Testimonials

Want to get a feeling for what it is like working with Katie?  Read below for warm words from her clients and associates:

 

Wiecor Trot PSG Saturday Nov 2014

Katie Haugh and Wiecor VA, owned by March Enders at US Dressage Finals in Lexington, Kentucky 2014.

Katie has trained and competed my horse, Wiecor VA, for the last two years. During that time, he has advanced from Second Level to Prix St. Georges and he will be competing at Intermediare 1 in 2015. She has shown him with great success at Morven Park, Lexington, Dressage at Devon, the Region 1 BLM championships (where she won three championship classes in 2013), and at the USDF finals in Lexington, Kentucky in 2014, where she finished a close fifth in the Fourth Level Musical Freestyle.

In addition to rapidly bringing Wiecor up to FEI level, Katie has been a delight to work with in every way. She works very hard at bringing the horses she works with to top strength through careful conditioning. She has worked carefully and successfully on the most difficult parts of creating an FEI horse – steadier impulsion, increasing collection and lightness, and works very comfortably and effectively with each member of the horse’s team. She is an excellent communicator and problem-solver. It is a great pleasure, and very rewarding, to have Katie as my horse’s rider and competitor. I would give her the highest possible rating in every way.

–March Enders

 

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Katie Haugh, Trainer Mary Flood, Owner Wallace Kornack, and Wiecor VA

I love teaching. Especially the type of rider that Katie is and is becoming. She respects the horse first, is willing to work very diligently on improving herself and becomes a partner with the horse, not just the dictator. When she gets on a horse the horse immediately trusts her. She takes the time to listen to what the horse is telling her and then has a plan that stays flexible to advancing that horses ability. Her joy in riding shows in the harmony between them. It is the lucky horse who gets Katie as her rider.

–Mary Flood

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June and her new partner, Shamrok Hit aka Rocky

Katie is a very talented and dedicated FEI rider, instructor, and trainer for people and horses of all ages. Katie was instrumental in helping me find my next life-long dressage partner. She monitored all horse sales site 24/7  and traveled with me at a moment’s notice, even to the West Coast, where we ultimately found him. I could trust Katie to represent me during the process and ensure a through evaluation of the horse from evaluating conformation, to “test” riding, to proper vetting, and negotiation. Katie is a true partner in every sense of the word. She works closely with her clients to set and achieve goals, communicates regular training updates to Sponsors/owners, and is very attuned to her students’ needs to help them achieve their riding goals.

I highly recommend Katie to anyone looking for a rider, trainer, or instructor, as well as, someone looking to buy/sell a horse!


– June Hudson


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Katie Haugh and Haf A Chance owned by Gail Winters

It was a wonderful experience watching Katie work with my horse, Winston (Haf A Chance). Katie is a thoughtful rider with a nice methodical training regimen that builds muscle, flexibility and confidence in a horse. She was able to challenge him without ever taking him too far out of his comfort zone and ended each session on a positive note. She was sensitive to his quirks and always gave him the opportunity to understand that he could do what was being asked of him. As an owner, I appreciated that I was kept up to date on his training and was included in the process.

— Gail Winters

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Abby on KBH Equestrian’s NPJ Copper Sand

Katie Haugh has been an excellent trainer for my daughter. For over six years, Katie has helped my daughter to develop as a rider. Katie encourages goal-setting, and then follows through with individualized instruction that has led my daughter and the horses she has ridden to reach and even surpass goals at competitions. Katie draws not only on an extensive background as a rider, but also on her education and experiences as a teacher in a classroom setting. I have always been impressed by Katie’s organization, attention to detail, and respect for both students and horses.

–Donica Haraburda

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Katie Haugh riding 3 year old Russian owned by Tamara Heckman and Uphill Dressage

I have known Katie Haugh for a few years now. We both ride and train with Mary Flood at Wildfire Farm in Lovettsville, Virginia. I also own and manage a boarding, training, breeding facility in Western PA.

