IHSA Spotlight Riders
May 2013
Rider: Natalie Larson
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
School: Saint Vincent College
Zone/Region: Zone 6, Region 5
Major: Educational Psychology
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Novice Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat & Over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: IHSA has challenged me to become an overall better rider and I love being able to compete on a team.
April 2013
Rider: Laura Thomas
Hometown: Irvine, California
School: Cal Poly Pomona University
Zone/Region: Zone 8, Region 2
Major: Agribusiness
Graduating: Winter 2014
IHSA Level: Open Western
Favorite thing about IHSA: The people I've met and the friendships I've made, both on my team and with those who I've had the pleasure of competing against!
March 2013
Rider: Andrea Balzano
Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana
School: Indiana University
Zone/Region: Zone 7, Region 1
Major: Journalism
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Open Western
Favorite thing about IHSA: IHSA shows are always a challenge since we aren't familiar with the horses before we ride. It's always fun to see how well I can do on a horse that isn't mine. When I began IHSA, I was a novice, and over the past two and a half years, I've finally made it to the Open division. It's great to work towards a goal like that.
February 2013
Rider: Jordan Laux
Hometown: Cazenovia, New York
School: SUNY Geneseo
Zone/Region: Zone 2, Region 2
Major: Anthropology
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Beginner Walk-Trot Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: That I could start out from the very beginning and in less than two years make it to Zones!
January 2013
Rider: Meagan Smith
Hometown: Dexter, Missouri
School: Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau, MO
Zone/Region: Zone 7, Region 5
Major: English
Graduating: NEVER :) Haha just kidding, 2014
IHSA Level: Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: All the memories I have made, friendships I have formed, and wonderful horses I have had the opportunity to ride! Everything about the IHSA has made me a better person all around, and I appreciate that so much.
November 2012
Rider: Samantha Kramer
Hometown: Corcoran, Minnesota
School: University of Minnesota Crookston - Crookston, Minnesota
Zone/Region: Zone 7, Region 3
Major: Animal Science and Equine Science Pre-Vet
Graduating: 2015
IHSA Level: Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: My favorite thing about IHSA is that you get to ride a lot of different horses, and the fact that you have to get on a horse you’ve never ridden and ride your best makes a really good rider, one that can handle any situation thrown at them and still do well.
August 2012
Rider: Kaitlin
Mielnicki
Hometown: Lebanon, Ohio
School: Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green, Ohio
Zone/Region: Zone 6, Region 1
Major: Pre-Veterinary Medicine (Biology)
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: I had no show experience prior to IHSA, but the association is accessible to riders of all levels, so it was so simple to get started! After four years with my incredible coach & teammates, I have been inspired to continue riding and showing after graduation.
July 2012
Rider: Katie LeSuer
Hometown: Edinboro, Pennsylvania
School: Alfred University - Alfred, New York
Zone/Region: Zone 2, Region 1
Major: Environmental Studies
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat, Intermediate Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: I am able to compete on a team and continue to develop my riding skills.
May 2012
Rider: Abbie Zanone
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
School: Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Zone/Region: Zone 8, Region 4
Major: Health Promotion and Health Behavior
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat, Open Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: Getting the chance to ride so many incredible horses and having the opportunity to travel and meet trainers and horse owners and, of course, making new friends with people who are just as crazy about horses as you are.
April 2012
Rider: Samantha Levi
Hometown: Queens, NY
School: St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud, Minnesota
Zone/Region: Zone 7, Region 3
Major: Elementary Education
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Intermediate Equitation on the Flat, Novice Equitation over Fences, Novice Western Horsemanship
Favorite thing about IHSA: Getting to ride all different horses and the friends I have made.
February 2012
Rider: Cole Newman
Hometown: Junction City, OR
School: Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Zone/Region: Zone 8, Region 4
Major: Arts with Graphic Design emphasis
Graduating: 2015
IHSA Level: Advanced Western Horsemanship and Novice Equitation on the Flat
Favorite thing about IHSA: The Friends. We always have fun traveling on the long van rides and helping each other out at the shows. It just wouldn't be the same without all the friends you make!!
January 2012
Rider: Natalie Baker
Hometown: Manchaca, TX
School: West Texas A&M University - Canyon, Texas
Zone/Region: Zone 7, Region 2
Major: Equine Business Industry
Graduating: May 2011
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat and Fences and Novice Western Horsemanship
Favorite thing about IHSA: Spending hours in the van with my teammates on trips to shows and the opportunity to ride such a variety of horses.
