Jennifer Burk - Head Trainer/Owner
Jennifer Burk began her riding career while in preschool at the Willow Bend Polo Club in Dallas. After her family moved to Fort Worth, her mother was one of the founding members of the Fort Worth Pony Club (now Thundering Hooves in Weatherford.) Pony Club kept her occupied in her early years. Eventing became a passion when began riding with Laura Miller. Jennifer was with Laura until seventh grade and then Evented with Andie Witchen through high school.
In 1995, Jennifer earned her BS in Equestrian Science from Lake Erie College where she competed through third level dressage and evented through preliminary level. Jennifer has experience in training and showing fox hunters, as well as hunters and jumpers. Jennifer's main focus is eventing and dressage.
After college, Jennifer worked as a trainer at barns in Ohio, Colorado, and locally before branching out on her own to form Deer Creek Stables. Jennifer’s clients are consistently impressed with her unique way of teaching that inspires confidence and competence in her riders. Jennifer utilizes the principals of Classic Dressage to start or retrain horses, which leads to a confident and successful mount. Jennifer is also an ICP Level 1T certified instructor through the United States Eventing Association (USEA).
Currently, Jennifer rides with Elizabeth Madlener, a USEF "S" judge since 1980 and USDF "L" faculty member, who she brings into the barn four times a year and Captain Mark Phillips, who among many honors, serves as Chef d'Equipe of the United States Eventing Team. She has also ridden with Don Sachey and participated in clinics with Jimmy Wofford, Brad Cutshall and Steffan Peters.
In 1995, Jennifer earned her BS in Equestrian Science from Lake Erie College where she competed through third level dressage and evented through preliminary level. Jennifer has experience in training and showing fox hunters, as well as hunters and jumpers. Jennifer's main focus is eventing and dressage.
After college, Jennifer worked as a trainer at barns in Ohio, Colorado, and locally before branching out on her own to form Deer Creek Stables. Jennifer’s clients are consistently impressed with her unique way of teaching that inspires confidence and competence in her riders. Jennifer utilizes the principals of Classic Dressage to start or retrain horses, which leads to a confident and successful mount. Jennifer is also an ICP Level 1T certified instructor through the United States Eventing Association (USEA).
Currently, Jennifer rides with Elizabeth Madlener, a USEF "S" judge since 1980 and USDF "L" faculty member, who she brings into the barn four times a year and Captain Mark Phillips, who among many honors, serves as Chef d'Equipe of the United States Eventing Team. She has also ridden with Don Sachey and participated in clinics with Jimmy Wofford, Brad Cutshall and Steffan Peters.
Rachel Herod - Assistant Trainer
Rachel began riding as an eight year old with Jennifer twenty years ago. Rachel credits Jennifer with cultivating her love for Eventing. She rode briefly under Steve McGreggor of Castle Rock in Ft. Worth, TX before following Jennifer to Deer Creek, where she has been since it opened in 2004.
Rachel enjoys showing across disciplines including dressage, jumpers, and eventing. She has ridden in clinics with USET member Don Sachey and Grand Prix level trainer, USEF "S" and USDF "L" judge Elizabeth Madlener. Rachel is also pursuing her certification with the Instructor Certification Program and has participated in clinics with Mary D'Arcy (Level IV ICP Instructor).
Currently, she balances working as a Senior Lecturer at UT Arlington and actively playing a part in the Deer Creek community. Rachel is an instructor, trainer, competitor and book keeper for DCS.
Rachel enjoys showing across disciplines including dressage, jumpers, and eventing. She has ridden in clinics with USET member Don Sachey and Grand Prix level trainer, USEF "S" and USDF "L" judge Elizabeth Madlener. Rachel is also pursuing her certification with the Instructor Certification Program and has participated in clinics with Mary D'Arcy (Level IV ICP Instructor).
Currently, she balances working as a Senior Lecturer at UT Arlington and actively playing a part in the Deer Creek community. Rachel is an instructor, trainer, competitor and book keeper for DCS.
Angie Heflin - Assistant Trainer-Dressage/Webmaster
Angie evented for a bit but found her true love in dressage. She has ridden with Brad Cutshall, an FEI rider, trainer, and clinician, Don Sachey, Level IV Certified Instructor, USEA and former member of USET and r with Elizabeth Madlener, a USEF "S" and USDF "L" judge.
Angie also works with many green horses teaching the early skills such as lounging, ground manners, and basic dressage through Second Level.
In addition to her assistant trainer responsibilities, Angie also maintains the Deer Creek website and administrates company email. Angie is married with three children and two grand children. In the world outside of Deer Creek Stables she works as a dental hygienist.