cailey meca - mayfield, ny

Favorite song to ride to: Heartlessby Morgan Wallen

Favorite horse show memory: I don't have a specific memory. I have been showing my entire life and I just always remember who is there next to me at each show. My family and loved ones are so extremely supportive in this! They help me at each and every show without questions and are always happy to be there, rain or shine.

When you're not riding where can you be found: Most likely camping or playing with my dog.

Summer riding or winter riding. Which do you prefer: 100% sun and warmth! I enjoy riding outdoors and going on trails after a ride. Cooing off horses is so much easier in the summer than in the winter!

Best piece of training advice you've received: I enter in classes where horses have been showing for many years and sometimes I forget that I have a first year show horse who’s only 4 years old. My trainer told me this when I was upset with how the judge was pinning us in classes; “You’re not here for ribbons, you’re here for the milestones with your horse. It’s never about winning ribbons. It’s about taking that next step with your horse and improving each ride."

Jillian peek - schuylerville

Favorite song to ride to: “Dirty Red Road or really any 90's Country!

Favorite horse show memory: Definitely when I won the World Championship 14-17 fitting and showmanship in 2019.

When you're not riding where can you be found: That's an easy one! Working or in school.

Summer riding or winter riding. Which do you prefer: I love riding in the cold because I'm a winter person!

Best piece of riding advice you've been given: It's alright to make mistakes as long as I'm not in the show arena.

Nina fedrizzi - Skaneateles, ny

Favorite song to ride to: I don't listen to Country music too much outside of a barn setting, but on/around horses, it just feels right.

What is your 'go-to' equestrian publication (s): Horse Network, Noelle Floyd, Plaid Horse, PonyApp—anyone I write for!

Would you rather go first in the order, or last, and why: Last. I like to watch a couple go, if possible, and I also hate to have to rush my course walk.

Do you have a horse show ritual? If so, what is it: Not so much before my class—I have a pair of lucky earrings I like to wear. Afterward, I love the ritual of bathing/icing, wrapping, and putting my horse away myself whenever I can. It feels like a nice way to say "thank you."

What constitutes success when it comes to your riding career: These days, I'm really loving the process of bringing along a young horse with my trainer, Audrey Robison, and watching him progress. Eventually, I'd love to return to the amateur jumper divisions with him myself, and hopefully, watch him jump a couple of bigger classes with Audrey!

Allison mcnamara - underhill, vt

Favorite song to ride to: “No Fear” by Dej Loaf

Casual hack or intense, successful lesson? Which and why: I enjoy intense, successful lessons. Every training opportunity—especially those killer lessons—promote growth and build confidence. Every tough exercise is worthwhile as it makes you and your horse work closely together as true partners. After a great lesson I feel like anything is possible!

Would you rather go first in the order or last and why: I would much rather go last in the order than first! I have a young horse with a huge heart. I like to really know and be comfortable with the plan for our round so I can confidently share it with him as I pilot him around the course.

Where do you find the greatest joy in riding: I find and have found great joy in the many wonderful ponies and horses that I have had to privilege to work with and ride. Each taught me so many valuable lessons! I find great joy in all of the amazing people and friends that I have met along the way and all the fun, beautiful places I have been lucky to visit. My absolute greatest joy is my horse, Omar. I have had him since 2018 and he is so smart, brave, and good. He makes me so happy and I am so proud of how far we have come in such a short time together.

What constitutes success when it comes to your riding career: Every rider has their own personal challenges to face and overcome. Riding success is moving through those challenges. Even a tiny step forward can be a huge success when it comes to this sport. I have learned to celebrate the tiny steps along with the giant leaps. That is what I love most about horses and riding.

Erica Kalkut - norfolk, ma

Favorite song to ride to: I love having music playing in the background while I ride and like to switch up what I listen to. Right now “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele is a favorite.

When did you know that horses were your thing:  Some of my earliest memories are of my mom taking my sister and I to see horses whenever the opportunity came up, and I couldn’t wait to learn to ride! I started lessons when I was five or six and never looked back. 

Most favorite riding accomplishment achieved thus far: I’ve been lucky to have had several special horses in my life and many amazing horse memories over the years. One of my favorite accomplishments is of an eighth place finish years ago in the adult New England Equitation final in the coliseum. I’ve always been in awe of the great competition there, and my horse at the time was never brave for the indoor finals, so it was a tough final for us. We both worked so hard to earn that ribbon!

