Meet Our Riders

Please take a moment to learn about some of our incredible student-athletes.

ALMA MCKEAN

JUNE 2026
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Leavenworth, WA | Construction Management.
Alma McKean is starting her fourth year at the University of Washington, majoring in construction management. Since her freshman year, she has been involved with IHSA as both a member and in leadership positions. Alma has found that IHSA is a great way to find community on a large campus and continue one of her greatest passions.
As a freshman, Alma came in as a Level I Horsemanship rider. By her sophomore year on the team, like most of her teammates, she began riding both Western and hunter seat. Alma was also elected as the Western team captain in her second year, a position she held for two years.

"Getting elected into a leadership role so early in my experience was intimidating, but deeply rewarding. I have learned so much about myself, my teammates and leadership. I want to give back to this team as much as possible because it has given me so much.” Alma said.
The transition to college is challenging enough. Continuing her riding career seemed impossible, but thanks to IHSA, Alma has continued to pursue her goals and grow as a rider.

“Without IHSA, showing and riding would have become something I used to do. Instead, I have been able to not just participate but truly become a competitor,” she said.

Alma will always look back fondly on these years thanks to the coaches, teammates and horses she has had the privilege to learn from along the way.

AVA BROWN

JANUARY 2026
STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Folsom, CA | Data Science B.S.
Ava Brown came to the Stanford Equestrian Team with just one year of childhood riding lessons — and leaves it as a testament to everything the IHSA stands for. A Novice Equitation competitor, Ava found in the Red Barn a community that matched the extraordinary pace of her life on campus.
During her four years at Stanford, Ava served as Executive President of the Associated Students of Stanford University, representing 17,500 graduate and undergraduate students. She organized the first in-person student-led TEDxStanford conference and founded the Black Voices Speaker Series to amplify underrepresented voices on campus. Off campus, she serves as Executive Vice President of BLK Capital Management, partnering with 30+ corporate sponsors to support minority students interested in finance across the US and Europe.
Through it all, the Red Barn remained her anchor. "The time I spend at the Red Barn with my teammates is an invaluable source of friendship and restoration," she says. For Ava, the IHSA's commitment to welcoming riders of all backgrounds is what makes collegiate equestrian truly special — and Stanford's coaching staff has embraced that mission fully.
After graduation, Ava heads to New York City to begin her career at Bridgewater Associates.

KATE STUCKEY

NOVEMBER 2025
THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Kate Stuckey is a senior nursing major at the University of Delaware. IHSA has played an integral role in her college experience ever since she joined the university’s equestrian team her freshman year. She grew up in Virginia and when she was looking at colleges, she knew she wanted to find a school where she could continue to pursue her lifelong passion for horseback riding while also earning a degree in a field that would allow her to help others. The University of Delaware and its IHSA team turned out to be the perfect fit.
"IHSA has been so much more than just an extracurricular activity — it has been a community, a classroom, and a second home. Through this organization, I have developed lasting friendships, learned valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience, and discovered new levels of confidence both in and out of the saddle. The unique format of IHSA competitions — drawing a horse you may have never ridden before and adapting on the spot — has taught me adaptability and quick thinking, skills that have translated directly into my studies and future career in nursing. It’s about learning to trust your instincts, communicate clearly, and stay calm under pressure, no matter what challenges arise" Stuckey says.
Over the past four years, she also had the privilege of growing into a leadership role as team captain, a position she held for the past two seasons. "Leading our team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. I’ve had the chance to mentor younger riders, help organize team events, and foster an environment where everyone feels supported — whether it’s their first time showing or they’re competing at Regionals. Watching my teammates grow in confidence and celebrate each other’s successes has reminded me what IHSA is all about: inclusion, sportsmanship, and the shared love of horses."
Stuckey would also like to recognize their coach, Amy Freeman-Suess, whose guidance and encouragement has been truly meaningful. "Amy’s passion for the sport and belief in her riders inspire all of us to keep improving while enjoying every ride. I’m so grateful for her mentorship and the lessons she’s taught me, both in and out of the arena."
As a senior, looking toward graduation, Stuckey reflects "I’m so grateful for everything IHSA has given me — the memories, the lessons, and the people who have made this experience unforgettable. No matter where life takes me after nursing school, I know the discipline, adaptability, and teamwork I’ve gained through IHSA will continue to guide me. IHSA has not only shaped me as a rider but as a person, and for that, I am endlessly thankful."

