by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — Lori Murphy arrived Wednesday (May 13) at the U.S. Trotting Association’s 17th annual Driving School with the goal of passing the written tests for her training and driving licenses at the conclusion of the four-day program.

Lori Murphy is among 24 participants at the USTA Driving School.

Once she acquires those licenses, her goal becomes even more intense. She hopes to develop another Horse of the Year contender for her friend and mentor Forrest Bartlett.

Bartlett owned 1986 Horse of the Year Award winner Forrest Skipper. Murphy, a former insurance broker who now owns and operates an equestrian center in Elizabeth City, N.C., began assisting at Bartlett’s farm in nearby Shiloh approximately six years ago.

“We bumped into each other one day and started talking about horses and we’ve been good friends ever since,” Murphy said. “He’s been my coach. He said it was time for me to get my licenses. He had another trainer working for him and they didn’t want to do it any longer. I said that I want to do it. I find it exciting.

“I would love to see Mr. Bartlett get another Horse of the Year one more time. That would be awesome. That is my goal.”

Murphy is among 24 participants — representing 12 states plus the Canadian province of Quebec — attending the USTA Driving School. The school is conducted at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, Goshen Historic Track, and the Mark Ford Training Center.

On the opening day of the program, held at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, participants gained insight into the sport from trainers Mark Ford, Paul Kelley and Ray Schnittker as well as drivers Jason Bartlett, Tyler Buter and Jeff Gregory.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

Jimmy Takter, in front of a portrait of his two-time Horse of the Year Moni Maker, was the keynote speaker.

Following dinner, trainer Jimmy Takter was the event’s keynote speaker. He discussed his roots in the sport, training philosophies, and reflected upon his memorable 2014 campaign, which included driving Trixton to victory in the Hambletonian Stakes and seeing Shake It Cerry named Trotter of the Year.

Murphy hopes to create memorable moments of her own in the future. She has already helped get a handful of horses to the races, including Bartlett’s 3-year-old filly pacer Barefoot Julie, who is the 7-5 morning line favorite for trainer-driver George Dennis in a conditioned race at Harrington on Thursday night.

“I’m so proud of her,” said Murphy, who grew up around horses and had previous experience working with Thoroughbreds. “She’s come a long way in the last few months. She was a little bit of a hothead and she’s calming down nicely now and getting her act together.”

Murphy, who has been active in working with the Special Olympics and local school children with special needs through equestrian programs, added that “dedication to the horses is something I’ve always had.”

“I don’t ever stop,” she said. “I work all the time. I’m out there from sunup to sundown.”

Murphy’s zestful approach is fueled in part by the fact she nearly lost her life in a motorcycle mishap in 2007.

“That’s why I have no fear,” she said with a grin. “You only live once.”