Mary Burke and her husband, Rich, own Burkeridge Farm in Ellensberg, Washington, where Mary is available for lessons and clinics.
Mary rode hunters as a junior, before moving up to jumpers. She was the first Junior rider from the Northwest to win the Yakima Futurity with her Thoroughbred. “The professionals usually win that,” Mary noted.
“I began riding dressage when I was 17 to 19, to improve my hunters and jumpers. It became my new passion.” She rode with Linda Zang on the East Coast for two years, where she bought a Third Level dressage horse. The pair competed to Prix St. Georges, earning their FEI Bronze Medal.
When she returned to Washington state she met her husband, Richard Burke, at Cedar Downs Equestrian Center. (The Burke family owned the facility.) Mary then took 18 years off of riding to raise their son and earn a degree in Physical Therapy.
Six years ago she returned to riding and bought Esprit-De-Corps (Tucker). “It’s a small world,” Mary said. “When I taught dressage, Amy Tryon was one of my Pony Club students.” When Mary became interested in eventing, Amy was the one to help her “figure out cross-country.”
“When Amy is traveling, Lexi Lind steps in. Both help me with stadium and cross-country. Their support is awesome.”
Indeed, Mary thanks all of her supporters along the way. Eventing is a tremendously difficult and expensive sport—the support of fans and enthusiasts is essential to help keep Area VII riders in the limelight.
Mary Burke can be reached at: mburke@fairpoint.net