Riding school has a new instructor

The Emerald Ranch riding school has a new proprietor. Lisa Murphy, of LT Equine, is taking over training and lessons at the ranch and will be running the school.

Murphy may be a relative newcomer to Central Oregon but she has a wealth of experience in training both horse and rider.

Emerald Ranch owner Don Chelew is delighted to have his goals for the ranch intersect with those of Murphy.

"We have the same point of view that safety is paramount," he said. "We've adhered to that for years and have a reputation built on it."

Murphy does have a few changes in mind for the school. She is incorporating an advanced section, focusing on specific disciplines. These additions will move Emerald Ranch from a strictly Western-based program to one that offers hunt seat, dressage, jumping and halter/showmanship, as well.

"My goal is to be able to broaden the program and allow students to advance," she said.

She comes from a hunter/jumper background, having decided at a very early age that horses would be her vocation. She went to New Zealand in 1985, at age 14, to spend a year riding hunters there and training with eventing legend Mark Todd. Murphy spent the next 10 years training with a list of who's-who of classical and natural horsemanship. Hilda Gurney, George Morris, Kathleen Raine, Bruce Davidson, Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli and Dr. Deb Bennet are some of her mentors.

"My style is a synthesis of classical riding fundamentals and a deep understanding of equine behavior," she said.

Murphy found out about the sale of the riding school through Megan Weaver, who will be her associate instructor. She is also open to offering internships or working-student positions to qualified young people.

The school isn't limited to kids, though. Adult students at any level are welcome. Prospective students may take lessons on school horses or their own mounts, and boarding is available for those who will be in training or lessons.

For more information call 504-1284 or go to http://www.ltequine.com. The spring break schedule is listed in the SOAR catalog.