At the horse shows Lindsey Gillette, of St Petersburg, Florida is a friendly competitor who loves her horses and her show family. But outside the pen she says she is best described as a “nerd.”

“I love science in all its elements,” she admits.

A middle school biology, algebra and chemistry teacher by profession, Gillette says she loves being inside the classroom.

“Sharing my passion for math, science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) integration with students is heaven for me,” she says.

A graduate of Florida State University with a degree in microbiology and a minor in chemistry, Gillette is continuing her education by working toward a masters degree in educational psychology through the Rutgers University online program.

“My goal is to get my PhD in cognitive sciences after finishing my masters and to make a big difference in America’s educational system,” she explains.

But the 23-year-old daughter of Ted and Raena Gillette is just as passionate about horses.

She gets that passion from her grandfather, who bred and raised Quarter Horses for racing.

“My mom grew up riding and showing,” Gillette says. “He (her grandfather) had us on horses as soon as we could walk and hasn’t been able to get us off!”

Gillette shows under the guidance of Lori and Andrew Augsburger, Pinetree Quarter Horses in Loxahatchee, Florida, and considers them family.

Lori has been the biggest influence in my horse show career,” Gillette says. “Not only has she treated me like her own daughter but she has believed in me and given me the opportunities of a lifetime.”

Gillette has had plenty of success in the show arena on such talented horses as Extend The Previews, tenth in the Non-Pro Showmanship at the 2013 NSBA World Show; Non-Pro Trail Champion at the 2013 Little Futurity; Congress Finalist in Amateur Showmanship at the 2012 Quarter Horse Congress. She also showed Coupe Dueville, Reserve Champion in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the 2013 TarHeel Triple Classic Circuit; 13th in the 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the 2012 Quarter Horse Congress; seventh in the 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the 2012 NSBA World Show; and 12th in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under saddle at the 2012 Quarter Horse Congress.

In 2014 Gillette leased Kat Tails R Hot, a 2012 bay mare by Hot N Blazing and out of Miss Kat Tails, from the Augsburgers and at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Show they won the 2-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle class, an achievement she considers the greatest accomplishment of her riding career.

“I entered with no expectations of getting my name called as I barely had an opportunity to ride her before entering the show pen,” Gillette says. “She gave me a great ride and showed like a veteran.”

These days, she says there are three horses she considers her show partners – One Hot Katwoman, Sweetwhenimcertain and Lethal Secret Weapon.

One Hot Katwoman is a 2011 bay mare by Hot N Blazing out of The Katwoman. She is showing her in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle events.

One Hot Katwoman is owned by the Augsburgers and Lori’s parents, James and Doris Collier.

“They have been gracious enough to allow me the oppotunity to show Daphne until their daughter (Cheyenne ‘Scooter’ Augsburger) is old enough to take the reins,” Gillette explains.

Affectionately known as Daphne, One Hot Katwoman is the last foal out of The Katwoman and a full sister to One Hot Kat. Gillette also showed One Hot Kat in past years but this year her sister, Vanessa, will show him in her final year of youth competition.

“Next year Vanessa will be an amateur,” she explains. “We will be sisters showing full siblings in the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. All bets are off!”

In addition to One Hot Katwoman, Gillette also owns Sweetwhenimcertain, a 2012 bay gelding by Certain Potential and out of Sweet On Willy.

“Last summer while we were looking for an all-around prospect to replace my mare (Extend The Previews), Liz Baker told us about a Certain Potential gelding that would be perfect for me,” Gillette explains. “We went to look at him and it was love at first sight. Baxter is the kindest, sweetest and most talented horse I have ever owned.”

Gillette says the plan is for Baxter to make his debut in the 3-Year-Old Trail Stakes at the NSBA World Show in 2015 with Andrew Augsburger.

“Andrew has done such an amazing job with him in the four months he has had him,” she says. “Hopefully I will be making my debut with Baxter in amateur events in 2016.”

While she is waiting for her turn with Baxter, Gillette will also show Lethal Secret Weapon in Amateur Trail this year. “Sam” is actually Vanessa’s show partner but she agreed to let her sister show him this year since Lindsey is still a novice competitor in that event.

“Sam is an interesting story,” Gillette says. “Andrew had Sam for a youth client 10 years ago. He was ninth with Sam in Junior Trail at the 2005 Quarter Horse Congress. Sam was sold in 2008 and he has spent the past six years being a pasture horse. Six weeks ago I received a call from a friend who said she had a Quarter Horse gelding that needed a home and some TLC. When I heard the name of the horse, I hooked up the trailer and picked Sam up within 48 hours.”

Gillette says he loves showing and just wants to continue to improve and to have fun.