About Us
Our company is based on the belief that our equine friends deserve the best care, feed and shelter possible. We also believe that that the average horse owner needs to know correct horse care and health so that they are knowledgeable as to their horse's living conditions. Our equine friends not only benefit from the combined effort of the owners and care givers but thrive on it. They feel safe and secure under a constant daily routine.
Sadie and Crystal Turko, a mother / daughter team are the dynamics of Sunrise Meadows. This team from Manitoba was known as the "Duelling Turko's" in the Manitoba show rings. One or the other always had their eyes and voice with their students.
In Winnipeg, Sadie was the Head Coach and trainer of Copall Stables, which was the largest teaching school in Manitoba for over 25 years. There she overseen a staff of 8 coaches, who were all trained by her, as well as 4 barn staff and 3 office staff. Sadie developed a written teaching program which included fully illustrated manuals for the riding levels. All students were taught a consistent program through out their riding levels. Copall was a a 60 stall barn with 2 - 80' X 200' arenas end on end that you could ride one end to the other. Of the 250 students per week, Sadie and later her Daughter Crystal were responsible for the Show students in the following rings, Hunter, Jumper, and Dressage.
During her time at Copall, Sadie had many highlights to her career. They included:
A. Being the first double certified English / Western Coach in Canada.
B. Sitting on many committees on the Board of Manitoba Horse Council; including the English / Western Coaching Committees, Manitoba Summer Games Committee, Rules and Regulations, Course Designing, Representative of Eastman and Winnipeg Regions.
C. Senior Course Designer and Equestrian Expert for Modern Penathalon for the 1999 Winnipeg Pan Am Games.
D. Developing and writing the manuals for the Equine Program at Red River Community College.
E. Sitting on the Board of Parkland Horse Counciler as Secretary Treasurer.
F. Sitting on the Board of Manitoba Hunter Jumper Association as Secretary Treasurer.
G. Students in all levels of Hunter, Jumpers and Dressage Completions as well as Arabian Shows.
H. Mentoring of 30 plus coaching students in both English and Western Desicplines.
I. Developing and running a full time coaching certification course in conjunction with Red River Community College.
J. Writing a comprehensive rider level program including manuals and testing material.
K. Being a Senior Course Designer in both the Hunter and Jumper Rings.
L. Winner of the Coach of the Year Award.
M. Chief d'eqipp for Eastman and Winnipeg English teams for the Manitoba Summer Game.
Her daughter Crystal grew up in the horse industry. More importantly she grew up within the workings of Copall Stables. She started out as a barn worker by the age of twelve and by sixteen she was a junior assistant coach. She worked most evenings at the stable while keeping up an A+ average in school. She finished her grade 12 in 1/2 a year in order to work for Jonathon Asslin as a working student. She spent most of 2001 in Calgary. When she came home, Crystal took over the students from another coach who was leaving. By 2004 she had over 30 students. Many of them in the show ring as well as on average 5 horses in training for clients as well as showing them. At the same time she was training and showing syndicated horses. All of which sold for good profits.
In the fall of 2004 Crystal was recommend to a Spanish Grand Prix Rider as a working student. She left for Spain in November where she was based in Seville. From there she travelled all over Europe in charge of Alberto's horses and competing on her own horse Amaretto whom she bought while over there.
Unfortunately due to failing health in Manitoba extreme climate, Sadie and her husband left Manitoba in August of 2005. Copall Stables folded within 2 years Sadie left. Sadie became the general manager of Kingridge Stables in Nobleton, Ontario in the summer of 2005. Kingridge moves its operation to Ocalla Florida every winter from November to April. Crystal and her new horse Amaretto joined the family in Nobleton before moving to Ocalla.
Once again weather effected Sadie's health forcing a change in location and fortune. Florida proved to be too humid. The Turko family decided that Calgary area would provide the best area for a mild dry climate and the horse opertunities that was required. Shortly after that Crystal and Sadie had the opportunity to take over an existing facility and Sunrise Meadows was born.
We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.
Location: 5 minutes S.W. of Okotoks 1 km. south on 16th St. W. 1 km from Highway #7
Box 1614
Okotoks, Alberta
T1S 1B5
403 995 4161 or 403 890 2891
Hours: Winter (October to May) 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Summer (May - September) 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Other Coaches and Trainers
Sue Hewton Waters: is a Level 2 Dreassage trainer and teaches trailer ins on tuesday and friday afternoons. She is also a Senior Dressage Judge.
Sharon Heschl: is a Level 1 English trainer who handles most of the beginner lessons. She teaches primarily on weekends.
Kate Blanchet - Firth: is Ssunrise Meadows Working Student and is currently working all of our training horses and is building a client base of her own.
