Jessica Burke Announced as First Speaker for Equitas International Women’s Day Event
Equitas is thrilled to announce Jessica Burke as the first featured speaker for our International Women’s Day online event, centered around the theme #AccelerateAction. Jessica was an incredible presence at last year’s event, and we are delighted to welcome her back to share her experiences, insights, and expertise with our global community once again.
Jessica, a highly accomplished Irish showjumper from Galway, has been a prominent figure in the equestrian world for many years. Her journey began with an impressive pony career, where she represented Ireland at the European Championships for four consecutive years, securing two medals. Despite taking a break from professional riding to pursue a career in education—spending six years teaching mathematics at Calasanctius College, Oranmore—her passion for showjumping never wavered. In 2019, Jessica took a leap of faith, putting her teaching career on hold to move to the UK and commit to showjumping full-time. Since then, she has firmly established herself among the sport’s elite, proving that ambition and dedication can drive remarkable success.
Jessica’s career is not only defined by her competitive success but also by the unwavering support system around her. She frequently acknowledges the role of her grooms, home team, and owner Louisa Church of Arion Stud, whose dedication has been integral to her accomplishments. Additionally, Jessica is proudly supported by Renaissance Saddles, Freejump, Make Be, Tucci, GAIN, and Equine Products Ireland, partnerships that reinforce the value of sponsorship and collaboration in high-performance equestrian sport.
Beyond the competition arena, Jessica is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in the equestrian community. She actively supports initiatives such as the HAY - How Are Ya? campaign, promoting open conversations about mental well-being among riders. Her willingness to engage in honest discussions about the challenges faced in the sport made a profound impact at last year’s Equitas event. Attendees were inspired by her transparency, her advice on overcoming adversity, and her ability to balance high-performance sport with personal well-being.
Jessica also values the importance of competing in Ireland, regularly highlighting the high-quality facilities and the significance of international shows as stepping stones for young riders. She believes these competitions are essential for growth, offering invaluable experience to both seasoned competitors and rising talent alike.
At Equitas, we are committed to empowering women in the equine industry and beyond, providing a platform for open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective action. Jessica’s story embodies the spirit of perseverance, adaptability, and ambition, making her an ideal speaker to kick off this year’s International Women’s Day event.
Jessica is just the first of several incredible speakers who will be joining us this year. Stay tuned as we announce more inspiring guests in the coming days and weeks!
This event is a moment for all women to come together, to celebrate our achievements, and to drive forward real change in the equestrian world. We encourage every woman—no matter your background, discipline, or experience—to be there with us on the night. Your voice matters, your presence is important, and together, we can make a difference. Let's #AccelerateAction together.
Register for this FREE event below!
Register here!
