OUR INSTRUCTORS
At WindReach Farm, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team of CANTRA-certified riding instructors.
Steve Sampson
Steve has instructed at WindReach Farm since 2015. When their children were growing older, Steve and his wife started volunteering at a therapeutic riding facility in Toronto. In addition to volunteering, he took up riding lessons and began competing in Eventing and was sponsored to become a Therapeutic Riding Instructor through the PATH International Program. He became a Registered Instructor in July 2002.
Within a week of taking early retirement in 2014, Steve entered a mentorship program at The Equestrian Association for the Disabled (TEAD) near Hamilton which enabled him to obtain his CanTRA Intermediate Instructor Certification. Shortly thereafter, he responded to a posting for instructors at WindReach.
Working with the riders at WindReach has been a retirement dream come true. He enjoys the atmosphere of teamwork in working with the riders, their families, and the volunteers. The smiles on the riders’ faces are a daily reward.
Megan Burbidge
Megan’s horsey life started on a farm in Unionville. Her family always had a few horse boarders and she was allowed to ride and interact with them. She got hooked pretty quickly and got her first pony at age 8, a Shetland named Polly. She soon graduated to a bigger, black and white pony named Flicker. She loved that pony and rode her all over the farm and the surrounding countryside. She took a break from riding when she got married until her kids (2) were older and then she started slowly back with lessons. As a mid-30s adult, these were her first lessons, as during my childhood she was a self-taught rider.
She eventually found WindReach and was certified to teach in 2011, after spending 6 years as a volunteer. “Anyone who knows the Farm, knows what an inspiring place it is, and how satisfying it is to be involved with the programs and participants!!” says Megan.
Flo Cook
Flo joined WindReach in 2017. She has been involved with therapeutic riding for 30 years in various roles, including as a program volunteer, horse trainer, and instructor.
After retirement as a professional accountant and business consultant, Flo became further involved with therapeutic riding by obtaining her certification as an instructor (CanTRA II in 2016).
She is very much energized by the small and dramatic improvements that she sees in participants – physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally… and by the sheer JOY that she sees on the faces of the riders and the volunteers alike!
Flo’s other interests include alpine skiing, sailing, hiking, cycling, and gardening.
Flo loves the drive away from the city, through the countryside to get to WindReach. She loves the calm of the stables and the beauty of the property and is so thankful for the camaraderie and positivity of the people at WindReach.
Michele Cimino
Michele has been a Therapeutic Riding Instructor at WindReach Farm since 2017. Spending time at the farm and volunteering with the therapeutic riding program inspired Michele to become certified with Can-TRA.
Prior to the birth of her three children, she previously worked as a radiographer. More recently, she went on to pursue Equine Acupuncture and Massage, and has an Equine Science Certificate from the University of Guelph. Michele began riding Hunter-Jumper lessons when her children were young because it looked like a lot of fun! Not only does she love spending time in the paddocks with horses and perfecting her equine technique, but she also loves trail riding, polo, cross country, and dressage.
For Michele, WindReach is one of the most satisfying and happy places to be. She enjoys teamwork, building relationships with others, taking care of horses, and of course, teaching riders of all ages, from children to adults.