Last night’s Get Up and Gallop competition saw teams go neck-and-neck for first place, but none could quite pull ahead of Terlin Construction.
For the third year in the row, company president Terry McLaughlin and his trusty team won the competition held during Spurs & Sparkles, a fundraising evening for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation that features a fun race involving corporate sponsors, show jumpers, and sports and media celebs.Team Terlin Construction, represented by Canadian show jumper Taylor Wood, 15, Terlin Construction president Terry McLaughlin and retired sports broadcaster Terry Marcotte, is the three-time winner of the Get Up and Gallop competition, a featured part of the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Caroline PhillipsSpurs & Sparkles co-chair Karen Sparks, who’s also a seasoned show jumper, competed in the Get Up and Gallop race, which is a featured part of the fundraiser held at Wesley Clover Parks for the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaLiza Mrak, executive vice-president of Mark Motors Group, with teammates Jeff Hopper from Move 100.3 and Canadian show jumper Rayne Dubois, didn’t hold back the excitement while racing in the Get Up and Gallop competition during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital, held at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist Media
The gathering attracted more than 300 attendees to the scenic Wesley Clover Parks in the city’s west end, where a massive party tent filled with food, drinks, music and decor awaited. The evening was co-chaired by Wesley Clover Parks executive director Karen Sparks and her good friend Catherine McLaughlin, both of whom were presented with special awards of their own by QCH Foundation president and CEO Shannon Gorman for helping to make the hospital fundraiser such a tremendous success. The evening raised $103,964 through corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, raffle proceeds and online auction bidding.
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QCH serves over half the population of Ottawa, said Gorman of “the little hospital that can”.
“We really do need your support,” she told the room.From left, Catherine McLaughlin and Karen Sparks were back with their team of volunteers to co-chair Spurs & Sparkles, a fundraising evening held in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
QCH Foundation was “a natural choice,” said Sparks, who previously served on its board, including as its chair for two years, and delivered all four of her children at the hospital. As well, the hospital’s emergency department has been valuable to users of Wesley Clover Parks, she added.
Her father, Terry Matthews, founder and chairman of Wesley Clover International, was among the attendees. So were such QCH Foundation board members as past chair Fred Seller, founding partner at Brazeau Seller Law, Stacey McMillan (KPMG) and Mia Hemphey, CEO for Nelligan Law.
The co-chairs are also passionate about show jumping. Sparks is very accomplished at the sport and McLaughlin’s 20-year-old daughter Charlotte is an equestrian student-athlete at Auburn University in Alabama. McLaughlin, who’s married to Terry McLaughlin, is also the events and activations manager at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
Returning as the presenting sponsor was RBC. It was the first day for Devinder Gill in her new role as regional president for RBC Royal Bank in Ontario North and East. She relocated here from British Columbia — where she was regional vice-president of business financial services — to take over from Marjolaine Hudon. Hudon has been promoted to president for Quebec but attended that night to show her support.
