Team #713 Marsha Murray and Chinook
Team #713: Marsha Murray and Chinook
From: Benton, Louisiana
Ages: 69 & 32
Combined Age: 101
Test: Introductory Level Test B
Date: October 14, 2023
I was one of those individuals who was born loving horses. My Christmas and birthday dream was to find a horse tied to the tree outside our home! Alas, I was not able to have a horse growing up. My father had ridden in the Corps at Texas A&M as a student in the late 1930s-40s. I hope he was pleased that one of his six children grew up to ride and wear the tall boots!
After college and marriage, I began riding as an adult at Audubon Park in New Orleans in the late 1970s. Most of the horses were Saddlebreds, but one or two were Thoroughbreds and I was able to take a few jumping lessons. Later, I moved to Piaffe Academy in Algiers, Louisiana, where I learned to jump under the instruction of Ola Striegel. I competed in my first show at the New Orleans racetrack infield. Upon my return home to Bossier City, Louisiana, in 1979, I continued to compete in local hunter shows and fox hunted with the Caddo Hounds with Claude McCormick.
I lived in Memphis, Tennessee, for a short time in the early 1980s and stabled my horses at Melanie Smith Taylor’s parents’ barn (Melanie rode in the Olympics on Calypso) and with Ann Lee in Germantown, Tennessee. I returned home again and rode with Jennifer Welsh at Welsh Farms for several years. While there, I began my dressage journey with Jennifer learning the basics and competing in local and regional shows. Jeurgan Mainzer came frequently for clinics and shows. I learned more refined dressage skills from him. In 2001, I established my farm in Benton, Louisiana. I purchased Chinook, a Swedish Warmblood mare in 2007 from a student of Bobbie Paulk, trainer, and R judge. Chinook had been trained to the Intermediate Level by Wolfgang May (formerly of Temple Farms). I rode Chinook (barn name Snookie) in many dressage clinics and shows at Holly Hill Farm with Bobbie Paulk, David Jay, Wolfgang May, Sally O’Conner, Bill Woods, and Matt Cunningham. I won my Dover Adult Amateur Medal at Second Level with Chinook in 2008. One of our showing highlights was receiving a score of 9 for a canter depart at a recognized show in Houston. Chinook has been retired for several years but was eager to be ridden again and was excited (it took two of us to groom and saddle her) for our Century Club ride.
The gracious efforts of Kathy Calhoun, Marylyn Cahn, Marty Taylor-Harper, and Debra Davis added immeasurable joy to the occasion. Their lovely reception with snacks, dressage cake, “champagne,” and a beautiful bouquet was thoughtful and touching. I am deeply grateful to them. Last but certainly not least, a special thanks goes out to every one of my family: son, Paul St. Claire and my grandchildren, Conner, Harper, and Liam, and my supportive friends, especially Tammy Glenn, Caroline Sibley, Barbara Newtown, and Alma Perkins, who took the time to join me in this celebration. Their presence was a source of strength and motivation, and I am grateful beyond words for their support. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to The Dressage Foundation for sponsoring this program. Their support played a crucial role in making the day a resounding success.
