Larkin
Burdine

My name is Larkin Burdine, and I’m a 16-year-old sophomore from College Station, Texas. I attend A&M Consolidated High School, where I currently hold a 4.0 GPA, and I ride with Braedy Foster at Foster Performance Horses.

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I’ve been riding for six years and have completely immersed myself in the equestrian world. I began in ranch events, but everything changed when I fell in love with a horse that introduced me to reining — and I’ve been hooked ever since.

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I started my reining journey in 2021 and now compete on Thiago Sobral’s IEA team, where I qualified for Regionals in Varsity Intermediate Horsemanship and Reining. Through IEA, I’ve learned how to adapt quickly to a wide range of horses with different levels of training and experience, and how important it is to be correct and precise in every pattern.

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Recently, I got a six-year-old mare named Dunitlikeaduchess, and I’m excited to begin our career together. She hasn’t been shown yet and had been turned out in the pasture, but she has a strong reining foundation. We’re working hard to get her back in shape and ready for the pen — and I know this journey will make me an even stronger rider.

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There was a brief gap in my show record due to a previous lease ending, but during that time I stayed sharp by working for my trainer, catch-riding, and gaining hands-on experience. It pushed me to ride a variety of horses and taught me the value of long hours and dedication.

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My dream is to ride on a collegiate equestrian team and continue growing in this sport I love. The time I didn’t have a horse of my own only deepened my passion and drive to stay involved and keep learning. I’ve attended camps at Texas A&M and Auburn, which gave me a better understanding of the format and confirmed that I want to be part of a team.

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Outside the arena, I’m active in theater and love giving back. I volunteer at youth riding camps and help out around the barn — both experiences have helped me grow in leadership, mentorship, and responsibility. I’m interested in pursuing a degree in Business or Animal Science.

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