Interview with Equestrian and National Guard Member Katie Murrell

Equestrian, poet and member of the National Guard, Katie Murrell wears many hats…and she looks good in all of them. It takes :alot to get up on a horse…and Katie did it when she was seven! “My very time on a horse, I was terrified! My family went on vacation to Hawaii, and we

all went horseback riding. My seven-year-old-self burst into tears when I was on the

horse for some reason, but we went on the trail ride, and I had a blast. we returned

home that summer, for my eighth birthday, I asked to ride a horse. A group of friends

took turns riding ponies around a short trail at the barn. From that point on, I always

asked for riding lessons, and the rest, as they say, is history!”

Katie has learned to get back on the horse…..quite literally. On her very first horseback riding lesson her horse threw her off. Katie describes herself as “shaken, but unhurt” “My instructor at the time convinced me to get back on a much less intimidating tiny little pony named Fuzzy, and I knew I had to go back. Over the years, I’ve fallen off countless times (most recently, in April of this year at a horse show!). I’m sure at times I was scared to get back on, but I knew that riding

horses was something that I loved to do, so no matter what happened, I would always get

back in the saddle”

Katie explains that riding a horse is just a small part of bonding with them. She grooms them, bathes them and shows them plenty of love. Currently, I love riding my instructor’s horse, Ella. She is a four-year-old Thoroughbred horse who raced at the track for a while before coming to this barn. She is very tall (which works best for me!), sweet, and fun to ride. Growing up, my favorite horse was a horse named Gambit. My old instructor helped me train him as a young horse, and he grew up to be a solid citizen. Gambit and I spent many wonderful hours together, riding in the ring or on the trails, or hanging out in the fields or in his stall. I would sit outside

his stall and read a book, and he would put his head in my lap. I would sit on the fence of

his paddock outdoors, and he would come over and nuzzle me. He whinnied at me when I

was coming down the barn aisle. It was through him that I realized what it took to build a

bond with a horse, and how much you could accomplish as a team when you trusted each other”

Katie has even competed in horse shows growing up, up until high school.  “I took a very long break from competition until2022, the year I turned 30, when I decided to try showing again. I did very well in my barn’s low-key show and realized how much I missed it. It is a rather expensive hobby, so I will only be able to do about one show a year, but I very much will continue to compete as an adult”

“I could talk forever about horses, so this was hard, but it’s a great question! I think the

number one rule is to understand that horses are prey animals, so they communicate

differently than we do. They have herd instincts and communicate primarily through

body language. They are incredibly sensitive to the way we feel and respond accordingly.

We must ask clearly what we want from them and set boundaries in a consistent and

congruent way. If we don’t, they may shut down or tune us out. The other thing is to be

patient and flexible with them. They are sentient beings, and weigh a lot more than we

do, so if they are just not feeling it that day, it may be hard to convince them otherwise.

What you’re asking them may be too much or they may not understand. At that point,

you must look at what you’re doing and see what you need to change. If it still is not

working, it is time to change plans. And that’s okay. My favorite quote, and the one that I

live by, is this: “If you are riding a horse, you have already won.” I’ll also add to that, “If

you are spending time with a horse, you have also already won.”

Katie says the worst thing you could do to a horse is punish them for not understanding you. “Yes, they require discipline and boundaries, just like people so, but they are not at fault for not understanding what you are asking them to do. It makes me angry to see riders going over the top with their punishment. As the leader in the horse/rider relationship, it is the rider’s job to be firm in setting boundaries, but not cruel”

Katie’s background  is full of different types of experience with horses. It is her true passion. “I have been riding since that birthday party I mentioned at eight years old, so it’s been

well over twenty years of experience. I have had the privilege of riding in different

disciplines, including jumping, Western (hello, barrel racing!), gymkhana (games/races

on horseback), dressage, trail riding, and cross-country jumping. I taught my very first

lesson when I was thirteen years old, and though I have had some time away over the

years, I have been teaching ever since. For my undergraduate studies, I went to school for

Equine Business and Psychology and did an internship at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding

where I obtained my certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. I began teaching at

GallopNYC in 2014, where I taught riding lessons and other horse-related skills to people

with disabilities. Though I am not teaching in that capacity anymore, I still maintain my

certification and volunteer with Pony Power, a therapeutic riding program in Mahwah,

New Jersey”

When I asked Katie if she could describe horseback riding in one word she said “Joy. The horse nerd in me can only describe it as joy. It is pure joy when you ride a 1200-

pound animal who does not speak the same language as you and, as a team, go over

jumps or race around a barrel or walk in the woods or on the beach. It has been proven

that the rhythm of a horse’s movement is therapeutic, both physically and mentally. But

also, being around horses, spending time with them, or just being in the barn, is a joy for me” That’s more than one word but we’ll let her have it,

On a completely different note Katie is a member of the National Guard. I decided to join the National Guard during COVID. I had settled into my work as a Vocational Expert and was looking for opportunities to develop myself as a leader and try something completely new. Throughout my professional career, I had worked with Veterans, either through teaching them horseback

riding/horsemanship, or job coaching and developing. I was amazed at the camaraderie

that the Veterans shared sometimes having never met each other, and the strength and

resilience they demonstrated. I wanted to be a part of that community, and now I have the

honor of serving in the United States Army”

When asked if the National Guard enhanced her life in any way Katie said “Absolutely, and in so many ways. The most important way is as a person and aprofessional. I am much more confident in myself. Life is also much more in perspective for me. If I can shoot a weapon, ruck 12 miles with 35 pounds on my back, or rappel down a 40-foot wall, what can’t I do? Being in the National Guard has also changed the way I think and address problems. I think much more proactively and am quicker to take charge and act than I used to be. The other important way is through the friends I have made. It is true that you bond deeply with the people who also serve. My friends in the National Guard have cheered me on, seen me at my worst, and helped me push through to succeed when I didn’t think I could do it. I am so much stronger because of them”

Katie’s biggest regret is not pursuing a career in the equine industry full time but she says “I explored opportunities as a working student, rider, and trainer, particularly working abroad.

Unfortunately, what I found at the time did not pay very well, so I decided to look

elsewhere. I am a spiritual person, and a firm believer that everything happens for a

reason, so I am quite confident that ultimately, I made the right decisions. My biggest joy

now is my time and my freedom. I am deeply grateful that I have two careers I enjoy, an

amazing boyfriend who shares so many of my interests, and wonderful family and

friends. I have the time and freedom to travel, I can read books, write, and perform poetry

in my down time, and I can spend time with those I love. My life goal is to travel to all 50

states, and I am joyful that my boyfriend (soon-to-be fiancé!) is always up for an adventure”

Thank you Katie for your service and thank you Katie for inspiring us with your passion and courage every day.