How does your trainer compliment your riding style: I had only been riding at Summer Hill Farm for a month when I was talking with my trainer, Courtney DiLalla, about my riding goals and off hand also mentioned a dream to bring along a young hunter. I didn’t realize how closely she paid attention to what I said, and how accurate she was in understanding my riding despite not knowing me for long. A dream became a reality when not even a month later I was surprised to find out that she not only found the most perfect unicorn that I never thought existed, but also the horse who is the most perfect match to my riding style. 

What would be your 'dream class' to win: I still dream of winning New England Finals someday...but I’m excited to also add to the list new “dream” classes to win in the hunters with my new horse, Jorden. 

Emily throop - Westfield, nj

Favorite song to ride to: I'm not a music listener while riding! Nothing is more relaxing to me than a quiet ride. When it's just me and my horse it's bliss!

Most embarrassing riding moment:  I have a terrible habit of being pop-chipped off while showing at Gladstone.... once I held on, once I went flying... you never know! The pictures are great though!

Favorite post horse show dinner spot: Wendy's is my go-to!

Best advice you've received from your trainer: Add leg! I also love to hear them say to have fun before I walk into the ring.

What would be your 'dream class' to win: Anything at indoors. I grew up on the west coast and indoors were a bit mythical. I still pinch myself when I get to show there!

Marissa dolan - Boston, ma

Favorite song to ride to: I like to listen to Spotify playlists while I'm flatting. It's usually the Chainsmokers or country, depending on my mood! 

Most embarrassing riding moment:  I was doing the Hunter Prix in the HITS Ocala Stadium on my horse Chestnut Hill and there was a jump at the far end of the ring pointed right at the hill on the other side of the fence and when I landed I went to turn right to the next jump and my horse was startled by the hill being so close and decided instead to turn left to escape and we "parted ways" at that point. I was so far away from the in-gate and it seemed like the longest walk ever to get out of the ring, with my horse in tow. My trainers, along with some others at the gate, were all laughing and asking what happened?! I was so far away no one could really see. It was also caught on video, which comes in handy for a good laugh! 

Favorite post horse show dinner spot: Definitely Pepe's In Ocala, they have the best margaritas and Mexican food!

Best advice you've received from your trainer: That's a tough one! I have known Jen Ritucci for most of my life and have learned so much from her! We look a lot alike and also ride very similarly so watching her ride, especially my horses Cory and Scooby, has always been super helpful for me. 

What would be your 'dream class' to win: I would love to win in the A/O Division at Capital Challenge. I am bringing along a young horse right now, Emerald City, and that's definitely a goal I have set for him! 

Julie Bianco - wilbraham, ma

Favorite song to ride to: Eye of the Tiger ... LOL (showing my age) or Red Hair Long Legs by Gaelic Storm when I ride my horse Lily.

Most embarrassing riding moment: One year at the New England Morgan Horse Show my helmet slipped over my eyes and I couldn't see!

Favorite post horse show dinner spot: Definitely Latitudes in West, Springfield, MA!

Best advice you've received from your trainer: "Be braver than your horse is!" and "It's not a carousel ride!"

Best bit of riding/horsemanship advice you're received: World Champion Amateur Masters, Hunters of Western.

Allison Peek - Schuylerville, ny

Favorite song to ride to: Floatin'

Most favorite horse show:   Definitely the New England Morgan Horse Show!

Best horse show memory: There's way too many memories to pick, but it would most likely be a memory from New England Morgan Horse Show.

What words come to mind when describing your trainer: Kind, hard working, and thoughtful.

Best bit of riding/horsemanship advice you're received: Keep riding every stride of your ring like it's your last pass.

Anna Hayes - stow, ma

Favorite song to ride to: Anything from the Beatles or Twiddle.

Most favorite horse show: Probably Saugerties, NY. I love that there is turnout for the horses, and they always put on a great show.

Best barn memory: I can’t pick just one thing, but as a whole, being a barn rat in college. That’s where I first met George (and Brendan!) and really started to develop my riding. I spent every second I could at the barn helping my trainer, and we had so much fun together.

What words come to mind when describing your trainer: Brave, fun, versatile, and incredibly knowledgeable! She is a talented rider and incredible teacher!

