Horses and riding have been a part of Catherine Cruger’s life as long as she can remember. Starting out at the age of five she remembers riding in Bedford, New York, at Judy Richter’s Coker Farm with her son Philip. From her very fisrt lesson she knew that riding Would be her life long passion.

As a junior rider on the East Coast, Catherine competed at a national level traveling to horse shows such as Ox Ridge, Old Salem, The Winter Equestrian Festival, The Hampton Classic, Devon, and Harrisburg. Riding under Leslie Kogos at her Larkspur Farm in Wilton CT, Catherine was privileged to train with Timmy Kees as well as Dressage trainer Brian Forde. Catherine’s main goal as a junior was to focus on showing in the Equitation division. Catherine qualified for all the major medal finals, ASHA Medal, ASPCA Maclay, and USET for three consecutive years.

Catherine was ranked in the top 25 riders in the nation by the PHA (Professional Horseman’s Association). Even though the Equitation was Catherine’s main focus she gained extensive experience in the jumper ring riding several of Leslie Kogos’ sale horses. As Catherine remembers, even when she had three horses to take to a horse show she was always looking for another horse that she could put in the trailer. “I just loved showing”, Catherine recalls. “All I ever wanted to do was show and qualify for the big indoor shows“. “ All I ever wanted to do was ride, riding has always been my passion”. While riding with Leslie Kogos in Wilton, CT, Catherine discovered that not only was she passionate about riding but she really enjoyed teaching. “My parents were very supportive of my riding but there was only one way to show more horses and more often, I had to work”! “Leslie was great, she gave me the opportunity to ride as much as I possibly could and gave me students to teach along the way”. Catherine taught riding to several young students at Larkspur Farm while juggling a busy show schedule.

After a very successful junior career, Catherine took a step back from riding to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. After her freshman year Catherine went on the University of Denver, later graduating with honors with a double major in Psychology and Sociology.

After college Catherine went on to work for very successful hunter/ jumper trainer Laurie Juneaman at her Snowfield Farm in Vail, Colorado. She gained a tremendous amount of experience taking over her lesson program while she traveled to “A” shows on the West coast.

“I feel very lucky to live in a place that I love and do what I love”. Bend is a wonderful area with a large horse community. “I enjoy the challenge of getting students goal oriented in a sport that takes, focus, determination, passion, and commitment”.