ALEX RONNINGEN

JUNE 2025
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Alex Ronningen was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just 11 months old. Her grandmother, a physical therapist, was familiar with the benefits of therapeutic riding and introduced the family to hippotherapy—therapy conducted on horseback. At age 2, Ronningen began hippotherapy, and by 8 or 9, she transitioned to traditional riding lessons with a trainer, joining her sister in riding and competing as an able-bodied athlete.
She participated in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) throughout middle and high school, all while managing the challenges of her condition. At 16, Ronningen was also diagnosed with diabetes, adding another layer to her daily health routine. Still, she remained determined and upbeat, working last summer as a working student for grand prix rider Wilhelm Genn.
Now a student at Louisiana State University, Alex earned a spot on the LSU Equestrian Team. At the Zone 5 Finals at SCAD, she qualified for the 2025 IHSA National Championship in The Chronicle of the Horse Limit Equitation Over Fences aboard SCAD’s beloved horse, Pork Chop.
Hear more from Alex about her journey with cystic fibrosis—and how horses continue to play a central role in her life.

VICTORIA DEFEO

JANUARY 2025
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Victoria DeFeo graduated in the fall of 2024 from UCF with her bachelor's in biomedical sciences. She competed in Limit Equitation on the Flat and Over Fences while on the hunter seat team and qualified for Regionals in March 2025.

“My favorite aspects about IHSA are undeniably my coach, the lifelong equestrian friends I have made, and of course getting the experience to ride new horses every show!” De Feo said.
“I cannot remember a time in my life without horses, having ridden since I was 5,” she said.
De Feo competed in IEA throughout middle and high school. So, when she learned University of Central Florida had an IHSA team, she knew she had to try out.
“That decision ended up being one of the best choices of my college career," she said. "IHSA not only let me return to something I loved, but it also introduced me to Lesli Isaacson, our incredible coach and Region 5 president, as well as the amazing teammates I ride and compete with. There is no better feeling than being surrounded by people that continuously support you while pursuing something you are passionate about and having a coach who teaches invaluable lessons both in and out of the saddle"
DeFeo says that most importantly, IHSA has taught her that it is not the ribbon’s color that matters, but the experiences, horses and people you meet along the way that make the journey so meaningful.
“I truly would not be the confident and resilient person I am today without this program.”

GABRIELLE WALL

OCTOBER 2024
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY

Gabrielle Wall is from Williamston, North Carolina, and has been riding since she was 8 years old. She says that without horses and the equine industry, she would be a significantly different person. Before she started taking lessons, Gabrielle tried a variety of sports. However, during her sophomore year of high school she decided to put her focus where, she says, her heart was happiest. That ended up being one her most life-changing decisions. She found my love for the science behind the horse and discovered many new dreams. Now a sophomore at St. Andrews University (Go Knights!) she competes on the Western IHSA team and study in Equine Science. The past two years, she has competed at the APHA World Show and not only have been successful in my placings, but also in gaining an abundance of knowledge. In June of this year, Wall competed for the title of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Queen. "The skills that IHSA has provided me with helped me earn this title," she said. "Over this past year I have grown both as a rider and as an individual due to being a part of IHSA and the support I have received from both my coaches and my teammates throughout all my endeavors both in and out of school."

BROOKE WOLFINGER

JUNE 2024
DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Brooke Wolfinger is going into her senior year at Delaware Valley University, dual majoring in agribusiness and equine management with a specialization in business. She has been a member of both the Western and hunter seat IHSA teams since her freshman year. Her senior year will be her second year serving as captain of both the Western and hunter seat IHSA teams at DelVal. She currently competes in Horseware Ireland Intermediate Over Fences and Intermediate on the Flat for hunter seat and Open Reining and Horsemanship for the Western team. While at school, she is involved in many other campus clubs and work an off-campus job at Saddlebrook Equestrian Center. Brooke competed at the 2024 IHSA National Championships in North Carolina, in three different individual classes, including the The Chronicle of the Horse Individual Limit Over Fences, AQHA Individual Level II Horsemanship and NRHA/AQHA Individual Ranch Riding.

KENLEIGH DAVIS

FEBRUARY 2024
MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY

Kenleigh Davis is an Equine Science major who has competed in the IHSA for all four years at Murray State University. This year, she is serving as Murray State University Western Team captain while competing in Level Two Horsemanship and Ranch Riding. She is also a four-year Murray State University Hunter Seat Team member. Kenleigh works at the University barn caring for the horses and just completed an internship with a well-known reining trainer. Kenleigh says, “I like to tell people not to be afraid of putting in the work to get what they want. The world is tough; you just have to learn and work every day to be tougher!“

A Spotlight on our Membership