Paula H. Lindsay
Tammi C. Loving
Jessi (Smith) Lohman
- Graduated in 2000
- She Received a major in Communications and a minor in Equine Science
- Since graduation, Jessi has become the Manager of Equine Marketing for Southern States Coop. She also has her small "r" judging card in Hunters and Equitation.
- Advice: "Pick a job you truly love. It will make you a happier person!"
Julie Moore (formerly Julie Higgins)
- Graduated in 2000
- She Received a degree in Nutrition
- She currently lives in Boones Mill, VA
- Since graduation, Julie has worked at the Roanoke Athletic Club and Botetourt Athletic Club as sales manager for 5 years. Just recently she switched to Community Health Educator for Frankln County.
- Advice: "Make sure you have fun!!"
Katie Lucas (formerly Katie Troup)
- Graduated in 1997
- She Received a degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics
- She currently lives in Blacksburg, VA
- Katie works as a Contracts & Grants Administrator, Office of Sponsored Programs at VA Tech. Prior to her current employment she worked for an oil company, two energy training companies, and spent some time in The Plains/Middleburg, VA area as a stable manager, and had some fun foxhunting.
Alissa Norman (formerly Alissa Cowan)
- Graduated in 1996
- She received a Bachelors in Forestry and Wildlife Resources
- Alissa currently lives in Havre de Grace, MD
- Since graduation, Alissa was the Stable manager at VT for a
couple years, then went to Caz College for a year, and Sweet Briar College for five
years. Currently, Alissa is working for the Maryland Horse Breeders Association in
Towson, MD, as the Director of Special Events and Sponsorships. She also is a
volunteer for Fair Hill International - in fall of 2005 she organized the
North American Endurance Championship (crazy people riding horses for
100 miles in less than 21 hours). She still has CoCo, who some people riding in 1997-98 might remember. Coco's the best dog in the world. She's now 14 years young.
- Advice: "Always keep in touch with the riding staff at VT - they know
LOTS of people and can really help you out in your career down the
road. And don't be afraid to try a career in something completely
different than what you majored in!"
Theresa Pryor
Thames Robinson
Karen Runde (formerly Karen Kraft)
- Graduated in 1981
- She received a Bachelors in Animal Science
- Karen currently lives in Mechanicsville, MD
- In 1980 my friends and I started the first Equestrian Club and IHSA team at Tech. Kathy (Moriarity) Kunsman was the first president, and I believe I was the first treasurer. I have attached a photo of some of us on our trip to Kentucky to tour horse farms and attend the Derby. About 12 of us rented a station wagon and a van and headed to Lexington and Louisville. We slept in the broodmare barns at various farms, and watched the Derby from the infield. One of many great times we had!
I now live in Mechanicsville, MD; where I helped to start and coached the first IHSA team at St. Marys College of Maryland. My husband (Chris Runde, DVM) and I and our 2 teenagers live on a 50 acre farm with 6 horses and various dogs and cats. I still foxhunt and show with my daughter Kristina (photo above).
- Advice: "Keep in touch with your teammates- some of my closest friends today were made at VA Tech in the Equestrian Club 27 years ago"
Katie Schlesinger
- Graduated in December of 2005
- She Received a B.S. in Horticulture
- She currently lives in Blacksburg, VA
- Katie is currently attending vet school at the VMRCVM.
- Advice: "Keep truckin!"
Rebecca (Reba) Slivka
- Graduated in 2005
- She Received a degree in APSC
- She currently lives in Blacksburg, VA
- Rebecca is currently in vet school at the VMRCVM.
- Advice: "Ride as much as you can in undergrad and take advantage of all the opportunities given to you as an undergrad like being in a riding class, showing, etc."
Stacey Stenzel
- Graduated in 2003
- She Received a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Science
- She currently lives in Bedford, VA
- Stacey is currently working as a Quality Auditor for C. B. Fleet in Lynchgurg. She tries to ride as much as possible, and has lots of fun foxhunting, showing, and just relaxing.
- Advice: "Keep riding, and represent VT as alumni."
Jill Thompson
Dana VanLew
- Graduated in 2003
- She Received a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Science
- She currently lives in Richmond, VA
- Since graduation, Dana has been living in Richmond and working full time. She has tried to stay involved in the horse world as much as possible and still hopes to have some of her own one day. She recently bought a house with enough land to build a barn and keep a horse.
- Advice: "Keep in touch with your friends. Once you graduate, it's hard to find times to get together."
Bill Watkins
- Graduated in 2003
- He Received a B.A. in Political Science
- He currently lives in Millersville, MD
- Bill now works for Picerne Military Housing, a company that builds housing for the Army, as a Construction Engineer
Ashley Wolfe
- Graduated in 2005
- She Received a Bachelors in Animal Science
- Ashley currently lives in Philadelphia, PA
- Since graduation, Ashley became the breeding manager at Acorn Hill Farm in Madison, VA. Acorn Hill Farm breeds Irish Sport Horses and Warmbloods. Now, she is working as a trainer at Iron Spring Farm. In addition, she became engaged in October to Nathan Paling, a graduate of Bridgewater College in VA.
Peggy Burn Yost
- Graduated in 1957
- She Received a Bachelors in Animal Husbandry
- There was no Equestrian team at that time; in fact, the head of the
department said we would not even be studying about horses because he
was sure that in a few years there would be NO horses in the US. Ha!! little did he know.
I eventually became a breeder and trainer of Appaloosa and Appaloosa/TB
crosses. We showed on the Appaloosa circuit in just about all classes.
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