Wendy Murdoch is an internationally recognized equestrian instructor and clinician for over 30 years, author of several books and DVDs, and creator of Ride Like A Natural® and the SURE FOOT® Equine Stability Program. She is one of the most skillful teachers ever encountered in any equestrian discipline. Wendy’s desire to understand the function of both horse and human, curiosity, and love of teaching capitalizes on the most current learning theories in order to show riders how to exceed their own expectations.
In 1984, while attaining her master’s degree in equine reproductive physiology Wendy suffered a severe riding accident. Her self-rehabilitation started a quest to understand and answer the question of how to ride pain-free, using the body as it was designed. Wendy’s uncanny ability to find and study with the best people in a variety of fields and her profound curiosity make her unique. Wendy combines her creative talents with her scientific training to break down larger concepts of riding into simple, easy-to-do exercises for students of all ages, abilities, and disciplines. Her ability to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and fun through in-depth presentations, both mounted and unmounted, helps her students connect the dots and achieve their goals.
Her studies include an apprenticeship with Sally Swift, and extensive training with Linda Tellington-Jones, Dr. Joyce Harman, Jon Zahourek (Anatomy in Clay®), and Dr. Hilary Clayton. To help her guide students towards better function Wendy became a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner® and continued her study through MBS Academy and Dr Feldenkrais’ first assistant, Mia Segal. Her fascination with the mind/body connection between horse and rider has led her to explore courses outside the equine world and bring that information to her students. Her willingness to embrace new ideas led Wendy to develop the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program, which allows horses to reprogram their own brain in order to feel more grounded, secure and confident in order to become a more willing partner. This innovative Program is an extension of Wendy’s believes; we each have within us our own teacher that recognizes what is best for our own well-being. We simply need the options and opportunity to discover what we innately recognize and know.
Wendy writes articles for a wide variety of magazines and is a regular contributor to Eclectic Horseman Magazine. She is the author of Simplify Your Riding and the Ride Like a Natural Part 1 – 3 DVD series, 50 Five-Minute Fixes to Improve Your Riding and 40 Five-Minute Jumping Fixes to Improve Your Riding.
Topic: Simple Saddle Solutions for a Secure and Stable Seat
Description: Riders of all disciplines attempt to shape their posture into the image of a secure and stable rider. But are they truly secure? In this demonstration, Wendy will not only show the rider how safe and effective their current position is (or isn’t!) but also how to achieve a functionally secure and stable position in just minutes.
Horse / Rider Needs - Riders that are at a minimum capable of walk/trot/canter and/or jump that are the equivalent of a 1st level rider (Western or English) open-minded, willing to do unorthodox but effective techniques to improve their performance.
Topic: Improve Your Horse's Performance with SURE FOOT!
Description: The horse’s overall balance and security, posture, and stability -- as well as muscular development -- for carrying the weight of a rider is critical for good performance. Perhaps more importantly is the horse's ability to relax, especially in trying circumstances. SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads help horses become calm and confident. and therefore, more resilient and able to perform with greater ease. These benefits can have lasting effects on overall health and performance, while also extending the useful life of the horse.
Horse / Rider Needs - Horses can be either mounted or ridden, open to horses of all levels, including advanced-level horses that want to improve performance. Western and English disciplines welcome.
Topic: Mastering The Biomechanics Of The Half-Halt
Description: The half-halt is the key to rebalancing the horse for performance. While we all know he “should” work from behind, getting the horse to respond is another matter. And, while there are many different descriptions of how to rebalance your horse, few people explain it in clear, simple terms like Wendy Murdoch. She’ll break this down into simple, clear elements everyone will understand.
Horse / Rider Needs - Riders who are at a minimum capable of walking/trotting/canter and/or jumping, and who are the equivalent of a 1st level dressage rider or above. Hunter-seat horse/riders are also welcome.
June 6-8, 2025
Friday June 6th 9:00 AM – 6: 00 PM
Saturday June 7th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday June 8th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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We love dogs, but we ask that you please leave your pups home while attending the Horse Expo. Thanks!
Photos courtesy of Carolynne Smith, Elizabeth Ruiz, Kathy Higgens, Fuentes, Hill Shepard, Charles Hilton, Kala Johnson, Jessi Hogan, Tyson Rininger, Traci Nelson, Lisa Reese, and Constance Birdsong Photos.
