MEET Catherine Sampson
MEET 
Catherine Sampson has enjoyed
a life-long
commitment to horses spanning
more than 40 years. She is a published poet
and writer whose articles have appeared in many national and international
equine magazines such as Horse Sport and Equus to name a few.
She is also a respected trainer and breeder of champion Morgan horses.
Over the decades, her Foundation Training Program has produced countless
pleasure horses of every breed and dozens of championship Morgan show horses . She and her husband, Robert, own and operate the Trillium
Equine Complex and its parent, the Trillium Morgan Horse Farm in Orono, Ontario
Canada.
For 30 years, Catherine has created and has
hosted a variety of educational programs that have greatly benefited the public.
Education of the horse owner has always been a main focus at the farm, something
which Catherine has been passionate about for the well-being of the horse.
The farm’s professional in-house workshops have been enjoyed by
literally hundreds for more than a decade.
In 2001,
Catherine created a private-sector educational program for the general
public. The Trillium Equine Short Studies Program was developed. In
2002, the Trillium Apprenticeship Program was launched with much success.
For the farm's junior riders, the Clip Clop Club was born and is currently
receiving rave reviews.
Catherine’s long involvement with the Morgan breed since 1973, has garnished
her several awards recognizing her and her husband Robert's efforts for breed
promotion. The farm has
received the prestigious Gold Medal Award from the American Morgan Horse
Association and also a special recognition award from the Canadian Morgan Horse
Club, honouring them for the
promotion of the Morgan Horse. Catherine
has been an active member of the Morgan Horse community, standing for two
consecutive terms as President of the Ontario Morgan Horse Club and for numerous
years serving on the Board of Directors, as well as newsletter editor.
Catherine and Robert, have also been keen supporters of
The Equine Foundation of Canada, a registered charity devoted to horses
and the equine veterinary community of colleges across Canada.
Over the years, their farm has been the largest single contributor from
the Province of Ontario.
Since retiring from her high profile administrative assistant position in the
Ontario Provincial Government in 1999 after 22 years of public service, and
eight years in the private sector, Catherine has devoted her energies to the
farm’s many facets on a full-time basis.
Her writing endeavors have also taken on new life in the form of numerous
health care, human interest and informative articles for the equestrian. Presently,
she is working towards completing her autobiography though her book titled
"Between the Irons".
In the spring of 2008 on safari in Botswana, Africa, Catherine suffered a compression fracture in her spine when thrown from her mount at speed as the horse stepped into a burrowing hole. Since her return to Canada, she has officially retired from active training of horses as a result of her injury. However, she continues training in her Owner Assisted Program, guiding novices in their quest for the ideal mount or harness horse.
Catherine
is available for freelance articles, speaking engagements, offsite clinics
and demonstrations.
Revised: November 1, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Trillium Morgan Horse Farm