From left, volunteer Trie Donovan, co-chairs Catherine McLaughlin and Karen Sparks, presenting sponsor representative Marjolaine Hudon (RBC), Shannon Gorman (Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation), Devinder Gill (RBC), volunteer Tara Borowiecki and Katie Barrett (QCH Foundation) at the fun-loving Spurs & Sparkles held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in support of QCH Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFred Seller, past chair of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and partner at Brazeau Seller Law, and his wife, Stacey Seller, at the Spurs & Sparkles evening held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsTerry Matthews, founder and chairman of Wesley Clover International, at the Spurs & Sparkles evening co-chaired by his daughter Karen Sparks and held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Katie Barrett, manager of corporate and community development at Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, and Wesley Clover Parks programs and events assistant Keira Conlin got a special shout-out for the hard work they put into Spurs & Sparkles, a fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Kyle Gourgon, corporate partnerships at Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, Stacey McMillan, board member at Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and senior manager at KPMG Enterprise, Courtney Turk, president and interior decorator at Courtney Turk Interiors, and Kyle Turk, CEO of Meerkat Marketing, at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsStefan Keyes and Melissa Lamb from CTV Morning Live were the emcees at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, volunteer Tara Borowiecki and Mark Borowiecki with his fellow Ottawa Senators alumnus Radek Bonk, and his wife, Jill Bonk, co-owner of Showroom Furniture & Lighting, Ottawa Senators development coach and former player Shean Donovan and volunteer Trie Donovan, and their son, Ottawa Senators prospect Jorian Donovan, and their daughter Trinity Donovan, at the Spurs & Sparkles event for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsMichael Mrak, president of Mark Motors of Ottawa, and his partner Shirley Kouri at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Vanessa von Finckenstein (8 York Business Suites), Altis Recruitment & Technology co-founder and owner Kathryn Tremblay, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation president and CEO Shannon Gorman, and Logan Iwanoff, also with Altis Recruitment, at Spurs & Sparkles in support of QCH Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Paul Chiarelli, president and CEO of Wesley Clover, and Dave Ready, who used to be the president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation and vice-president with CHEO Foundation, seen at Wesley Clover Parks for Spurs & Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Get Up and Gallop race featured 10 teams participating in a three-part competition, each trying to finish as quickly as possible.
Teams began with an equestrian portion completed by one of the show jumpers. Next came a quick drill involving the sport of curling. Lastly, the team navigated an obstacle course in a golf cart. It was a burr in the saddle for those who took wrong turns or unexpected detours. The Faces Magazine team stopped to ask equestrian legend Ian Millar for directions before pulling out its map.
Ultimately, all the teams made it to the finish line — many with fist in the air for dramatic effect.
“Lead Foot” McLaughlin zoomed around the course in no time. Seated next to him was his returning teammate, retired sports broadcaster Terry Marcotte, who finished his curling task lickety-split. Their star show jumping athlete, 15-year-old Manotick resident Taylor Wood, rode on the back. The medal-winning athlete trains at Millar Brooke Farm.
“We told Taylor just to hang on for dear life,” said Marcotte. Something tells us that, as a show jumper, she’s used to doing that.
Show jumping legend Ian Millar at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Caroline PhillipsDevinder Gill, who’s just started her new role as regional president of RBC, competed in the Get Up and Gallop race with Olympic curler Lisa Weagle and show jumper Lauren Hayes during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaFrom left, former Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki, Olympic show jumper Amy Millar and Bliss Heers from Team Eye Candy placed second in the Get Up and Gallop competition that was featured at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsOttawa Redblacks defensive lineman Nigel Romick and Kevin Maxie from Team Struck Apparel prepare to race in the Get Up and Gallop competition featured at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaOttawa Senators prospect Jorian Donovan, who was part of Team Cityscape, completes the mini curling task as part of the Get Up and Gallop competition featured during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held Monday, Aug. 19, 2014 at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaJennifer Cameron, a director with the Senators Community Foundation, with former Ottawa Senators player Radek Bonk beside her and show jumper Heather Oswald holding on tight, in the Get Up and Gallop competition during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser held at Wesley Clover Parks for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsAshley Maxie races to join her team after competing her show jumping portion of the Get Up and Gallop competition featured during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaOttawa Senators prospect Jorian Donovan hangs on tight as former Forty Under 40 award recipient Victoria La Valle of Cityscape maneuvers the golf cart around the course, and their show jumper, Karen Sparks, hangs on tight, during the Get Up and Gallop competition featured at Spurs & Sparkles. Photo by Caroline PhillipsShow jumper Taylor Wood, 15, competed in the Get Up and Gallop race, which is a featured part of the fundraiser held at Wesley Clover Parks for the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaAmy Millar races to join her team after competing her equestrian portion of the Get Up and Gallop competition featured during the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist Media
Coming in second place was Eye Candy Beauty Bar comprised of Bliss Heers, show jumper Amy Millar and former Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki. Third-place finisher Team Struck Apparel consisted of its founder, Kevin Maxie, show jumper Ashley Maxie and Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Nigel Romick.
