Ivy Gate Farm
28411 San Juan CreekRd.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
949.443.1903
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Our Trainers

Ivy Gate Farm has an outstanding team of trainers who guide the development of our riders and horses.

Personalized training programs are developed for each horse and rider to ensure that every Ivy Gate student may reach his/her personal riding goals - whether competing on the A show circuit or local and regional competitions.

Mary Morrison
(Owner/Head Trainer)
Mary brings over 30 years of training experience to Ivy Gate's intermediate and advanced riders. Although she has worked and ridden with many of the country's top professionals, by far the most influential person in Mary's life was her mentor, Victor Hugo-Vidal, with whom she studied and taught for the last 10 years of his life. "Victor always referred to Ivy Gate as his home barn," says Mary. "And even though he is no longer here with us, his love for the horses and boundless enthusiasm is still felt by the many riders who worked with him at Ivy Gate." Mary gained international attention in 2005 when the French Federation (the equivalent of the U.S. Equestrian Organization) hired her to teach hunter-style clinics in France, where they have just recently begun to promote the hunter-style riding disciplines.

Megan Murphy
(Ass't. Trainer/Barn Manager)
Megan Murphy is a life time “Ivy Gater”.  She began riding with Mary when she was just 7 years old.  She had a very successful junior career with Ivy Gate, competing in both the hunter, equitation and medal divisions. 

Megan was particularly gifted in the medals qualifying and competeing in all the 3’6” medal finals for our region.  Even getting her degree in sociology from UCSB didn’t keep Megan from Ivy Gate.  She continued to ride and compete with us during holidays and summers.  Luckily for us, Megan graduated from UCSB a year early and came to work as our assistant trainer.  She has taken on all responsibilities from traveling to Europe to find sale horses, to teaching, to showing.  We are incredibly thankful to have Megan as part of the Ivy Gate Team.

Cristin Stewart
(Ass't. Trainer/Administrator)
An Ivy Gate veteran trainer of10 years, Cristin grew up riding the hunters & jumpers in Northern Cal. After graduating from UC Davis with a bachelor of science degree in Animnal Science, Cristin spent some time as the equestrian instructor for Club Med in the Caribbean & Mexico. Part-time since becoming a mom to Charlie, Molly, and Johnny, we are happy to have Cristin with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Florence Phillips
(Director/Riding School)
The Ivy Gate Riding School is usually the point of entry for new students. Our lesson horses have good dispositions, are experienced & predictable - perfect for beginners or those "rusty stirrup" types returning to the sport after a layoff or looking to improve their skills. In addition to mastering the walk, trot and canter, beginning riders will learn basic horsemanship, including handling the horse on the ground, proper equipment, , tacking, mounting, & the fundamentals of control while in the saddle.

Specializing in Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation,
& Sales

Mary has built a solid reputation throughout the U.S. as one of the premier importers of Europen Hunter/Jumper prospects. Visit our Sale Barn and view our Success Stories page!

Join Mary on a
Buying Trip!

Many clients choose to accompany Mary on a buying trip to Europe to find that special horse. Find out more about this program!

Sales |Training | Lessons | Contact