Learner Spotlight: Makayla Kurfess

iLEAD Learner Pursues Her Passion

The iLEAD equestrian team participated in the Saddleseat and Western School League (SWSL) Show on February 9 at the LA Equestrian Center. SWSL is associated with the United States Equestrian Federation, a nonprofit organization founded to promote knowledge of horsemanship and to provide competition opportunities for learners in grades 5-12. Junior iLEAD Online learner Makayla Kurfess seized that opportunity!

Makayla took home two first-place rankings she earned while riding Regency Pretender, an American Morgan. She also rode Bye-Bye Love, another American Morgan, and earned second place in Western Horsemanship and third place in Western Equitation. 

Makayla has been an iLEAD learner since 2011, when she began 3rd grade at iLEAD’s founding school, SCVi.  She started riding horses in 2013 and switched to iLEAD Online in the 8th grade so she could have more scheduling flexibility to pursue her passion for riding.

Next month, she will compete at the Carousel Charity Horse Show in Scottsdale, Arizona. Congratulations on your success, Makayla, and good luck in Scottsdale!

*If other iLEAD learners are interested in joining the team, it’s not too late. The next show is on April 19. The team is open to learners in the 5th grade through high school seniors. If your learner is interested in participating or you’d like more information, please contact Sonia Kurfess.