Members

Meet the 2009-2010 Team Members

Coach- Jen

Hi, my name is Jen and this is my 10th year coaching the Oregon State University Hunter Jumper Team. Previously, I've coached the Santiam Christian High School Equestrian Team and have also served as the Willamette Valley District Chair for OHSET. I was born in New England and spent my high school years in California where I had the great fortune to show hunters/jumpers and acted as the assistant instructor. I received a BS in Zoology from Oregon State University in 1997 and am currently working on my masters of science. I own two horses, my retired thoroughbred jumper gelding Hampton, (the namesake of our farm), and Lady, my thoroughbred broodmare who has produced several premium sporthorse foals. I have been riding and teaching in the hunter/jumper discipline for nearly 20 years, with many of my students competitive in both the OHJA and USEF circuits. I have two wonderful children, Andy and Nicole, both of whom love the barn and horses!

Assistant Coach- Molly

Hi, I'm Molly. I'm from Escondido, California and I graduated this year with a major in Animal Sciences with an equine option. I was on the team for four years. I was team president and vice president. Also, I was secretary of the OSU Equestrian Club for several years. This year is my first year as assistant coach for the team. I have been riding for over 13 and have shown in hunter, jumpers and equitation in both California and Oregon. I currently own a dark bay thoroughbred gelding named Phoenix. My goal for us this year is to be more consistent and to do well at shows.

Webmaster- Deanna

Hi, I'm Deanna. I was born and raised in Damascus, Oregon. My first ride on a horse was when I was 4 1/2. My Dad bought me my first horse when I was 7. She is an appaloosa mustang cross, which I sold my sophomore year of high school. I bought my current horse, an appendix quarter horse, when I was in 8th grade. I have known her since she was about an hour old and she is now 21. I ride both English and western. My horse, Katie, and I compete on the OHJA local jumper circuit. I married the love of my life, Ryan, on September 8, 2001. I graduated in June 2002 from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and a minor in Equine Science. I was on the team from 2000 to 2002. I am the team's webmaster, which I have been doing since 2002. I was also assistant coach for one year. My husband and I had our first child this past April. Her name is Erika and she's the greatest! When I'm not riding my horse I enjoy camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, writing, cross stitching, reading, and spending time with my husband and daughter (not in that particular order). My second passion is salmon and steelhead.

President- Candace

Hi, I'm Candace. I'm from Santa Clarita, California. This is my first year on the team. I am a freshmen in the animal science program with a pre-vet option. My horse is a dark bay thoroughbred gelding named Freeway. He hasn't been jumping long, but loves to jump high. We have done some hunter shows, but Freeway is much more a jumper at heart. Freeway and I are hoping to become more consistent in the show ring and get through our first year of college.

Vice President- Meg

Hi, I'm Meg and I was born and raised in Bend, Oregon. This is my first year on the OSU team, but I have been riding horses of all shapes, sizes, and colors since I was 10. I am a freshman and my hopeful major is Agriculture Business Management. My horse is Justin and he is the love of my life, tall, dark, and handsome. Justin and I compete mainly on the hunter circuit because jumping fast is too scary for him.

Secretary- Gina

Hi, I'm Gina. I'm a freshman with a major in biochemistry and biophysics with a minor in anthropology. My hometown is Medford, Oregon. This is my first year on the team. This is my 6th year riding horses. I owned my mare, Penny, for a year before she lost her eye. This is when I got my current horse, Bandit. He is a registered sorrel overo paint/pinto. Bandit and I grew together. I did all the training myself and we both have become very well rounded. We compete in Dressage, Jumping (Hunter Over Fences, Hunter Hack, etc.), Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Equitation, Showmanship, Team Penning, Ranch Sorting (My Favorite), Trail, Gymkhana Events, In hand Trail, Working Ranch Horse, Reining, 4-H for 5 years, OHSET for 4 years, Halter, and (OHSET) Drill. In 2008, I received a Medallion in Western Eq and a Medallion in Trail. Bandit and I are relatively new to jumping and consistently jump 2'6". We have, on occasion, jumped 2'9". Bandit has jumped 3', but not with me. I hope to accomplish this by the end of this coming winter.

Treasurer- Carver

Hi, I'm Carver. I'm a sophomore in animal science with pre-vet and equine options and a minor in chemistry. This is my second year on the team. My hometown is Santa Fe, New Mexico. I've been riding since I was six years old, starting out in Hunter-Jumpers and doing that for about seven years. Then five years ago I started seriously doing Eventing and loved it. I've shown through training level at CIC* and qualified for the AECs (American Eventing Championships) in Kentucky in 2006. Not having any USEA recognized shows in New Mexico, I've mainly shown in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California. I've been working with baby horses just recently (last 3 years or so), starting them as hunter-jumpers or eventers. I also did vaulting for 2 years, which I miss doing. I competed in nationals in Colorado in 2005. www.CarverHainesEquestrian.com

Marian

Hi, I'm Marian. I'm a sophomore in the Animal Science department and this is my first year on the team. I'm from Salem, OR. I've been riding since I was 9 years old. I started out doing western and gaming, but I've always wanted to jump. I'm leasing Katie for the team, but the love of my life is my horse Skipper, an 8 year old dun Quarter horse gelding. We've been together for 6 years and we're learning to jump together. My goal for the year is to improve our communication and consistency. I'm excited for us to be part of the team!

Megan

Hi, I'm Megan. I'm a 4th year vet student with an interest in large animals. This is my second year on the hunter jumper team. I am president of the Equestrian Club. My hometown is Banks, Oregon. I've been riding since I was 12. I learned to ride and jump on an aged Thoroughbred and spent my younger years showing in 4-H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. I use dressage basics to build on with every horse and have dabbled in many disciplines. I currently own Preston, a 5 year old bay Morgan gelding. We have competed in dressage, eventing, equestrian drill, and Morgan versatility (which is everything from reining to saddleseat). This summer, Preston and I took 2nd place in beginner novice at the Inavale Horse Trial.