Welcome to my Journey in the Horse Industry

Pic: Me & Moonlighting, aka Turtle

I rode for the first time at the age of seven. I’m now 56, and in those years between, horses have shaped nearly every part of my life. This blog is my way of sharing the experiences, lessons, and stories I’ve gathered along the way. My hope is that riders, young trainers, and anyone who loves this industry will find something here that resonates — or at least reminds them they’re not alone in the trials and triumphs that come with this life.

My love for horses started early. My sister and I rode together for years, supported wholeheartedly by our parents. We weren’t the richest, but we weren’t the poorest. What we did have was a strong work ethic. From a young age, Kieran and I learned to braid, groom, body clip, and drive trailers. We shared the passion and the responsibility.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from many trainers who helped shape the person and professional I became. My earliest memories go back to Barrington, Illinois, with my trainer Laura Stern. She helped me buy my first pony, Munchkin. My sister already had her horse, Arlo, and soon my dad bought a van and trailer so he could take us to shows. Those were some of the best days — messy braids, imperfect body clips, and all.

When my dad was transferred back to Northern California, we drove Munchkin and Arlo across the country. In California, I trained with several incredible horsemen and horsewomen: Gay Talmey, Heidi Cowley, Gry Gunderson (now McFarlane), Mark Mullen, and Victor Hugo Vidal. I can still hear their voices, even the ones who are no longer with us. Gry’s humor, Mark and Victor’s influence, the long show days, the barn setups — those memories are stitched into who I am.

After high school, I took a year off to become a professional. I worked briefly with Mike Nielsen, then with Mickey Hayden, before heading to Cal State Fullerton. I earned my business and marketing degree while working full-time. Eventually, I moved into corporate America with Enterprise Rent-A-Car — a job I loved and where I learned a tremendous amount about business. It’s also where I met my husband, Tim Burke. We married in Toronto, where he continued with Enterprise and I returned to the horse world.

When our marriage ended, I moved back to California and returned to Enterprise for several years. But the pull toward horses never went away. Eventually, I listened. Horses are my love, my passion, and my purpose. I love the animals, I love the business, and I love coaching.

This blog is an invitation into my world — the good, the hard, the funny, the formative. I believe that sharing experiences helps others feel connected, understood, and supported. I look forward to telling my story, piece by piece, and I’m grateful you’re here to read it.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.