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Cali Murphy and Berlin Oltean
Cali Murphy has always been in love with all things horses. She has two of her own quarter horses and would live in the barn with them if she could says her mom.
“Rain or shine she is always the first one down to take care of the horses and stays as long as she possibly can” Cali’s mom tells us. “She has shown interest in all disciplines and so far loves them all.”
Cali says she still has a few things on her list of things to try including bronc riding!
Murphy is a member of ther local Rodeo Club and participates in the Alberta Equestrian Federation ride and drive program. Unfortunately due to covid she wasn’t able to show as much as she would have liked but that didn’t stop her from working hard to improve her skills and make sure her horses stayed in the best possible shape.
Cali is the type who loves to help; she volunteers helping her riding instructor teach lessons by demonstrating and encouraging confidence in other young riders. If there is someone struggling Cali is always the first one to stop what she’s doing and rush over to help. She has participated in local clinics and vet days at the barn where she assists in every way she can.
She has fun sharing horse knowledge with her peers who also have a passion for horses. When she’s not with the horses she’s home reading training books or watching YouTube videos on how to advance her and her horses’ skills.
In the last few years Cali has started making her own natural horse products and treats (Neigh by Cali) to raise awareness about different equine medical conditions including Cushings Disease. This entrepreneurial idea came about after her own horse had been diagnosed with Cushings Disease, as she understood that the medication and treatment would be an additional cost to her horse’s care.
Cali tells us that she wants to attend horse veterinary school when she graduates and train horses on the side. She has a true passion for horses, as well as helping and encouraging others. Her mom says “It’s very inspiring to see how serious she is about her passion and love for the industry! To her it’s not just about the riding but everything in between as well.”
Berlin Oltean of Saskatchewan, is a bright, well-mannered, outgoing and enthusiastic young rider who is supported in her riding endeavors by her Mom, Meghan, and Grandmother and family in general as well as her coaches.
In 2019 she participated in the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) Ranch Horse Classic; at just seven years of age she compeited in the Youth Flag Cutting Jackpot (and she won it!) riding her Mom’s mare against her older peers. In 2021 she returned to the MQHA Ranch Horse Classic Show Pen and won the Open Youth High Point Award on a leased gelding from her coach/trainer. This meant she had to ride and place in reining, ranch riding, ranch trail, confirmation, cutting and/or working cow horse or boxing. A major accomplishment for a then nine year old at her first show back after Covid!
Berlin has now gone on to purchase her own mare and is actively taking cutting/ranch/working cow horse lessons and she is also taking English riding lessons as a means to improve her overall riding skills.
MQHA show manager Larry Clifford says “Her bubbly outgoing personality is contagious and she is able and willing to speak and engage with all ages from her peers to senior riders. She is enthusiastic, wanting to learn and passionate about the horse.” Larry went on to tell us that he “looks forward to seeing her grow and compete in the horse world as she will become a major youth player in the show pen.”
When not in the saddle Oltean is actively involved in youth hockey and other sports in her city and at school.