Best bit of riding/horsemanship advice you're received: Hard to pick one thing, but I think most importantly it’s that horses need variety in their work and at the end of the day both rider and horse should be having fun! 

Alannah dibona - Plymouth, ma

Favorite song to ride to: "America's Sweetheart" by Elle King - it was the soundtrack to Boone's sale video and perfectly matched his cute, springy gait!

When did you know you were 'hooked' on horses: I took my first lesson at age five and immediately fell off, grinned, and got back on. Horses have been a constant force in my life ever since!  

What does a successful day at a horse show look like for you: Boone and I have both been traditionally successful in the stock-breed pleasure and equitation arenas, but we're still relatively new to eventing. A successful show day now looks like completing all three phases and finishing cross country with that big, adrenaline-charged smile!

Best piece of advice you have received from your trainer: Stop being so hard on yourself! Erin Risso is great at helping adults shift their mindsets.

How can the horse industry be more inclusive: By bringing back the barn rat! While there are many formalized working student positions out there, the ability to exchange ride time for sweat equity in a more casual way is formative for so many kids who otherwise couldn't afford to participate in our industry.

Esther Hahn Cooney - agoura hills, ca

Favorite song to ride to: "Sunset Lover" by Petit Biscuit

When did you know you were 'hooked' on horses:   It all started with the pony rides in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. I think many unsuspecting parents have had to go down the horse path thanks to those pony rides.

What does a successful day at a horse show look like to you: I would consider clean, smooth rounds to be a success. And of course, a few blue ribbons wouldn't hurt, either!

Best piece of advice you have received from your trainer: To visualize each part of my course by riding it in my mind before entering the ring.

How can the horse industry be more inclusive: I think there needs to be a return of the one-day, trailer-in shows, and the trainers willing to go to them. It would also be helpful to foster more of a 'do it yourself' approach to horse ownership.

Best horse show memory:  First time back to VSF (my favorite!) in 2015 after a bit of a horse show hiatus. Was grateful to be there with such an awesome team, a (finally) healthy horse, and have some great trips.

Your 'go-to' Corona quarantine snack: Unfortunately… ice cream!

What is your favorite riding exercise and why: I love using poles and cavalettis in my flat work to help with my horse’s rhythm (plus my eye!) and engage his hind end without putting him through too many jumping days.

Best bit of riding/horsemanship advise you've ever received: Love the animal first and the sport second.

Alexandra simon - norwell, MA

Favorite song to ride to: Working on a Queen freestyle mix (The Show must Go On, Don’t stop me now,…)

Most favorite horse show: The New England Dressage Association (NEDA) shows.

Favorite non-horse show destination: Maldives are my absolute favorite destination!

Aside from horses I like to ... : Is there anything aside from horses??? LOL I actually love cook books and trying new recipes. 

Who's your biggest supporter and why: Oh, in this case it’s my husband. Getting up very early in the morning on the weekend, driving me and my mare to the jumper shows in the area, and he had to deal with my great mood when I had a rail down. He got used to this while in Germany!

Olivia reiskin - warren, vt

Favorite song to ride to: Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride

Most favorite horse show: Vermont Summer Festival and WEF!

Favorite non-horse show destination: Nantucket

Aside from horses I like to ... : Be with my friends.

Who's your biggest supporter and why: Definitely my mom! She gives up most of her life to travel to shows and cheer me on.

Jessica hart - waltham, ma

Favorite song to ride to: Lizzo - Good as Hell

Most favorite horse show: Saratoga or championship week at Saugerties.

Favorite horse treat: Good old fashioned carrots!

Favorite barn smell: The smell of the first 5 or 6 steps walking into the barn where the smell of horses just hits you!

When you're not in the saddle...: I'm in downtown Boston at work, or at home playing MarioKart with the family!

Laura maxson - windsor, ct

Favorite song to ride to:  I don’t know if I have a favorite song to ride to, but I definitely like to listen to something upbeat!

Most favorite horse show: New England Morgan Horse Show in Northampton, MA.

Favorite horse treat: Apples and a seltzer water... sometimes even coffee!

Favorite barn smell: When the horses are all cleaned after a class and rubbed down with liniment.

When you're not in the saddle...: Right now we are super busy with my sons travel soccer team and my daughter is getting ready for another track season this spring.