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durhamrotjion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ April 5,2006 ♦ Page 5 A Clarington Community Orono A weekly in-depth look at the communities that shape Clarington No horsing around on this farm Long process taken in building facility to where it is today BY JULIE CASHIN-OSTER Special to The Statesman ORONO - Known as the "little-big horse" the Morgan has been bred and trained in Orono at what started small in 1973 as the Trillium Morgan Horse Farm and has grown into the Trillium Equine Complex. It didn't happen over night, it was a long process - years and years of building it to where it is today. "Horses are a lifestyle," said Catherine Sampson, co-owner of Trillium Equine Complex. "You can't just leave your horse; it takes a real commitment." Since retiring from her high-profile administrative assistant position in the Ontario Government in 1999 after 22 years of public service, and eight years in the private sector, Ms. Sampson has devoted her energies to the farm's many facets on a full-time basis, "I didn't start teaching until I retired. I teach a little different than other riding establishments," she said. "I go beyond the mechanics. Drawing from my years of training horses I incorporate lessons from the horse's point of view." Preferring to teach one-to-one, Ms. Sampson teaches kids and adults; and riding, riding, as well as driving. "There is a difference difference between' teaching adults and kids," she said. "Kids need more entertaining and more games. They need more work on balance." 1 Riding is only one segment of the overall overall balanced riding.lesson program. Children Children taking lessons also receive a free membership in the fun-driven and study series "Clip Clop Club." Children receive a membership, badge,, their own newsletter and ccrtjpcqles for achievement levels in horsemanship and equine y knowledge. They attend club meetings with a host of creative, hands- on activities designed to entertain, while providing a keen learning experience. Children in the Clip Clop Club develop develop life-skills that involve a measure of responsibility, degree of focus, enhanced self-esteem and practical care of their purebred Morgan Horse tutors. Special in-house events, guest speakers and off-site day field trips are designed to provide extended education for the child. Parent volunteers are welcome and encouraged to participate in these special events. For the older riders there- is the Golden Stirrups Club, which provides relaxation, entertainment and education and physical and mental fitness. The farm's facility features a bright insulated roof, clear span design indoor arena measuring 80 feet in width. This allows for free-flowing turns of the driving driving horse. The arena is equipped with surround-sound music. The newly formulated sand base is filtered filtered with silicone granular which reduces dust effectively and significantly without the odour associated with oiling or rubber products used as arena base enhancers. During winter riding months, an exten- Walter Passarella photos/Metroland Durham 1 Region Media Group' ORONO - Co-owner/Trainer Catherine Sampson poses with "Gem", a mare who is expecting a foal any day now at the Trillium Morgan Horse Farm. sive indoor trail course of bridges, flag pole, artificial trees, trotting poles and mailbox obstacles adds to the fun of the lesson program and general riding entertainment entertainment while testing and honing rider skill and confidence. Outdoor amenities include two lighted arenas; one oval stone dust design and one sand round ring. There are six individual individual seeded pasture Turnouts, including including a large dirt turnout. The roadway is fenced with a clean white four-rail fence.' The farm has private access to 1,000 acres of provincial forest domain with newly designated natural pathways and trails free of motorized vehicles, along with bridle paths on the farm's newly acquired 93 acres, The facility houses up to 35 horses under its umbrella of spacious' aisles, equine infirmary, granary, tack rooms, fully equipped heated and air-conditioned classroom/viewing room with a bird's eye view of the arena. A full electronic security system offers protection of the farm property and stables. New to the farm in 2005 is the Equine Rehabilitation Wing. The Emergency Veterinary Veterinary Station is a full equine veterinary treatment facility. This specially designed room also doubles as a research library with an extensive collection of health- related equine videos, poster-size illustration illustration charts and veterinary books. Vintage turn-of-the-century veterinary instruments instruments and books and memorabilia adorn the walls, adding character and colour to this practical and educational centré. In addition, the farm has access to a 24 hour on-call emergency veterinary care. The farm has recently acquired a variable variable speed treadmill for conditioning of muscles and tendons. This new tool will add to a more speedy recovery and conditioning conditioning of horses. Ms. Sampson continues to teach, write articles on health care, human interest and informative articles for the equestrian and has completed the first rough draft of her autobiographyBetween the Irons. "We have had great success with our horses - they are all over the world." And, as spring has sprung they will be very busy with the arrival of five new fowls. Visitors aie always welcome at Trillium Equine Complex, 5454 Ochonski Rd., Orono. For more information call 905-983- 5980 or visit their website at www.tmhf. com. Horses are let out to pasture at the Trillium Morgan Horse Farm. The farm is located at 5454 Ochonski Rd., Orono. --VT Reaching Your Goals J Freedom 55 Takes Careful Planning / Financial That's Why We're ' Here to Help. • Individual life insurance *GICs & mutual funds • • Disability insurance «Group insurance •Business insurance «Group retirement plans •Travel insurance «Mortgages • RRIFs, LIFs & Annuities •RRSPs&RESPs QUADRUS, Quedrus Investment Services Ltd. 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