Keeley Mircetic

 Keeley was born with a passion for horses. She started riding at age 7, when her mother, also an equestrian, decided she was old enough to reach the stirrups. It didn't take long for Keeley’s parents to realize that horses were her one true love, and that nothing would get in her away of achieving her dreams. When she was 14, she purchased her first horse, a young OTTB (off the track thoroughbred), Samson. He was a large, strong ex-racehorse with more energy and spirit than the customary "ponies" that teens usually start off with. Samson and Keeley created an immediate bond, and through her patience and determination, they grew together to become a force of nature in every show they entered. Eventually they found three-day eventing, and Samson’s high energy coupled with Keeley’s discipline were the perfect ingredients for success in the sport. 

Over the next few decades, Keeley and Samson pushed up the eventing levels. Samson gave her everything he had in all three of the events - dressage, cross country, and jumping. Their partnership grew and Keeley quickly found herself competing at the preliminary level. As Samson grew older, Keeley decided it was best to preserve his health and retire him from the eventing world. She turned her attention to classical dressage, and as she was finishing school to gain her doctorate in physical therapy, she also achieved USDF rider bronze, silver, and gold medals. She rode for many prestigious trainers and developed the dedication and discipline required for the sport that continued to make her a successful, sought after trainer and rider. 

Recently, Keeley was introduced to Working Equitation, a fairly new equestrian sport for the United States. It was originally developed in Spain and Portugal, and includes three events - dressage, ease of handling, and speed. Ease of handling includes multiple obstacles, such as a bridge, jump, and side pass rails. In 2020, The United States was accepted into the World Association of Working Equitation. In just a few short years, the sport has grown in the US, and when Keeley first watched a show, she was hooked. It's a perfect blend of the discipline required for dressage, and the fun and excitement of riding fast through and over obstacles. She is currently (2023) ranked the #1 rider/horse combo in Region 2, and 2nd in the nation in Level 4.