Diana Burnett Equestrian Boarding Lessons Port Perry Durham Ontario

Biography

The Start

Born on July 3rd, 1981 Diana's interest in horses began at a very early age including her first competition in a horse show at the age of two and moving on to local schooling and fair ground shows at the age of six.

In a desire to challenge her abilities, Diana began taking lessons from former Canadian Olympic rider Kelly Plitz of Dreamcrest Equestrian Services and a career in Eventing was born. Diana describes the thrill of eventing:

"Eventing is a wonderful sport that tests the skills and tenacity of both horse and rider. This great challenge is one of the main reasons I have and always will pursue a career in Eventing. Eventing is like no other sport in that it involves a great bond between horse and rider."

Horses

Starting with homebred gelding Tyson, Diana won the Canadian Open in Feversham Ontario in 2002. Since Tyson, Diana has started and trained a number of aspiring young horses who are presently competing at varying levels from Pre-training to the Advanced level.

As a Young Rider, Diana was the highest placed Ontario Young Rider at the North American Yound Riders Championships in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. In the years of 2000, 2002 and 2003 Diana was selected to the Canadian National Eventing Team Long List of eventing talent.

In 2005 and 2006, Diana was named to the Canadian Eventing Team Talent Squad with Sagacious King. This talent squad is a system of identifying future members of the Canadian Team. In 2008, not only were Diana and Manny named as 2008 Olympic Team alternates, but Diana was also named to the Eventing Team Talent Squad with Donogue Del Boy and Sagacious King.

Diana has trained several high level event horses including her current CCI*** and Olympic alternate mount Manny. Manny is an 8 year old Thoroughbred-cross gelding owned by Nadia and John Lennox of Brooklin, Ontario. In the sport of three day eventing, the horse must be 8 years old to complete at this level. Diana is thrilled that Manny, in his first year of competition at the Three and Four Star level, has achieved this recognition. Manny is homebred, raised and trained by Diana making this partnership and accomplishment extra special. Diana looks forward with great anticipation to Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2009 and the World Equestrian Games in 2010.

Current Horses

Horses	Breed & Details	Height	Competition Level	Owner(s)
Sagacious King	1996 Thoroughbred Gelding, Bay	15.2hh	Advanced	Doris Bannon
Manny	2000 Thoroughbred Gelding, Bay	16.2hh	Advanced	John and Nadia Lennox
Donogue Del Boy	1999 Irish Sport Horse Gelding, Bay	16.3hh	Intermediate	Diana Burnett
Wild T'Mater	2001 Thoroughbred Gelding, Bay	16.3hh	Preliminary	Diana Burnett & Don J. Good
Shigatzi	2003 Thoroughbred Gelding, Bay	16.1hh	Preliminary	Valerie Eden
Top Gun	2003 Thoroughbred Gelding, Bay	15.3hh	Preliminary	Don J. Good

Past Achievements

• Bachelor of Science Degree from Trent University in 2003 (major in Biology)
• Managing and Operating Donogue Farm since 1999
• Training and riding horses for future competition and for clients
• Teaching riding lessons and coaching students at varying levels at Donogue Farm and sharing her knowledge and passion with young riders
• Exercising Thoroughbred race horses

Goals and What's Next

Academic Goals

Diana also continues to further her knowledge of different equine therapies with the hopes of continuing her academic training in biology and pursuing a degree from a veterinary school.

Thanks to Great Coaching

David O'Connor - Canadian Eventing Team International Technical Advisor

• Olympic Individual Gold Medalist and team Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist
• Winner of Badminton Horse Trials
• President of US Equestrian Federation and professional in the horse industry

"As the head clinician with the Canadian Event Team I have coached Diana on many occasions, including with the Canadian team training sessions. She not only possesses the skills necessary, but also often goes above and beyond the standard, which is required to reach the top competitive levels."

James Cunningham Wofford - Fox Covert

• Olympic Silver and Bronze Medalist
• Two Wins at Kentucky Rolex
• Coach for both U.S. and Canadian Olympic Teams

"Diana is one of the most talented riders of her generation. More importantly, she has the work ethic to get to the top levels, the determination to stay there, and the mental and physical courage to be successful."

Ian Roberts & Kelly Plitz - Dreamcrest

• Olympians
• Ian Roberts - Former Ontario Young Riders Coach
• Both operate and coach at Dreamcrest

"Diana has developed the skills, perseverance and patience that will allow her to make the next step to the National Team ... It is important that riders of Diana's ability and dedication be supported to allow them to compete for Canada."