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Champion Countryý Tuesday August 16, 2005 - Al17 lHorse facility for special needs students relocates BROBIN DOWNTON-POIRIER Vt mdiri sti Stables Itds moved t0 its new hone anid will soofl be operational for special needs students to learn how to ride their patient horses. Formerly at Hendervale Equestrian Complex near Oakville, Windrush is now located at 9526 First Line in Nassagaweya. Owner Lesley Ridout-Gauer said Windrush needed to have absolute control over the environment in order to protect the hors- es, riders, and volunteers- something that couldn't be done ade- quately at Hendervale. Thoughts of expansion also played a part in the decision. "Especially with the nature of our business, we needed to have complete control over the environment including such things as Iawn tractors and operational hours. We were also ready to grow so the time was right (for the move)," she said. "We bought this property and moved in July 8. It does require some work but we should be able te, offer classes by the last few weeks in August." Windrush Stables currently offers horse riding instruction class- es to about 40) special needs children and adulîs each week. Ail Kids Books Ail Stok i,'2J~?H Canadian Red Cross 'AN you GIVE OOMEONE A Li FV ResCdmheioseinned gettomeccoIcpÀn#mf, acuI dayprogramsoand olheradMies. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED cauLLus mEAIHMWYOU CM MAP (905)875-1459 Ms Ridou! CGwcrh o I, mnember of CanTRA (Canadian Thcrapcutic Riding Association) since 1992. Both the horses and instructors mil Windrush are stringently trained to accommodate special needs individuals and have helped hundreds of students since opening. Expansion plans include being able to offer the pï-ogram to more individuals. "We want to grow and expand and are hoping to be able to offer the program to, up to 100 students each week," said Ms Ridout- Gauer. "As well, with the 37.5 acres, we are hoping to introduce small traîl rides to allow the students to get used to outdoor riding. The increascd room will alto provide a wonderful ares for the horses to run and relax after performing their stressful work." Ms Ridout-Gauer emphasized that volunteers are a key compo- nient to Windrush Stables and their dedicated work is always appreciated. Volunteers are needed in several capacities including helping the instructors with classes by leading the horse and hold- j! à H' 1. j11 e J ' 1 I1UCSil I , Iid 11y j ie Oc mmd 10- oilmarlous thci tasks such as clcaning tack, painting fences or office work. With the planned expansion, more volunteers will be needed. "We currently have a core group of about 12 volunteers that work two to three hours once a week. When we expand, we will need about 20 more volunteers to help the programs run smooth- ly," said Ms Ridout-Gauer. An open bouse wiIl be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow both fonmer and new students as well as possible volunteers a chance to view the new facilities, hear about Windrush Stables' plans, and see if the therapeutic riding programa would be benefi- cial for them, said Ms Ridout-Gauer. "We are very excited to be in our new location," she said. "We hope to maintain many of our old studenta as welI as appeal to new ones that are in the surrounding consmunities." For more information about prograins or volunteering at Windrush Stables, contact Ms Rîdout-Gauer at (905) 854-6008. - -