A Special Thank You.

Sojourn TRC would like to extend sincere thanks to Daina Tricou for bringing our programs to the highest level!! Daina enabled Sojourn TRC to achieve higher levels of success by building a beautiful, state of the art facility specifically for the Sojourn TRC family of horses, riders, parents, and everyone who has the good fortune to cross paths with Sojourn! 

Daina's Words:

When my daughter Christina was taking horseback riding lessons, I would help her groom and tack her mounts, as I too, was very drawn to the horses.  She became more accomplished and started taking dressage lessons with Barbara Mulry, and volunteering with Barbara's growing therapeutic riding program - Sojourn.  While waiting for Christina’s lessons or volunteering to take place, I would help out with paperwork and volunteer organization. I learned to lead horses for therapeutic lessons and to work with clients with widely differing abilities and challenges. I continued to pick hooves, learned to work with various equine professionals, even help evaluate new horses for the program. I helped with various forms of fundraising. Along the way, I learned a bit more of riding myself, and learned to drive both a miniature and a full size horse.  Oh, and shovel manure. Lots of manure.

When I first met Barbara and Sojourn, it was operating in an unheated family horse barn and small arena with the most rudimentary of facilities for human comfort. It was clear that Sojourn needed a facility to run programs that included climate controlled waiting space for family members of clients and real restrooms. We searched for a few years and finally found a property in Green Garden Township. We undertook a several year project to develop the property to build a stable with a large indoor arena and attached office and classroom spaces.  The horses got pastures and all-season paddocks. There were several acres left over for an outdoor arena and hay fields.

I look forward to seeing Sojourn thrive and to expand its program offerings, to serve people who can be helped by interacting with horses. I feel I have gained so much by working with and alongside these creatures, and hope to continue to help others enhance their lives through the power of the horse.