“My name is Katie Atkinson and I am a trainer based in the Raleigh, NC area. My business partner, Beverly Burnette and I together run a successful Hunter, Jumper and Equitation business. We are active at the A and AA shows around the country.
I am writing on behalf of a student of ours, Cate Urquhart who has, for a long time expressed great interest in riding for a college team. I am writing to provide a little information as to her riding ability, work ethic and team skills.
This year she will be competing in the 3’6 Junior Hunters and the 3’6 Equitation medals, with goals of Junior Hunter Finals and Medal/Maclay Finals. I am happy to provide videos as needed.
Cate is an educated and accurate rider, soft and with a great feel. She has a natural and gifted talent for riding the track and pace around a course of jumps, and this winter has spent a great deal of time in developing a feel for the lateral movements and straightness required for correct flatwork. She is currently riding a large variety of horses almost daily and is able to adapt to each horse very quickly in order to get the best out of each one of them.
Cate is very teachable and handles correction well. On the ground, she has great empathy for the horses and loves to take care of them, be it icing, wrapping, packing feet and anything else to help keep them happy and comfortable. She deserves the title of a hard worker.
Cate is very active in educating herself to the roles of the vet and farriers, making it a point to be present whenever possible to further gain her own knowledge, and also to ensure she is abreast of her own horses needs/treatments.
She is a valuable teammate to the other girls in the barn, always happy to help if needed, or to go to the ring to cheer them on at shows!
I hope that this letter can be of some use to you, and please feel free to reach out as needed!”
~ Katie Atkinson
“I am honored to write this letter of recommendation for Cate Urquhart as she applies for a spot on your college equestrian team. I have had the privilege of teaching Cate horse riding lessons since she was just seven years old, and in that time, I have watched her grow into a phenomenal athlete but also an outstanding young woman of character, determination, and sportsmanship.
Cate’s natural talent for riding was evident from an early age, but what truly sets her apart is her unwavering dedication to the sport and most importantly the horse. She approaches every challenge with resilience, whether mastering a new skill, refining her technique, or competing under pressure. Her ability to form a deep bond with her horses, coupled with her keen sense of discipline and work ethic, makes her an exceptional equestrian. Beyond her athleticism, Cate is a leader among her peers, always willing to lend a helping hand in the barn and offering encouragement to her fellow riders. She exemplifies the spirit of teamwork, respect, and perseverance, qualities that will make her an invaluable asset to your team.
I have no doubt that Cate will bring that same passion and excellence to your program that she has displayed throughout her riding and working student career with me. Her drive to succeed, combined with her sportsmanship and love for the horse, makes her a standout candidate. I wholeheartedly recommend her for your team and am confident she will contribute immensely to your program.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.”
~ John Lewis, Meadow Lane Stables, jlewis@racewayag.com, 843-230-1253
“I am a graduate of Averett University in Danville, Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education: Horsemanship. I have a British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Degree from The Moat House in Benenden, Kent, England. I have been successfully training hunters, jumpers and equitation riders and horses for forty-seven years.
In October of 2022 while teaching a clinic in South Carolina, I met and taught Cate Urquhart. I recognized Cate’s natural talent as well as her ability to understand and follow directions though I asked things of her she had never done. I stayed in touch with her trainer and followed her progress for the next 3 years. I went to the ring and watched her show several times before she came to ride with me in North Carolina. She has a remarkable presence in the show ring and horses love her.
I am fortunate to get to help her at this stage of her riding career. She is able to ride green or difficult horses without losing her focus or patience. Her passion and curiosity for all things needed to develop confident horses is inspiring to those around her. She is involved in everything from farrier work to acupuncture to veterinary diagnostics and treatment while living 3 hours away from her show horses. I believe that Cate will be an asset to a college riding team at the Varsity level.
Cate’s ability to read her mounts and quickly adjust her position and mind set to create harmony with the horse are skills few people her age possess. Her tenacity and work ethic are exemplary. She is organized, methodical, dedicated and remembers minute details. She is a pleasure to work with and a team player in the barn.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information. I am thrilled that our sport is finally receiving the recognition it deserves through college programs and hope that you will follow Cate’s progress and consider adding her to your roster.”
~ Beverly Burnette, (919) 264-9782
“I am pleased to recommend Cate Urquhart for a position on your Division 1 Equestrian team. As a student I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in Honors Geometry, I’ve seen firsthand how Cate’s dedication, discipline, and work ethic translate across all areas of her life, including her passion for equestrian sports.
Cate’s success as a student is a clear reflection of her strong ability to balance a demanding academic schedule with her extracurricular commitments. She maintains an impressive weighted GPA of 5.13 while excelling in advanced coursework, including Latin IV and French III. Her ability to stay focused and organized in both her studies and athletic pursuits is exceptional.
In the equestrian arena, Cate stands out as a dedicated and accomplished competitor. As an MVP on her school’s equestrian team for the past two years, she has consistently demonstrated not only skill but leadership and sportsmanship. Her position on the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Junior Board is a testament to her commitment to the sport and her ability to take on leadership roles within the equestrian community. Cate’s work as a working student with John Lewis at Meadow Lane Stables has allowed her to further develop her horsemanship skills, while also teaching her valuable lessons in discipline, responsibility, and teamwork.
Cate is also passionate about pursuing a career as a veterinarian, and her dedication to animals is evident in her ongoing commitment to both her equestrian endeavors and her community involvement. Her work with Meadow Lane Stables and her extensive experience with horses speaks directly to her love for animals and her desire to build a career in animal care. Her focus on becoming a veterinarian shows not only her compassion but also her drive to pursue a challenging and impactful profession.
In addition to her equestrian and academic pursuits, Cate is actively involved in several clubs at her school, including the Girls Service Club, Humane Society Club, Spirit Club, and Acts of Kindness Club. These roles have allowed her to build a well-rounded character, contributing both academically and socially to her community.
Her ability to juggle her academics, work commitments, and competitive riding makes her an ideal candidate for a Division 1 Equestrian team. Cate has the maturity, focus, and work ethic necessary to thrive at the collegiate level, and I have no doubt she will make significant contributions to your team both in competition and beyond.
Thank you for your time and consideration.”
~ Mr. Matthew Smith, Mathematics Instructor, Trinity Collegiate School
“Please accept this letter of recommendation on behalf of Catherine (Cate) Urquhart. It has been a pleasure teaching Cate in PreAP chemistry this school year. Though I have only had Cate in class for one year, her work ethic and maturity is what makes Cate a standout in class. She is dedicated to her studies, especially while traveling for her horse shows and training.
Cate is a hard-working individual who balances academics with her equestrian activities. She is a strong communicator. She shared her horse show calendar with faculty to demonstrate her commitment to her horses and her academics. She emails for advance work especially if her schedule has changed. She never complains and puts in the extra work to better understand the concepts. It’s safe to say Cate is driven!
In the classroom, Cate is a well-respected student by her teachers and her classmates. She is highly motivated and enjoyable to work with. She works ahead, making certain that her assignments are turned in ahead of time or immediately when she returns to class. She is an often-sought lab partner, as Cate is curious about physical phenomena and has strong chemistry knowledge for lab activities. I am excited to recommend Cate, and it is my hope that she can continue her studies as she is an aspiring veterinarian. I look forward to following her career!”
~ Heather Miller, Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Trinity Collegiate School