About Katie-
Katie has a rich background of experience with horses. She began riding at age 10, although her obsession with horses began much younger. She joined the local 4H club in Lexington, Va which exposed her to a variety of disciplines, including western riding, fox hunting, and side saddle.
At age 16, she joined the local Pony Club, and earned her C3 rating, as well as many team and individual competition wins. Katie competed successfully through training level eventing before focusing on her passion, dressage. She spent several years managing training barns and riding for other trainers before starting her own business in 2010.
Katie currently trains with FEI trainer JJ Tate, and has ridden with many top clinicians including: Charles de Kunffy, Richard Williams, Uwe Steiner, George Morris, and Jim Wofford. She is committed to building her education, and promoting classical training principles.
Katie is an active member of the local dressage community through the PVDA and serves as Chair of the New Market Chapter. She enjoys giving back by volunteering at various dressage shows, donating her handmade beaded browbands to PVDA and other equine causes, and putting her organizational skills to use by managing clinics and the Annual PVDA Waverly-on-Chester Chapter Challenge show.
When she’s not at the barn, Katie works part time as an equine veterinary assistant. She enjoys crafting custom beaded browbands and stock pins in the off season, and spending time with her husband, Liam Straton, an avid fly fisherman and AFA certified farrier. They currently reside in Westminster, Maryland with their three dogs, Patriot, S’mores and Ezra.
At age 16, she joined the local Pony Club, and earned her C3 rating, as well as many team and individual competition wins. Katie competed successfully through training level eventing before focusing on her passion, dressage. She spent several years managing training barns and riding for other trainers before starting her own business in 2010.
Katie currently trains with FEI trainer JJ Tate, and has ridden with many top clinicians including: Charles de Kunffy, Richard Williams, Uwe Steiner, George Morris, and Jim Wofford. She is committed to building her education, and promoting classical training principles.
Katie is an active member of the local dressage community through the PVDA and serves as Chair of the New Market Chapter. She enjoys giving back by volunteering at various dressage shows, donating her handmade beaded browbands to PVDA and other equine causes, and putting her organizational skills to use by managing clinics and the Annual PVDA Waverly-on-Chester Chapter Challenge show.
When she’s not at the barn, Katie works part time as an equine veterinary assistant. She enjoys crafting custom beaded browbands and stock pins in the off season, and spending time with her husband, Liam Straton, an avid fly fisherman and AFA certified farrier. They currently reside in Westminster, Maryland with their three dogs, Patriot, S’mores and Ezra.
''My goal is to adhere to the principles of classical dressage with every horse, every ride, and to continually build my own education, developing my skills as a rider, trainer, and teacher in order to benefit the horse."
Katie is proudly sponsored by Gunnar Galleries of Gettysburg, PA. Please visit their website by clicking on their logo. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Katie.