I recognized in Katie the qualities it takes to become a professional in the horse industry. Not only is she a lovely rider, she is dedicated and determined to get the job done. In 2013 I recruited Katie to ride my upcoming three year old gelding, Russian, in the Morven Park breed show as his regular rider had other commitments.  We brought him to Virginia a few days early for Katie to “get to know him” a little better before the show. We noticed  in the practice ride that Russian liked to stick to other horses in the arena. We knew this magnetic effect was going to be a little tricky as they had to compete in both the Suitability and Materiale classes with five or six other horses all trotting and cantering at the same time. Katie handled the rides beautifully. Russian was very well behaved, but once got too close to another horse and Katie had to steer him strongly away. They ended up taking a jump over a small jump as if they planned it that way. Katie and Russian were third in each of their classes. I was very proud of both of them.

I am happy to say that Katie purchased a Rosenthal/Sinatra Song filly from me last year. I was thrilled that the filly would go to a young professional who can train her up the levels. I am looking forward to sharing in all of their achievements.

– Tamara Heckman from Uphill Dressage

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Abby on KBH Equestrian’s NPJ Copper Sand

Katie has taught me for my whole six year riding career. She is a very driven and determined person. I’ve learned, grown, and accomplished great things with her behind me, encouraging me, and pushing me to do the best I can do. She’s given me a lot of opportunities and one-on-one help to advance in my schooling and competing. Katie’s dedication to her work has made her a strong and smart rider and trainer who inspires me to work hard like she does.

– Abby Haraburda

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Katie McDaniel and Prince 2015

My horse, Prince, and I started training with Katie almost a year ago. Katie emphasizes building a correct and strong foundation, and through her training, I have gained a better understanding of dressage, as well as seen and felt noticeable improvements in Prince’s way of going, muscling and in my riding. She always has a goal oriented lesson plan (and props/aids when necessary), is very good at explaining why we are doing an exercise and what we are trying to achieve from it, provides meaningful and positive feedback, and even occasionally hops on Prince to make sure she has a clear understanding of what I am feeling during my ride to better explain how to improve or change it. Last fall, Prince and I delved into the world of starter horse trials, and I have seen a noticeable improvement in my dressage scores from previous shows, and more confidence in our jumping due to our quality flat work. I’m very excited for our future in the sport, and hope that our jumping will keep pace with our much improved dressage work!

                                                                                                    – Katie McDaniel

Katie's Phone Jan 18th 2016 868

Charlotte with KBH’s School Horse, Mandy.

Katie and I were colleagues for six years at Cool Spring Elementary School.  As a special education teacher, I was able to witness firsthand her exceptional teaching qualities as we worked together in an inclusive setting!  Following my retirement last year, Katie offered to take me on as a student, after I expressed my desire to engage in riding lessons following many years of being “out of the saddle”.

I look forward to each lesson with Katie!  She displays a manner which is intuitive, patient, and encouraging while helping me to achieve my goals.  Katie’s observant attention to every detail and constructive feedback has pushed me to do my best and restored my confidence in all aspects of horsemanship.

Katie is always professional and positive as a riding instructor.  She answers any questions I may have and provides reasons behind the skills she asks me to complete throughout a lesson.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to be “back in the saddle” under Katie’s tutelage!

-Charlotte Benevento

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Lili and Jaser schooling cross-country at Frying Pan Park 2016.

I started taking lessons with Katie a few months ago and it has been a wonderful experience.  After struggling to find an instructor who I connected with, I was so excited to find someone who truly ‘teaches with a purpose’. Katie is familiar with what each student is trying to achieve and has a lesson plan in mind. Each lesson is aimed at tackling a certain goal (or a few, if we’re feeling really ambitious!) and I leave the lesson feel like progress has truly been made. Katie also has a great teaching demeanor, and never gets frustrated or impatient despite how many attempts a given task may take. I never feel like I’m “on the clock” during my lesson because it’s clear that Katie loves horses and loves teaching her students. I’m very excited to see how much more progress my horse and I can make with Katie by our sides.

– Lili O’Connell

Cassidy

Cassidy

Katie Haugh is a talented up-and-coming dressage rider, as well as, instructor. Her upbeat attitude, unique teaching methods, and clear instruction has allowed me to make tremendous progress. Katie is definitely a go to instructor for Northern VA area equestrians!

– Nikki Jacoutot

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Katie Haugh and Rugby V, owned by Susan Lynch

Katie has been riding and helping to train my horse Rugby for the past two years.  Rugby and Katie have always placed in the ribbons and been at the top of the class.  She is reliable and someone I can trust to help train my horse.

– Susan Lynch