Meet The Team
Our team
Owner and Trainer
Joe McDonald
Joe has been around horses and livestock his entire life. Growing up in a “horse family”, he had the opportunity to use horses for working cattle and showing in 3-day eventing. In college, Joe showed in hunt seat equitation and played intercollegiate polo. After school, Joe moved to South Carolina where he began his horsemanship journey. Joe had the opportunity to ride with several talented horsemen who taught the philosophies of Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance. Today Joe trains horses for the public, teaches, and continues to work with livestock on his family’s ranch.
Trainer
Kayleigh Burke
Kayleigh has been involved with horses since a young age. She began her riding career in Fredericksburg, VA where she grew up. After high school she attended Virginia Tech where she continued to ride competitively on their collegiate program. Since college, Kayleigh has taught at 2 universities, ridden competitively on the local and “A” show circuit, and holds a USEF official license as an "r" judge in Hunters and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation. Her experience is not only limited to teaching and riding but also includes horse show management, course design, and judging. Kayleigh has a passion for young horses and teaching riders how to problem-solve.
Barn Manager and Assistant Trainer
Noelle Hasler
Noelle Hasler brings nearly two years of experience as assistant trainer and barn manager at McDonald Equine. Her lifelong passion for riding has evolved into a five-year professional career, marked by proficiency in jumping, dressage, roping, and cattle handling. Her comprehensive skill set spans various disciplines, with a current emphasis on early-stage training and behavioral rehabilitation through natural horsemanship methods. Prior to her role at McDonald Equine, Noelle dedicated three years to a prominent dressage facility, further honing her expertise in equine training and management.