Bio.....
Ashley Blakely Lyon, Trainer
I developed a passion for horses while living on our family farm located in Fauquier County, Virginia. My father, Bob Blakely, retired from the military after 24 years, and is now a Vice President of ITT Corporation. My mother, Patti Blakely, is a math teacher at Midland Christian Academy. My older brother, Chris (team roper), served 26 months (Infantry) in Iraq and Afghanistan and will begin Army Special Forces (Green Beret) training October 2008. My younger brother, Justin (an accomplished barrel racer) is currently attending Radford University in Virginia, pursuing a business degree. My entire family has a love for horses.
During high school I was a member of Summerduck Run Farm Riding Team (Hunter/Jumper) located in Culpeper, VA. Our team participated in inter school riding competitions across the state. My instructor, Rosemary Thomas, a very accomplished and regionally renowned trainer, allowed me to assist with equine summer camps and study her training methodology. I competed in 4-H, hunter jumper disciplines, pony racing, point to point races, and was a member of the Warrenton Fox Hunt. I graduated from Liberty High School, Bealeton, VA in 2001.
After high school I attended The University of West Alabama. I was a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, Professional Cowboys Association, Tri-State Rodeo Association, and National Barrel Horse Association. UWA Woman’s Team was the NIRA 2005-2006 Ozark Regional Champions. I graduated from UWA in December of 2006, with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. I currently teach at Madison Middle School, Madison, MS.
I married Scott Lyon (a Mississippi native), in July of 2006. He is an accomplished horse trainer and team roper. He introduced me to the sport of Team Roping and it has become my new found, although fledgling, equine passion. I have attended numerous training clinics including Chris Cox Horsemanship, Martha Josey Barrel Racing (6), and Team Roping at National Ropers Supply, Decatur, TX.
In the summer of 2008, I was certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy (ESMT) from Equissage, Inc., Round Hill, Virginia.
Scott and I live on our Farmhaven farm and we continue to ride, rope, and train horses.