulters with freestyle, specifically composition, performance, music and theme selection, and all other aspects of teaching vaulting.

Accomplishments:

• 2010 Zone 5 BC Provincial Vaulting Champion
• 2011 Zone 5 BC Provincial Vaulting Champion
• 2011 Division A Canadian National Team Champion
• 2012 Provincial Canter Team Gold Medal
• 2012 National Canter Team Gold Medal
• 2012 Fourth Place CVI 1* Canter Individual
• 2012 Gold Medal CVI 1* Canter Squad
• 2013 BC Canter Team Champion
• 2013 BC Provincial Champion Canter Horse (lunger)
• 2014 Canada Cup CVI 1*, acheived scores to advance into CVI 2* level as an individual
• 2016 Provincial Trot Team Champion
• 2016 Provincial Canter Team Champion
• 2017 Gold Medal CVI 2* Canter Squad
• 2022 Provincial Champion Trot Horse (lunger)

Vaulting Coach - Danno Kennedy

Danno competes at canter in the 1* level and has been vaulting since she was 9 years old. Danno is not only a certified vaulting caoch but she is also dedicated to fitness and cross-training; she teaches our weekly online fitness classes by zoom. Danno created a strong foundation in vaulting and achieved many high scores with Sky Vaulters in her younger years. She joined Fusion nearly 10 years ago, however it was part time, as her studies to become a civil engineer took her to other parts of BC for several of those years. Danno brings great enthusiam and extensive knowledge and experience to her coaching and vaulting. She is a true performer on the horses and pleases the crowds with her fun freestyle routines. Danno has been consistently placing in the top three at all canter events and helping other vaulters of all ages to reach the same successes.

Assistant Coach/ Choreographer - Mara Donohue

Mara started out in vaulting when she was10 at Unicorn Vaulters. She then left to achieve 20 yrs of professional riding, recieveing multiple awards and traveling all over north America. In 2018 her heart horse passed away and she missed horses greatly. She started vaulting again with Fusion in 2020 formed an instant connection with Odin; he helped her heal a hole in her heart. Mara has helped the team by coordinating music, and her background in dance makes her perfect for choreographing freestyles. 

"FUSION brings people together from all walks of life. I have made many friendships that will continue for the rest of my life. My advice to the next generation, 4 Ds, dedication, desire, discipline, and dream big." 

- Mara D. 

Assistant Coach - Hannah Veldman

Hannah is a coach in training under the mentorship of head coach Jessica. She has been vaulting for only two years, but her willlingness to learn and her dedication to the sport have resulted in her excelling through the levels quickly. Hannah was hooked after her first vaulting show ever where she won first place in both of her very large classes!  Hannah is extremely passionate about vaulting, coaching, and lunging. She has been teaching and lunging alongside Jessica in 2023 and is having fun working with our youngest walk and trot vaulters. Hannah hopes to have a career working with horses and was accepted to Langley's high school equestrian program in 2023.