November 2011
Rider: Taylor Jansen
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
School: Seton Hill University; Greenburg, Pennsylvania
Zone/Region: Zone 6, Region 5
Major: Business
Graduating: 2014
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat, and Intermediate Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: Everyone shares the same passion!
September 2011
Rider: Emily Hulak
Hometown: Milford, Connecticut
School: Rutgers; New Brunswick, New Jersey
Zone/Region: Zone 3, Region 4
Major: Animal/Equine Science
Graduating: 2013
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat, and Open Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: I love competing in IHSA because it is the ultimate test of who is really the best and most skillful rider; there are no unfair advantages. I also love being part of a team of people that share the same dedication to horses as I do because we have all grown very close.
August 2011
Rider: Melissa Milligan
Hometown: Doyleston, Pennsylvania
School: Delaware Valley College; Doyleston, Pennsylvania
Zone/Region: Zone 3, Region 2
Major: Pre-Professional Biology
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Walk-Trot Equitation and Beginner Horsemanship
Favorite thing about IHSA: My coaches and my team. I feel so lucky to be part of a team with so many dedicated and talented riders!
June 2011
Rider: Megan Hephner
Hometown: Georgetown, KY
School: Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Zone/Region: Zone 5, Region 1
Major: Animal Science, Business Communications
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Open Horsemanship and Reining; Novice Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: IHSA offers a possibility to compete on a National level along side your teammates, which has enabled me to strive for the best as a rider. Also, IHSA gives every student rider an opportunity to accomplish more; it is wonderful to see my teammates grow within the association.
May 2011
Rider: 
Madison Smith
Hometown: Palos Verdes Estates, CA
School: Miami University of Ohio; Oxford, Ohio
Zone/Region: Zone 6, Region 2
Major: International Studies
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat and Open Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: I am on an amazing team and am able to do what I love with my friends.
March 2011
Rider: 
Natalie Colaneri
Hometown: Jericho, NY
School: Dartmouth College - Hanover, New Hampshire
Zone/Region: Zone 1, Region 2
Major: Biology, Government
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter
Favorite thing about IHSA: I like how we ride a lot of different horses in the IHSA horse shows because I feel like this really gives us the experience to become better riders.
February 2011
Rider: Hayley McGuire
Hometown: West Linn, Oregon
School: Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Zone/Region: Zone 8, Region 4
Major: Animal Sciences with Equine Emphasis
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Novice Western Horsemanship and Intermediate Equitation on the Flat
Favorite thing about IHSA: Being a part of an incredible team, the chance to travel around the country, and competing in something that I love doing!
January 2011
Rider: 
Caroline McKinney
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
School: Vanderbilt University - Nashville, Tennessee
Zone/Region: Zone 5, Region 1
Major: Medicine, Health and Society
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Open Equation on the Flat and Open Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: IHSA presents the unique opportunity to travel to new places, meet new horses, and compete in an ever changing environment where you know that there are no unfair advantages; only your skill will determine how you place.
December 2010
Rider: Alissa Hodges
Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
School: Cal Poly Pomona - Pomona, California
Zone/Region: Zone 8, Region 2
Major: Liberal Studies
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Intermediate Equation on the Flat and Novice Equitation over Fences
Favorite thing about IHSA: Meeting new people with the same interests as me!
November 2010
Rider: Jennifer Provost
Hometown: Brentwood, Tennessee
School: Tennessee Tech University - Cookeville, Tennessee
Zone/Region: Zone 5, Region 1
Major: Political Science
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Open Western Horsemanship and Novice Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: It gives you a great opportunity to ride several different types of horses and have fun with your team.
October 2010
Rider: Charmaine Tan
Hometown: Singapore, Singapore
School: Cornell University - Ithaca, New York
Zone/Region: Zone 2, Region 1
Major: English
Graduating: 2012
IHSA Level: Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation
Favorite thing about IHSA: Traveling to horse shows and the amazing horses we get to ride.
September 2010
Rider: Mae Krause
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
School: Otterbein College - Westerville, Ohio
Zone/Region: Zone 6, Region 3
Major: Equine and Business Facility Management
Graduating: 2013
IHSA Level: Novice Equitation on the Flat
Favorite thing about IHSA: Getting the chance to ride so many different kinds of horses is a great learning opportunity!
August 2010
Rider: Randi Cashman
Hometown: Highland Falls, New York
School: Centenary College - Hackettstown, New Jersey
Zone/Region: Zone 3, Region 3
Major: Equine Business
Graduating: 2011
IHSA Level: Open Equitation on the Flat, Intermediate Equitation over Fences, Open Western Horsemanship and Reining
Favorite thing about IHSA: Being a part of a team and the life long friendships I have made.