Team 81 - Murphy and the Spots *

My name us Lorie McCrone and I live in Port Crane, NY along with my husband  Joe, my horse Murphy and my 2 Dalmatians, Kellie and Dooley. I have ridden all my life and spent every summer vacation at my grandparent’s farm riding their draft horses bareback.


In 2000 I started going to a local stable and had the opportunity to ride many different horses over the course of the first year.  One of them was Murphy, who was a 5 year old gelding, 16.2 h Standard-bred/Quarter Horse cross. His owner had purchased him to compete in dressage events and spent big bucks to have him educated at a prestigious east coast stable. The day he returned his owner was eager to see his new moves and everyone was watching as she saddled him. What happened next took everyone by surprise. Murphy reached his head over the cross tie, grabbed his owner's skin with his teeth and pulled the flesh off her arm from the wrist to her elbow. That was the last time she touched Murphy.


The owner immediately put him up for sale and fully disclosed the reason he was available. Fourteen months went by and although she kept dropping the price no one wanted to take a chance.  I rode Murphy about once a week and never had a problem with him, but I did not want the cost and responsibility of owning my own horse. Then one day in June I was told it was Murphy's "last day".   He was being shipped to Alpo for dog food.  I called the owner to ask how much Alpo was paying for him and she said about 40 cents a pound ($500). I gave her the cash and the rest, as they say, is history.  And Murphy has never bitten me or anyone other than his first owner. Go figure. 


The year after I bought Murphy, I built a barn in my backyard, fenced in so me acres, and ride the hills with him almost everyday. My Dals and I have logged thousands of miles and experienced many adventures.
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2013 / 1238.61 Miles / 7th Place