“Harper walked into my program six months ago and from the moment I started working with her I was impressed by both her natural talent and her determination to learn and grow. Harper has been a sponge for information, being able not only to learn quickly but to apply what she’s learned in a competitive environment. The first time she walked into the show ring I remarked to a friend that this kid is a true competitor. In a four-month period she has moved up three divisions in height and has won a medal final.
In addition to her impressive skill set, Harper is lovely to have as a student and fellow rider to the other students in my program. She is on time, put together and ready to learn each day. She has a positive word of encouragement for her barn mates and is the first one to offer to take videos and photos for them. Harper is an asset to any program for both her riding ability and her interpersonal relationship skills.”
~ Alicia Saxton, Owner and Head Trainer at Oceancrest Farms
“Harper joined our barn a little over six months ago and has swiftly become one of the most motivated and hardworking riders I’ve had the privilege of working with. What truly sets Harper apart is not only her innate talent but also her remarkable ability to be both light and effective as a rider. Coupled with her unwavering determination, Harper is a formidable presence in the show ring.
Beyond her riding prowess, Harper is an incredibly supportive member of our barn community. She’s the first to cheer for her fellow riders, the first to offer to take photos or videos, and the first to provide encouragement and boost their spirits after a challenging round. These small acts of kindness contribute to the overall positive atmosphere of our barn.
In essence, Harper embodies the qualities of an exceptional student and teammate.”
~ Alysia Lynch Sherard
“I first met Harper Morris in the summer of 2020 as a horse crazy 11 year old girl with minimal formal instruction, but a lot of raw talent and good horse sense that she gained from her backyard pony. Harper eagerly joined my riding school and learned everything she could from a variety of ponies, some much harder than others. She worked hard and soaked up as much horse knowledge as she could both in the lessons and around the barn. After a year in the riding school, she leased her first large pony, learned to jump, and found her way to show champion in no time. A year and a half later, she progressed to a seasoned warmblood mare. It was here that Harper’s dedication and hard work truly stood out. She would routinely pull her stirrup irons off the saddle and post the trot in correct form well past all others in the lessons and sometimes well past the lesson time was over. She was determined to improve her strength and stamina. Harper had an eye for detail and studied and strategized what it took to win. She was extremely motivated and always strove for perfection. As she improved, Harper moved on to horse after horse that would elevate her riding. Here she learned adaptability, patience, finesse, subtlety, and true partnership. She took advantage of each opportunity she could with different riding camps, clinics, and extra hacks around the barn. In 2025, she moved on from my program to ride the 3′-3’3 equitation exclusively on the rated circuit and even won her first 3′ medal finals. This win so early in her equitation career can very much be attributed to the hard work that she put in as a novice rider and all the different horses and opportunities that helped shape her. I have no doubt that she will be successful in her future riding career and beyond.”
~ Kim Cullip, owner and trainer of Royal Oak Stables
“I have had the pleasure of working with Harper as a member of our IEA team, and she has been a wonderful student. She has adapted well to hopping on new horses and takes every opportunity to listen to the instructions and feedback so that she can give each horse their best ride. She is a quiet rider and her calm personality translates well to the horses. She has a nice feel, and continues to build her skill set to work with different types of rides. In addition, she is very conscientious about their care, and makes sure everything is done properly before leaving practices. Harper is also a supportive teammate, cheering everyone on, and finding ways to help others when needed. If someone is missing gloves or needs boot polish, she would be the one to help the situation. Harper would be an asset to any team, and we look forward to having her continue on our IEA team until she graduates.”
~ Shayne Wireman, Chestnut Hills Team Coach