NCAA #: 2312175332
I'm Olivia! Horsemanship Class of 2027
About Me
Three words I would use to describe myself are: dedicated, determined, and committed. The love and passion I have for riding horses has been my main motivation in life and the driving force behind my decision to pursue collegiate equestrian. I am a sophomore from Haddam, CT, with 10 years of riding experience. Since the age of six, I have competed in AQHA events, focusing now on all-around events, particularly horsemanship and trail.
I currently ride with Colton LaSusa and Whitney Lagace, striving to ride seven days a week. I spend most of my time at the barn not only riding my own horse but also helping out wherever I can and riding many other horses. I am always willing to put in the extra effort because I understand the level of commitment required in an equestrian program. Being a team player is important to me, and I take pride in encouraging and supporting others through good times and challenges. Most importantly, I view feedback from coaches, judges, and teammates as opportunities for growth, and I am eager to learn and improve every day.
Over the years, I have competed at major AQHA events across the country, including the World Show, Congress, and NSBA. My current horse, whom I have had since 2022, has been a significant part of my journey. She was fairly green in horsemanship and equitation when we started, but through hard work and perseverance, we’ve achieved many wins in trail and have earned recognition in horsemanship and other events. When she had an accident, I leased another horse who was also green in horsemanship. This experience taught me adaptability and gave me valuable training insights. When my horse recovered just before Congress, we had limited time to prepare, but we delivered one of our best horsemanship patterns yet. That moment reinforced my belief that hard work and resilience pay off, and it brought us back as a stronger team.
In addition to AQHA, I have competed in YEDA, which gave me the opportunity to ride a variety of horses. I loved the challenge of adapting to each horse, an experience that aligns closely with collegiate riding. My ultimate collegiate equestrian goal is to secure a roster spot at an NCAA Division I university where I can contribute to my team’s success and continue to grow as a rider. A dream of mine is to earn All-American honors along the way.
While riding is a central part of my life, I am also passionate about other activities. I enjoy playing volleyball, skiing, boating, and spending time with my family and friends. Academically, I am interested in studying Animal Science, but I am also exploring sports medicine and certain areas of business. I am looking for a university and team that values hard work, dedication, and a supportive community—a place where I can pursue my passions both in and out of the arena.
Achievements
2024
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Region 6 Super 6
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All Around Champion 14-18
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Champion 14-18 HMS
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Res. Champion 14-18 Trail & Western Riding
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Congress 12-14 HMS 12th place & 13th place in Trail
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Orange Blossom Circuit 14-18 HMS 2nd place
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PQHA Mid Summer Madness
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14-18 HMS Res. Champion
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14-18 Trail Champion
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NSBA Top 10 13&U HMS
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Region 6 Super 6 13&U HMS Champion
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AQHYA World 13&U Trail 4th place
2023
