Jessica Burkhart
An author who captivated a generation of young readers with her Canterwood Crest series, creating a detailed world of competitive horseback riding.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American writer·Birthday: January 29·Millennials
Biography
Jessica Burkhart tapped into a specific and passionate niche of tween fiction, merging the world of competitive equestrian sports with the universal dramas of friendship and boarding school life. Launching the Canterwood Crest series in her early twenties, she built a sprawling universe that extended over dozens of books, following a cast of young riders navigating intense competition and complex social dynamics. Her work resonated because it took its subject matter seriously, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the pressures and joys of horse sports while delivering relatable coming-of-age stories. Burkhart's success demonstrated the power of specialized knowledge and passion in young adult literature; she didn't just write about horses, she wrote for the readers who lived for them. Her prolific output and dedicated fanbase cemented her as a defining voice in the genre for nearly a decade.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jessica was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jessica Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jessica's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Authored the bestselling Canterwood Crest series, which spans over 20 novels and several spin-off collections.
- Her books have been featured on the New York Times Best Seller list for children's series.
- Built a significant and engaged fanbase through early adoption of social media and direct reader interaction.
Did You Know?
She began writing the first Canterwood Crest book, 'Take the Reins', when she was just 19 years old.
She is an avid horse rider herself, which informed the detailed equestrian content in her books.
She has also written under her married name, Jessica Ashley.
“I write about girls and horses because that world is real and complex.”
