Our Team
We are very proud to work with an absolutely incredible group of individuals that facilitate private and group lessons as well as leading interactive and engaging clinics - working from the fundamental skills through to the most advanced and innovative techniques in horsemanship.
Leslie Saila
The owner of Glen Oro Farm, formerly an advanced-level rider. She has been riding for over 55 years and is well known for starting and developing quality young horses, and they have been sold all over North America for over 40 years. Leslie was the winner of the Canadian Intermediate Three Day Event Championship in 1987 and again in 1989. In 1987 she was given an award from the Premiere of Ontario for outstanding contribution to the sport and has been directly involved with Oro-Medonte's developing renown as an eventing hub.
Sally sainsbury
Sally grew up showing jumpers as a junior and went on to manage, and work as assistant trainer at Jokers Hill with John Weir. Later she operated a large hunter/ jumper barn of her own, before training on a freelance basis. At this point eventing riders became the focal point of her training, with a show jumping specialty. Having acquired her recorded status in course design, Sally now designs show jumping courses at numerous Ontario events.
Hugh Morshead
One of our cross-country course builders, Hugh has brought an incredibly unique and creative approach and worked with the rolling fields and forests at Glen Oro to create a flowing course that makes riders and their horses rise to the occasion. From humble beginnings as a young horse thief in Ireland, Hugh smuggled himself on a freighter bound for the New World and has now designed courses all over Canada, authored books on construction and design. He believes that the landscape should dictate the course, and works to that effect utilizing natural hazards as obstacles and challenges. As a world traveller, Hugh has often returned enlightened and inspired to continue creating here.
Ian Roberts
Ian Roberts has represented Canada at international three - day Eventing competitions throughout North America and the world. His extensive experience includes competing at the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games and the Rolex Kentucky CCI****. Ian has developed an excellent reputation for his coaching abilities and is a Level 3 Equine Canada coach. He coached Ontario Young Riders teams at several North American championships and many of his former students have gone on to become top Canadian riders. Currently, Ian is Coaching Chairman for the Canadian Eventing Committee. He recently was named coach of Costa Rica’s National Eventing Team and at the team’s first international competition, the Central American Games, his riders earned team bronze and individual silver. Adding to his many talents, Ian is also an excellent cross-country course designer and showcased his skills here when Glen Oro hosted the OHTA Sr. Eventing Championships in 2017.
John Kersley
John rose up through the ranks of competition in Britain's pony club system, finishing third in the British Jrs. He has also done an apprenticeship as a farrier, before going to work for British 3-day medallist Bertie Hill. He then became a 4-time winner of the Tidworth 3-day event and has competed at Badminton as well as Burghley. After riding for Great Britain in numerous championships he moved to Canada in 1978 to follow three horses he trained while at Bertie's, which went on to represent Canada and win gold at the WEGs in Kentucky that same year. He stayed in Canada, and has produced many top level horses for Hunter and Jumper as well as Eventing and his list of accomplishments also is incredibly long and diverse since becoming professional in the 1970s.