Romick’s wife, Melissa Lamb, co-hosted the evening with her CTV colleague Stefan Keyes.Show jumping legend Ian Millar (third from right) poses with the winning three teams of the Get Up and Gallop competition. From left, Team Eye Candy (Mark Borowiecki, Amy Millar, Bliss Heers), Team Terlin Construction (Terry Marcotte, Terry McLaughlin, Taylor Wood), Team Struck Apparel (Nigel Romick, Ashley Maxie, Kevin Maxie). Photo by Mikayla Reis/Sunkist MediaFrom left, RBC’s Marjolaine Hudon at Spurs & Sparkles with Shannon Gorman, president and CEO of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, and Devinder Gill, who just started her new role as regional president of RBC following Hudon’s promotion to the bank’s president in Quebec. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Avalee Prehogan and Ron Prehogan, partner at Brazeau Seller Law, Gary Katz, founding partner at Logan Katz, Velma LeBlanc and Jenna Katz at Spurs & Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Shannon Gorman, president and CEO of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, and QCH Foundation board member Mia Hempey, CEO of Nelligan Law, at Spurs & Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsSpurs & Sparkles co-chair Catherine McLaughlin at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 with Get Up and Gallop winners: show jumper Taylor Wood, McLaughlin’s husband, Terlin Construction president Terry McLaughlin, and retired sports broadcaster Terry Marcotte. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Veronica Farmer, vice-president of marketing at Wesley Clover, and Ottawa city councillor Cathy Curry (Kanata North) at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Dylan Hemmings, regional vice-president of Stantec, PCL Construction vice-president and district manager Paul Knowles, and Jennifer Cameron, director at the Senators Community Foundation, at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Lori Wagner, director of sales and marketing at the Fairmont Château Laurier, and her events and activations manager, Catherine McLaughlin, co-chair of the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Nik Lemieux, owner at Mirabel Management, Paradigm Commercial Group of Companies president and CEO Ashley Hopkins, Desjardins FSIN community relations manager Joanne Kudakiewicz, and MARANT Construction business development manager Jennifer Cross at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Algonquin College president Claude Brulé and his vice-president of advancement and strategy, Mark Savenkoff, at the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsSamantha Thompson of The King Eddy and Lil Z in the ByWard Market, and Mathew Davis of Blower Express Services were out supporting the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation at its Spurs & Sparkles event, held at Wesley Clover Parks on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Spurs & Sparkles organizers included, from left, Trie Donovan, Tara Borowiecki, Karen Sparks, Catherine McLaughlin, Keira Conlin, Katie Barrett, Shannon Gorman, Taylor McRae, Taylor Bond, Kathryn Hull and Tracy Howard. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Coming in fourth place in the Get Up and Go competition were Accora Village (Natasha Plotnikov, Jacklynn Carey and Nathan Grenon), followed by Mark Motors Group (Liza Mrak, Rayne Dubois and Jeff Hopper). The team rankings continued with Cityscape (Victoria La Valle, Karen Sparks and Jorian Donovan), Senators Community Foundation (Jennifer Cameron, Heather Oswald and Radek Bonk), Faces Magazine (Quinn Valters, Christine Wiggins and Austin Lee), RBC (Devinder Gill, Lauren Hayes and Lisa Weagle) and Fuller Construction (Kyle Athrens, Lauren Hunkin and Shean Donovan).
Attendees were invited to bet on the team or teams that they thought had the best chance of coming out on top. Winners were drawn after the competition, with the first-place prize a diamond ring from La Maison d’Or and the second-place prize a special stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
Some 300 attendees of the Spurs & Sparkles fundraiser for Queensway Carleton Hospital party the night away at Wesley Clover Park on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
caroline@obj.ca
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