Lindsey

Lindsey Carmack is a May 2011 graduate from the University of Findlay.  She is the daughter of Nancy and Phil Carmack from Owings Cross Roads, Alabama.  Lindsey’s majors were Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training and Equine Business Management.  Lindsey recalls her passion for horses beginning at the age of 8.   Along with her own horse Dutch, who she has owned for the past 3 years, Lindsey’s favorite UF horse is Ramses, also known as Romanza.  She represented The University of Findlay at the 2010 IDA Nationals, where she won first place in her team class and qualified for a spot individually at first level, where she was awarded reserve champion.  Being one of the most versatile riders, Lindsey has been a member of the IHSA Hunt Seat, IHSA Stock Seat as well as IDA teams.  She has also ridden reining horses and jumped, in addition to being the accomplished dressage rider that you see today. Although is it difficult to recall just one favorite UF memory, one of Lindsey’s favorite pastimes has been telling Allison McClure what to do.  As IDA co-presidents, they have both been great assets to the team, both in and out of the area.


Allison

Allison McClure graduated May of 2011. Allison’s majors were Equine Business Management and Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training, with minors in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. She calls Valparaiso, Indiana home and is the daughter of Bill and Kathleen McClure. Allison can’t remember specifically, the first time she rode horses or what sparked an interest, but she acquired her first horse while in the 8th grade. It was not difficult, however, for Allison to choose Navajo as her favorite UF horse. He is an Appaloosa, who she fondly refers to as “The Spotted Extraordinaire”; the best spotted horse on the entire earth. If you have ever seen him, you absolutely understand why! When asked about a moment she most fondly remembers here at the University of Findlay, Allison responded that she has always enjoyed riding her favorite horses in the front field on beautiful days. She also looks back to when the IDA team “discovered” the wonders of Cabela’s on the way to a competition in West Virginia; the training pyramid dance, choreographed and set to music by her entire class for extra credit, as well as the annual Christmas Party. Allison served as co-president of IDA, along with Lindsey Carmack.


Diane

Diane Susdorf is another UF senior that graduated in May of this 2011.  She comes from Fishers, Indiana and is the daughter of Glen and Susan Susdorf.  Diane was an Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training and English-Creative Writing Emphasis major.  Her equestrian career began as a result of a pony ride at a large horse show at approximately 6 or 7 years old.  She recalls begging her mother for lessons as the pony moseyed around the circle.  What Diane will miss about leaving the University of Findlay is riding her bike through campus in the early fall and yelling hellos to friends, while speeding by.  Of course she could never forget about being caught riding her mustang, Reno, in her muck boots in her freshman year.  Her favorite UF horse is Wizzet because, “She is a very challenging horse to ride, so she teaches me something every time I ride her.  I also enjoy our matching fiery red hair”.  Diane also represented the University of Findlay team in the intro division at the 2010 IDA Nationals.


Jillian

Jillian Burkart is the “poster girl” for the UF Dressage program and because of that is fondly known as “Big Jill” (if you’ve seen it, you know why). She shares that honor with, Johnson, who is among her favorite horses in the program, along with Dickie, Meistro and Remington, just to name a few. Jill is the daughter of Rick and Lisa Burkart of St. Joseph, Michigan, and plans to graduate in May 2012. Her majors are Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training and Equine Business Management, along with minors in Marketing and Business Administration. Jill also works as one of the two Dressage program interns. Jill’s love of horses started at the age of 6 with trail riding at the family cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where neighbors had horses. By 11, her mom was convinced that she was serious, and gave her riding lessons in her home town as a Christmas gift. She has been hooked ever since. A memorable time for Jill at the University of Findlay came during her freshman year. She says, “I fell off Wizzet at the IDA Nationals in front of God and every dressage college student in the country. When I got back up everyone was quiet and Janet (Harms) said, ‘how about you start riding’. This was just the cherry on top of a fantastic freshman year”. Fortunately, it has been uphill from there! 


Lizz

Elizabeth “Lizz” Blaum graduated from UF in May 2011. She majored in Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training and Equine Business Management. Lizz, the daughter of Richard and Roberta Blaum of Carmel, New York, was born in New York City, and remembers starting in horses at the tender age of 5, shortly after moving out of the city. She was insistent upon taking lessons, and soon the trek to a nearby barn became a weekly ritual. Lizz found that the more she learned about horses and riding, the more she wanted to know. This thirst for knowledge led her to our program at UF, where Lizz recalls while walking on campus with friends during her freshman year, they happened to pass the Findlay Bell. One friend later mentioned that she had thought to herself “Is that THE Liberty Bell?” but didn’t want to say anything…...finally, she did ask! Today, Lizz is riding her favorite University of Findlay horse, Harley because she feels he is the one who has taught her more than the others combined. Although he has upper level training, he needs to be persuaded to give 100%. Lizz says, “Riding him has improved my riding on all the other horses that I ride. He is a total sweetheart on the ground and has great personality under saddle; he is very sassy”.

Audrey

Audrey Busby completed her senior year here at the University of Findlay with majors in Animal Science and Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training.  She is planning on continuing her education in a graduate program for Animal Science/Nutrition.  Audrey’s hometown is North Canton, Ohio and she is the daughter of Brady and Christine Busby.  She completed her second year as an intern in the UF Dressage program. Audrey doesn’t specifically remember how she began her interest in horses, but taking weekly group lessons at a local riding stable was the likely start, undoubtedly like many UF students.  She has noted two of her favorite horses to be Meistro and Luuch, a Friesian gelding who was leased by the University. While the University of Findlay hosted the 2009 IDA Nationals, Audrey represented the school in both the team and individual competitions.  She fondly recollects planning the golf cart obstacle course along with Ashley Parsons, where the schools competed for the coveted Team Spirit Award.  Always comfortable in front of a crowd, Audrey has also been called upon as one of the regular demo riders for Equestrian Festivals and other promotional events.


Emily

Emily Staadecker, the daughter of Judi and Bert Staadecker will be graduating in May 2012, hails from Streetsboro, Ohio.  Emily is majoring in Equine Business Management and Equestrian Studies-English Riding/Training, with a minor in Marketing.  Being involved in 4-H sparked Emily’s interest in horses, beginning with Western pleasure and English pleasure on her own quarter horse.  A local instructor was instrumental in getting her interested in and starting dressage at local schooling shows, and then, eventually rated shows.  Emily has been involved with IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association), and the competitions are responsible for many fond memories for her at UF.  She remembers an occasion at an IDA show where she was determined to consume 6 donuts in 5 minutes.  She unfortunately learned that it was impossible, with the moment being captured on camera as a constant reminder, powdered sugar and all. Topas is Emily’s mount today, and is a favorite or hers, along with Bobby Sox, who she generously donated to the University of Findlay.  She thinks Topas is fabulous and loves it when he knickers to her.  We’re sure the feeling is mutual.