"In the Spotlight!" - Featuring Kayleigh Burke!

I am so pleased to present Kayleigh Burke (and LOTS of friends)as our first "In the Spotlight" at "It's Time to Ride!". This is such a great place to move these features and I am especially proud to feature Kayleigh first.

Now, from Kayleigh:

"I’m Kayleigh Burke. My bio a little long because I ride/own four horses. I have had a few problems with my knee. I have an overuse kind of injury; basically my ligaments and tendons can’t hold my knee in place, which is why I wear my knee brace. Also last summer I missed house mountain because I took Lucy on a trail ride with Hazelwild in Lake Anna and she tripped on a tree root or something and I was told she flipped over. Unfortunately I can’t tell you exactly what happened because I lost consciousness and can’t remember what happened before or after. So this past year has been quite an experience. I don't know what I would do without Teresa Seay my trainer. She took care of me after my concussion and still takes care of me (and the only head problem I have is being clumsy =]) (note from Susan…don’t feel badly Kayleigh…I think we’re all a little clumsy!)She helps us keep everything in order with our horses because my mother and I can’t because of our health issues. Teresa also takes me to my "A" shows!

App-solutely ("Lucy")- is a 9-year-old App/TB, and was my first show horse. When I showed her we were Top Horse of 2006. Last year, Rebecca"Becca" Graham leased her and they ended the year 1st in Student Eq. and placed 8th in V.H.S.A. Finals. Currently Meagan Meyers rides her in the Student Eq. and Low hunter. They are doing amazing!

Keep A Secret ("Mersea" shown with Kayleigh left) is 14 and is a Dartmor/cross. He can be a handful but he is my first "A" show pony. The first year I had him I barely ever got to ride him. Then Brittany Spivey leased him out for a year. They did great. Last year I rode him again and we did an amazing job. We ended BHSA Reserve Champion of Pony Hunter and 4th VHSA. Also in Finals we got a Reserve Champion and won the stakes class! We placed in every class. Currently Alex Meyers in showing him in the Student Eq.

I don't know what I would do without the Meyers. I would be so overwhelmed with all the horses!


Little Misty Tears ("Misty") my first show pony. She is 13-years-old (14 in April) American Quarter Horse. When I bought her we had to teach her how to jump lead changes almost everything. Now she is in the Hazelwild Therapeutic and Community Riding lessons teaching kids how to ride. Also my sister, Anna, rides her in the Short Stirrup and Pleasure Pony (Anna, shown here at left)


Shirley You Jest ("Shirley") and is the newest member of my equine family. I have had her just over a year. She is my "A" show horse. We ended last year with Reserve Champion working hunter and 2nd in children's equitation, 1st children's hunter and 3rd low hunter. Then in VHSA finals she was amazing!! we got a 3rd in the hack. We won the Stakes class.-in the children's hunter. We got two 8th places and a 6th in the working hunter. She was great!

Basically they are my life."