Head Vet: Glenn Sinclair, DVM
Dr. Glenn Sinclair graduated from WCVM in 1985 with a DVM and entered into mixed veterinary practice; but after about three years he switched over to an equine practice.
Dr. Sinclair became FEI accredited in Three Day Eventing, Jumping and Dressage after Manitoba hosted the 1999 PanAm Games. As the only FEI Vet in Manitoba he was recruited by Maura Leahy and started the lengthy process of getting FEI accredited in Endurance.
Since then he has travelled around the world as Canada’s Team Vet or as an invited Official to countries of Malaysia, England, France, Slovakia, Italy, Abu Dhabi, Japan, Costa Rica and the USA.
At this point in time, Dr. Sinclair is the one and only FEI Endurance Vet within Canada.
His years of experience, expertise, and knowledge in Endurance is profound. Rides throughout the Canadian provinces are elevated because of his veterinary professionalism and equine knowledge in the sport.
Treatment & Line Vet: Chad Paetsch, DVM, MSc, DACVPM
Dr. Chad Paetsch received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science (Epidemiology) degrees from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Paetsch is a board-certified specialist or Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
Following graduation in 2009 he worked in a mixed animal practice and enjoyed tending to all species. Since 2014, Dr. Paetsch operates a solo, fully-equipped, mobile practice, and has concentrated his work on large animal medicine and surgery at Muenster, SK.
Dr. Paetsch owns two Quarter Horses: Gilbert and Utah. He enjoys trail riding, working cattle on horseback, and has dabbled in team roping. His new interest is learning how to recreationally drive horses with a cart.
Dr. Paetsch has thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the Saskatchewan Long Riders as a line and treatment veterinarian. Recently, he worked as a treatment vet for an FEI endurance race in Shellbrook, SK and really appreciated that experience. Being a mobile veterinarian, Dr. Paetsch is well equipped, experienced, and knowledgeable in field settings. He looks forward to meeting these amazing equine athletes and their owners.
Line Vet: Nora Chavarria, Med.Vet., MVet Sci.
Dr. Nora Chavarria is a member of the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre’s Equine Field Service. Originally from Germany, Dr. Chavarria completed five years of undergraduate studies in veterinary medicine at the Free University of Berlin, Germany. After graduating in 2005, she spent one year working at an equine practice in northwest Germany and then worked in a mixed practice in Wales, Great Britain, for more than a year.
Dr. Chavarria moved to Canada in 2008 and began an equine clinical internship at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre. One year later, she began a three-year combined Master of Veterinary Science-residency program in equine practice.
After graduating in 2012 and spending six months on maternity leave, Dr. Chavarria returned to the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre as a clinical associate in Equine Field Service. Dr. Chavarria has been involved in vetting Endurance rides since 2021, where she is able to bring her equine field service insight and wisdom into monitoring the health and wellbeing of the equine athletes.
Line Vet: Katarina Purich, DVM
Dr. Katrina Purich is a 2014 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine who has devoted her career to mixed-animal practice in rural Alberta. A lifelong animal lover and endlessly curious learner, she delights in uncovering the weird and wonderful corners of veterinary medicine and bringing that knowledge back to the clients and communities she serves. Deeply committed to animal welfare, Dr. Purich is an active volunteer in local spay-and-neuter initiatives and dedicates time each year to the Equitarian Initiative in Central America, providing veterinary care to working equids in underserved regions. Her passion for equine health extends into her longtime involvement in endurance horse sports—a journey that began in veterinary school under the mentorship of Dr. Dowling and Dr. Hamilton. She now serves as a veterinary board member with Alberta CTR, contributing her expertise to the development and support of distance riding in the province. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Purich can often be found in the show ring. An enthusiastic amateur show jumper, she enjoys training and competing with her own horse, embracing every chance to learn, grow, and celebrate the partnership between horse and rider.
Equestrian Canada Technical Delegate: Emily Zunti
Emily discovered endurance riding in 2020 (when there was nothing else to do during COVID) and was quickly drawn to the sport’s focus on equine well-being, unique strategy, perseverance, and sportsmanship. What began as a new challenge developed into a passion – for the connection between horse and rider, the thrill of the ride, and love for the community. Outside the saddle, Emily practices family and civil law in Saskatoon. She brings that attention to detail and sense of fairness to her role as an EC Endurance Technical Delegate. Her legal background gives her a thoughtful and balanced approach to officiating, and she takes pride in fostering a safe, transparent, and inclusive event that reflects the spirit of endurance. Emily is currently pursuing her FEI Endurance officials credentials and enjoys the process of slowly bringing up her young Arabian mare for the sport.
