Katie Maxwell's Legacy

RDEC's program was first established by lifelong hunter/jumper rider and trainer, Katie Maxwell. Katie moved her training program, Sovan Hill, within the gates of Rose Dhu in 2010 and spent the remainder of her life cultivating the Rose Dhu family and the training program. Katie brought over 40 years of horse experience to the table and is the reason the RDEC team and environment is thriving today.

Katie had extensive teaching experience including starting kids and taking them all the way through hunter finals, equitation finals and Young Riders. Katie's students are recognized by USEF for their excellence as they move up the pipeline. She also coached the Clemson Equestrian Team for 6 years with many top ten finishes in the IHSA Nationals including an Open Equitation Over Fences National Champion. Katie was the chef d'equipe of the Zone 4 National Championship Pony Jumper Team for 6 years including 3 Gold, a Silver and a Bronze Medal.

Katie always hosted a horse-first mindset, and never said "no" when asked to lend a helping hand to a horse, rider, or fellow trainer. Each of us at RDEC are blessed to have worked under and learned from Katie. She left a legacy that, one day, we all hope to live up too.