Accolades for Katie Murphy
Murphy Eventing
Katie Murphy and I first met years ago, naturally, because of horses. Katie was a member of her high school’s equestrian team which rode at the barn where I was a resident barn rat. Her mare, Sharre, was gorgeous, and I remember stopping by her stall to admire her every time I walked down the barn aisle.
Fast forward fifteen years or so and I’m still admiring Katie’s horses. She now rides as a professional Eventer and has an incredible talent for bringing young horses along. After graduating from college, she visited a breeding farm to pick out her next project. While horse shopping may sound fun, it takes an incredibly skilled eye to pick out the right horse. And when they’re as young as the prospects Katie was looking at, you really have to know your stuff. But she had no trouble picking out her future eventing mount, First Glance aka “Fitty” a dark bay weanling. Fitty arrived at her farm in the middle of a cold New Hampshire November. Katie slept huddled up under electric blankets in the barn aisle the first few nights to keep Fitty company and help him settle into his new home and the foundation for their partnership was laid. 
- excerpt from Jenna Leigh Teti Photography
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This past winter, I had the pleasure of riding and taking lessons with Katie Murphy. Katie took the time to help me work with and become a better team with my four-year-old Trakehner. Her positive teaching style provided me with the confidence to take on new challenges and improve skills with my horse. Through different exercises, jumping and flat, she helped us to understand each other a little better and build our skills. Through the coldest weeks, Katie was at our barn, always eager to teach our lessons. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to ride and learn with Katie!
- Zoe Michas and Electra GS
I was fortunate to be able to ride with Katie several times this winter. Being stuck in the indoor during off-season is difficult, especially for event horses and riders, but my lessons with Katie were constructive and refreshing. She challenged my horse and I and helped us break through some barriers in only a short amount of time. She is always encouraging and clear in her instruction . Katie’s knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication to the sport are evident. I am looking forward to working more with Katie in the future!
- Janelle Phaneuf
When I decided to head down to Florida for the winter one of my main concerns was helping my clients, who were staying at home, find a way to continue lessoning. Katie put all these worries at ease. I asked Katie if she would be interested in teaching as she is a great rider, a great communicator, and has her horses on a successful program. The drive was a hike for her and the weather was brutal, but still every weekend Katie would call in her cheerful way to recap the lessons of the day! It was a great feeling to be kept updated and to be able to bounce ideas off of each other for each rider’s individual needs. Every rider came away from the lessons feeling successful. Katie Murphy is a great role model for all in the sport of eventing as she's professional, dedicated, and willing to work as a team to better the sport. I look forward to working with Katie in the future and whole heartily recommend Katie for lessons, training, and clinics. I wish Katie and Fitty the best of luck for the season and can't wait to see how Emitt comes along!
- Jessica Halliday
This fall I decided I wanted to pursue eventing and was very lucky to have found Katie Murphy. Getting my horse on the bit was a fight every time and nearly felt impossible. Within 3 lessons, my thoroughbred and I had come from being stiff and resistant to each other, to soft and willing. Katie's method of give and take taught us patience, one of the most important parts of the infrastructure of successful training. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to work with Katie, as we now have a solid foundation to work off of!
- Nicole Parker and Homeward Bound
I had the pleasure of meeting Katie Murphy this winter when she came to do some clinics at our barn. I have two daughters 9 and 13 years old, both at different levels in eventing with completely different ponies. She took the time to find out what goals they had and what their horses had done in the past year. Katie was very professional yet easy for my kids to communicate with. She was encouraging and challenged them and their horses.
Katie had a long drive to our barn during the coldest month of the year and she was always on time, smiling thru the bitter cold and enthusiastic to help each rider! I applaud her commitment and dedication to this sport and to helping young ones achieve their goals in eventing!
- Kristin Freundlich
Mother to Taylor and Talia
It is with great pleasure and confidence that I address Katie Murphy’s skill and ability as an Event horse trainer.
I have known Katie for over four years and during this time she has exhibited the utmost professionalism, organization and determination in all her endeavors. Specifically, I have watched her train two talented but extremely different event horses to the Preliminary and Intermediate levels with great success. The first horse, a sensitive Thoroughbred mare, which needed retraining after a bad start with a previous owner. The patience and diplomacy in handling this mare resulted in a new horse with a winning record. This mare was then sold to an amateur rider who continues with enormous success. This is a direct result of Katie’s correct and patient training. The second horse is a young Dutch gelding that Katie purchased as a foal and trained to the Preliminary level. Again, her patience and classical approached has resulted in an outstanding Preliminary Level Event horse, who could excel in any individual discipline.
Katie’s systematic approach, to all aspects of horsemanship, provides each horse with an individualized training and stable management program. She applies new technology with old school traditions to provide the best feeding, conditioning and training plan. She looks at each horse as an individual and preserves their spirit while accomplishing the training goals. I look forward to Katie’s continued achievements in all her equestrian pursuits.
- Leslie de Grandmaison
USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
USDF “L” graduate with Distinction
British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Certified
www.saltboxfarmdressage.com
I have known Katie since she was a little girl, riding her chestnut pony, Deedee, in Pony Club. Through the years, I have watched her grow as a horsewoman and a competitor. I was proud to have her work with me coaching the Colby-Sawyer College Equestrian team and have come to have a deep respect for her dedication to her sport and her intellectual approach to training, conditioning, nutrition, shoeing and all other aspects of horsemanship. She clearly has a deep love for the horse as an animal and is one of the truly exceptional horsewomen of my acquaintance.
- Pam Payson
Colby-Sawyer College
Equestrian - Head Coach
While working with Katie, I found her to be a very polite, conscientious and driven rider with an apparent love for the horses and the sport.
- Leslie Law
2004 Individual Olympic Champion
Team Silver Medalist
