Who we are...
Amethyst Acres
Equine Center, Inc. opened in October of 2000 and is owner operated by a husband and wife team with over
25 years experience in the horse industry and a tremendous
love and respect for horses.
Mark and Deb Burke are dedicated to providing a flexible,
professional, customer oriented environment, focused on helping clients achieve their
breeding or training goals, or just having fun with their horse.
Mark Burke is
responsible for all aspects of the breeding operation, as well as health care, foaling,
training, showing and general horse management. Mark is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing
in Animal Science. He has worked with horses for over 20 years at such well known
farms as Glorieta Ranch, Colonial Wood Arabians, Deerhaven Farm and Arabians, Ltd.
For the last 15 years, Mark has specialized in equine reproduction and is well respected in the industry for
his success using artificial insemination methods and his patience working with young stallions. In addition,
Mark has foaled over 600 mares, has trained and shown halter horses professionally, and has worked as a
consultant to Saddlebred, Paint and Quarterhorse owners. He also teaches Equine Reproduction at the University level.
Deb Burke takes care
of the business side of Amethyst Acres and assists Mark with the breeding,
health care and general horse management. Deb is a graduate of Old Dominion
University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Masters of Humanities.
She has over 20 years experience in the corporate world, helping customers achieve their
business objectives, but her first love has always been working with horses.
She has been a horse owner the last 20 years and has shown amateur in halter and
performance classes.
Two other people that play a vital role in the success of Amethyst Acres are Brenda Hodges (left) and Pat Woodward (right). Brenda assists Mark with the care and management of the horses and is in charge of the operation whenever Mark & Deb are away. Pat (Deb's sister) is the "master gardener" in charge of the landscaping and helps out with just about everything else, including coordinating and catering all our seminars. And of course, the official greeters...Dusty Blue Cat and Doc.
Amethyst Acres Equine Center's 12 stall
barn was built by MD Barns and includes two 12' x 16' foaling stalls, a breeding lab and raised breeding shed area with phantom and breeding stocks, an office and tack room and two wash racks. There are also two 4-stall barns, a 10-stall barn, and a 2-stall isolation barn, providing a total of 32 stalls.
We have gone to great lengths to build a safe and clean
environment for your horse. In fact, the owners live in an apartment beside the barn, providing
24-hour security for the facility.
ABOVE LEFT: View of (far left) 10 stall, 4-stalls attached to hay barn and (far right) porch over front entrance of main barn; SECOND: Hungry faces waiting for breakfast on the front side of 10 stall; THIRD: A common sight for visitors: Magic playing with his cone! RIGHT: Arabian Newcomers Seminar.
BELOW LEFT: Mark & Magic take Best in Show at the 2007 Bedford Wine Festival SECOND: Straight Egyptian Newcomers Seminar THIRD: Members of the Floyd County 4-H meet "Elmer" RIGHT: Mark gives a tour of the lab to the Rockbridge Hunt 4-H.
Click here for directions to our facility and local lodging options...
Click here to view pics of Mark & Deb's 10th Wedding Anniversary Party.
Click here to see Deb & Marks "adopted" kids...including the newest addition...goats, a mini & more kitties!!
Click here to view pics of Mark & Deb's new house.
In remembrance...a special tribute to Deb's brother.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge...Cassie & Count.
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