Suzanne Martin Lacy
Owner/Instructor
President of Equine Management Training Center
Suzanne is a teacher by education and equestrian through heartfelt passion. She started her career with horses at a very early age. Suzanne shares her knowledge of horses with students of all ages through lessons, eventing, coaching, and caring for animals.
Suzanne's goal is to provide a place where all from 8 years to 85 plus can come and learn to ride. Sandy River, now in the 25th year of operation, has 230 acres and 37 horses with 13 school horses that are capable of helping our students compete from competitively through training level. "It is so important to me that everyone who wants to ride is given this opportunity to learn to ride and learn the responsibility of caring for a horse and appreciate what a horse can do for their confidence. Someone has to start our future eventers." Suzanne states enthusiastically!
Suzanne is the owner of Sandy River Equestrian Center and has trained with Jim Wofford, Karen O'Connor, Betsy Steiner, Peter Grey, and Virginia Wiseman. Suzanne is an owner for Will Coleman and owns part of Tight Lines, Dondante, Off the Record, and TKS Cooley. Suzanne also owns a portion of Philip Dutton’s Z.
Suzanne lives on the property with her husband Rusty Lacy, who is in charge of farm maintenance.
Samantha Burton Henley
Facility Manager/Instructor/Trainer
Program Administrator for Equine Management Training Center
Samantha Burton Henley is the Head Trainer and Facility Manager at Sandy River Equestrian Center owned by Suzanne Martin Lacy in Axton, Virginia. Sam came to Sandy River Equestrian Center in 2004 from the O'Connor Event Team, where she was the Competition Manager for the O'Connors and David O'Connor's Head Groom. In that capacity, she has traveled all over the world caring for 4-Star and Olympic level horses.
In addition to the experience with the O'Connors, Sam has been a Head Groom for the 2004-2006 Area II NAYRC Teams and the Head Groom for the 2006 Canadian WEG Team. At Sandy River, Sam is an instructor and trainer for many up and coming young horses, young riders and their horses. Sam also works with adults. She assists Suzanne in creating a world class training center at SREC which hosts YRAP camps, pony club camps, and and various event camps. Sam is the Program Administrator for the Equine Management Training Center, a professional groom training program. Sam resides at Sandy River with her daughters, Danni and Riley.
Kristie Compton
Barn Manager
Kristie has been the barn manager of SREC for seven years. She manages not only our revolving door of 40+ horses, she manages the staff and working students as well. She has always had a soft spot for the OTTB’s and has enjoyed bringing along “Outlawed”, A nine-year-old OTTB. “Wyatt” Has been with us for two years and has definitely found his person in Kristie. She has taken a horse that everyone had given up on and turned him into her horse of a lifetime. She’s enjoying every moment competing him and is excited for the season. Kristie lives on the farm with her husband John and her two kids Mikayla and Braydenn and her three dogs Sarge, Conrad, and Kevin. When she is not working on the farm she is busy running MiKayla to volleyball and chasing Braydenn on his dirtbike
Madeline France
Assistant Barn Manager
Madeline has been riding horses since the age of eight and grew up riding at Sandy River. She especially enjoys show jumping and working with young, green horses, helping them to reach their potential. Madeline recently graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Social Sciences, and she's thrilled to be pursuing her childhood dream of working with horses full time.
When she's not at the barn, Madeline enjoys spending time with her cat, Eris, and three kittens that she and her roomate rescued and raised after finding them orphaned as newborns on the property.
Kailyn Storer
Staff
Kailyn has been riding since she was 14 and has been immersed in barn life ever since. She has worked year-round caring for horses and spent her summers teaching camps and beginner lessons, where she discovered a love for helping kids build confidence and develop a strong foundation in riding and horsemanship. Kailyn graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and made the move all the way from Iowa to continue pursuing her passion for horses. She loves being part of the barn community and is always excited to help both horses and kids thrive.
Danni Henley
Working student
Danni is 15 years old and has been around horses since birth. She has been coming to Sandy River with her mother Sam from the time that she was able to walk. Danni has an off-track thoroughbred named Kit Kat who she loves to explore the extensive trails around the property with.
Riley Henley
Ashby Starnes
Ashby is 14 years old and has been riding with Sandy River for nine years. She recently came to own her first horse, a six year old named Gunner, and has done a beautiful job bringing him along. Ashby's favorite thing to do with Gunner is jump everything they can.
Baylee Wilkersin
Baylee is our newest working student and has done an amazing job learning the day-to-day of horse care. Her favorite horse on the farm is Khalil, one of our prized school horses. Her favorite thing to do is hang out with all the horses and take silly selfies with them.
