The Journey

Having grown up on a farm and boarding facility, with a mother who is also a trainer, riding, training, and the entire equestrian lifestyle has always been a way of life — it’s in my blood. I vividly remember falling in love with Dressage at the age of eight.

I am a USDF Bronze Medalist with Distinction and Silver Medalist, achievements I proudly earned on my self-trained horse. I have shown an array of horses from Training Level through Intermediare I, and I am currently pursuing my USDF Gold Medal, with just two scores remaining.

I believe one should be an internal student, and am deeply committed to continuing my education and professional development. I am working toward my USDF Judge License through the L-Program, an educational curriculum designed to cultivate judges’ understanding of correct training and classical dressage principles. I am also pursuing USDF Trainer Certifications, which enhance teaching structure and ensure consistency and standards within our sport.

Over nearly three decades, I have gained experience across every realm of the horse industry and have earned my way up - from facility management to being a working student and assistant for highly esteemed FEI trainers, to ultimately founding Katie Erpel Dressage in Aiken. I have also been a Trainer at PRE and Westphalian breeding farms, starting horses under saddle and developing them systematically through the levels.

Along the way, I have learned from a multitude of mentors, highly respected judges, Olympians, and internationally competitive FEI/Grand Prix trainers. My journey beganm in Georgia at the age eight and continued with instructors such as: Jules Anderson, Adam Lastowka, Roel Theunissen, Sandy Osborn, Carol Ludwig, Lisa Wilcox, Liz Austin, Lyndon Rife, Stacey Hastings, Katie Poag, Shawna Harding, Natalie Lamping, Jayne Ayers, Julio Mendoza, Scott Hasler, Paul Belasik, Jeremy Steinberg, Anne Gribbons, Laura Abner, Christoph Theallet, Jochen Hippenstiel, Alison Head, Felicitas von Neumann, Conrad Schumacher, and most recently clinicing regularly with JJ Tate.

Each of these influences has contributed pieces to the puzzle of my development as a well-rounded, educated, thinking, and feeling rider and trainer. The common thread is that there is always a system — regardless of style, whether French or German - good back to front riding is good riding, producing a well-trained, strong, athletic, balanced, happy horse. I follow a Methodical Classical Dressage System that is tried and true. Harmony is not elusive; it emerges from systematic dressage work and a rider who truly feels the horse.

In my free time, I read every Dressage book, study biomechanics, mindfulness, pilates, yoga, and sports psychology, integrating these concepts into my riding, training, and teaching to create thinking riders - not students who simply react to the horse or follow instructions. I strive to teach the system behind training and why it works, emphasizing both the physical and mental connection between horse and rider.

Students describe my approach as fair, thorough, and patient. I believe in the philosophy of: “as soft as possible, but as firm as necessary.” No matter the breed, I deeply enjoy developing each horse to its athletic potential, prioritizing relaxation and suppleness before pushing to the next level.

Partnership Opportunities and Aspirations

Like many dedicated trainers, I am deeply driven and committed to pursuing excellence in high-performance Dressage, with aspirations to compete at the upper levels among the sport’s elite. To achieve that, it requires a truly exceptional horse. With my education, experience, network, and personal farm, I am prepared to guide a talented horse toward high-performance competition.

If you have a special, talented horse and are interested in a partnership, please feel free to reach out to discuss potential partnership details.