Ride with us
Located at Bridlewood Equestrian Center in Suffolk, VA, SunFire Equestrian offers fun, supportive horseback riding lessons for all ages and skill levels. Our experienced trainers teach balanced seat riding across all disciplines, with a focus on hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing.
Build confidence, improve your skills, and develop a strong partnership with your horse in a welcoming environment. No matter if you're a beginner or an advanced rider, we’re here to help you reach your goals!
Our Lesson Program
At SunFire Equestrian, we offer expert riding lessons in both English and Western disciplines, taught by instructors with decades of experience. We pride ourselves on flexibility, providing lessons seven days a week at times that fit your schedule. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced rider, our program ensures personalized instruction to help you reach your goals.
Who
we are
At SunFire Equestrian, our team of trainers are lifelong equestrians with a deep love and respect for horses—many have been passionate about riding since before they could walk or talk. With expertise across all disciplines, our trainers are committed to developing riders with a focus on balanced seat and equitation.
Meet the Team
-
Fay Strasel
Owner, Trainer, & Instructor
Fay’s love for horses began before she could walk or talk. She took her first ride at a Girl Scout camp in Suffolk (Camp Matoaka) and never looked back. At just 19 she was running her first barn and in 1998, she founded her first horse business, Sunny’s Corner.
Equitation is her favorite discipline to teach, but she has competed in nearly everything—from equitation and side saddle to barrel racing. Fay is also passionate about rescue and breeding, having delivered over 100 foals.
Fun fact: She bought her first pony, Sunny, at age 12 and worked at the barn to pay for board!
-
Dahlia Jensen
Owner, Trainer, & Instructor
Bio coming soon.
-
Clare Lynam
Instructor
Clare has been riding for 23 years and holds a BS in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech. While at school, she worked at the breeding barn, gaining hands-on experience in foaling, training, and caring for young horses.
With a background in multiple disciplines, her true passion is polocrosse.
Fun fact: Clare traveled to Germany, where she earned a bronze medal in international riding!
-
Tasha Meade
Instructor
Tasha has been riding for 40 years and has a passion for hunter and jumper equitation. She emphasizes a traditional balanced seat in her teaching, helping riders build a strong foundation.
Fun fact: Her granddaughter shares her love of riding!
-
Christa Strasel
Instructor & Trainer
Christa has been riding since birth—over 20 years! She grew up at Sunny’s Corner Farm in Middleburg, VA, and was cantering over jumps by age 3.
Her favorite disciplines are equitation and jumpers, and she has competed at the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International.
Fun fact: She loves reining and hopes to try cow cutting in the future!