Meet Our Team Horses
African Oak
"Frank"
Frank, sometimes known affectionately as Franklin, is a 1995 Thoroughbred gelding standing at 17.2 hands. Frank is owned by Christina Caruso, and the USC Equestrian Team is very thankful to have him as one of our mounts! A seasoned jumper/equitation show horse, Frank is a fun ride. He is full of energy and loves to jump. Frank is very athletic and will gallop up to the spookiest jumps without any hesitation. He is one of the favorite mounts for our intermediate and advanced riders. He made his IHSA debut in 2014 and is one of the favorite Open draws, even earning regional Horse of the Year Accolades in 2017 for accruing the most points of any other horse.
"Frank"
Frank, sometimes known affectionately as Franklin, is a 1995 Thoroughbred gelding standing at 17.2 hands. Frank is owned by Christina Caruso, and the USC Equestrian Team is very thankful to have him as one of our mounts! A seasoned jumper/equitation show horse, Frank is a fun ride. He is full of energy and loves to jump. Frank is very athletic and will gallop up to the spookiest jumps without any hesitation. He is one of the favorite mounts for our intermediate and advanced riders. He made his IHSA debut in 2014 and is one of the favorite Open draws, even earning regional Horse of the Year Accolades in 2017 for accruing the most points of any other horse.
The King and I
"King"
King is a 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by former team member Mady Burger. Standing at a stout 17.2 hands, King hails originally from Ireland, and did primarily fox hunting and jumping until the age of six, when he was imported to the US to train as a jumper in Florida. After working the circuit for a few years, he was sold and switched to the eventing discipline. He joined the team in the fall of 2015 and has since then won everyone over with his good looks and charm, while putting an earnest effort into learning the ropes of being an equitation horse. He had a terrific first season, making an epic debut in the Intermediate and Open fences divisions, and is a favorite draw at shows.
"King"
King is a 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by former team member Mady Burger. Standing at a stout 17.2 hands, King hails originally from Ireland, and did primarily fox hunting and jumping until the age of six, when he was imported to the US to train as a jumper in Florida. After working the circuit for a few years, he was sold and switched to the eventing discipline. He joined the team in the fall of 2015 and has since then won everyone over with his good looks and charm, while putting an earnest effort into learning the ropes of being an equitation horse. He had a terrific first season, making an epic debut in the Intermediate and Open fences divisions, and is a favorite draw at shows.
Twist of Fate
"Twist"
Twist is a 2002 16.3 hand Friesian Sport Horse mare owned by Kathy Wilson, a client of Kat's who generously allows Twist be used by the team. Twist is a kind, fun and athletic mare who is straightforward enough to be piloted by our beginner riders and talented enough over fences for our more advanced riders. She is a favorite draw for Open Fences and has excelled in the IHSA show ring. We are so grateful to have her as one of our mounts!
"Twist"
Twist is a 2002 16.3 hand Friesian Sport Horse mare owned by Kathy Wilson, a client of Kat's who generously allows Twist be used by the team. Twist is a kind, fun and athletic mare who is straightforward enough to be piloted by our beginner riders and talented enough over fences for our more advanced riders. She is a favorite draw for Open Fences and has excelled in the IHSA show ring. We are so grateful to have her as one of our mounts!
Marco Polo
"Polo"
Polo is a 2008 Thoroughbred gelding. He is a young horse that Kat and Jose rescued when he failed as a polo pony. Although nervous on the ground and slow to trust at times, Polo has truly thrived since joining the USC program. He has made rapid strides in his training, successfully debuted in the IHSA show ring and is quickly becoming one of the team's favorite mounts, willingly taking even our most novice riders around a course of jumps.
"Polo"
Polo is a 2008 Thoroughbred gelding. He is a young horse that Kat and Jose rescued when he failed as a polo pony. Although nervous on the ground and slow to trust at times, Polo has truly thrived since joining the USC program. He has made rapid strides in his training, successfully debuted in the IHSA show ring and is quickly becoming one of the team's favorite mounts, willingly taking even our most novice riders around a course of jumps.
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Pele
Biography coming soon! |
My Cousin Vinny
"Vinny"
Vinny is a 2002 KWPN gelding owned and kindly loaned to the team by Stephanie Haney. Prior to joining our program, Vinny enjoyed a successful career on the show circuit competing in the junior hunter and equitation rings. Good-natured, smooth and fun to ride over fences, he is a blast for our more advanced riders, but also doubles as a patient teacher for our beginning riders on the flat.
"Vinny"
Vinny is a 2002 KWPN gelding owned and kindly loaned to the team by Stephanie Haney. Prior to joining our program, Vinny enjoyed a successful career on the show circuit competing in the junior hunter and equitation rings. Good-natured, smooth and fun to ride over fences, he is a blast for our more advanced riders, but also doubles as a patient teacher for our beginning riders on the flat.
Up to Date
"Date"
Date is a Warmblood gelding who is owned by Ilene Kurtzman. Joining our program in 2018, Date has quickly become a team favorite among riders of all levels with his gentle personality and easy way of going. A proven winner in all three rings, Date's show record spans from the Grand Prix jumpers, to, more recently, the three-foot hunter divisions. After making his IHSA show debut in 2018, he has quickly become a coveted draw!
"Date"
Date is a Warmblood gelding who is owned by Ilene Kurtzman. Joining our program in 2018, Date has quickly become a team favorite among riders of all levels with his gentle personality and easy way of going. A proven winner in all three rings, Date's show record spans from the Grand Prix jumpers, to, more recently, the three-foot hunter divisions. After making his IHSA show debut in 2018, he has quickly become a coveted draw!
Camillo
"Milo"
Milo is a 6 year old, 16 hand Warmblood gelding, graciously loaned to the team Ashlee Bond and Little Valley Farms. A tremendous jumping talent with an equally amazing personality, Milo is a Grand Prix prospect who has successfully competed in the 5-year old jumper divisions. He is sure to make a successful splash in his IHSA show ring debut, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a fun and athletic young horse.
"Milo"
Milo is a 6 year old, 16 hand Warmblood gelding, graciously loaned to the team Ashlee Bond and Little Valley Farms. A tremendous jumping talent with an equally amazing personality, Milo is a Grand Prix prospect who has successfully competed in the 5-year old jumper divisions. He is sure to make a successful splash in his IHSA show ring debut, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a fun and athletic young horse.
Avanti
Avanti is a 17.1 hand Hanoverian gelding owned by Kanda Farrar, who generously loaned him to our team in 2016. A seasoned show horse (also known colloquially as our team's "unicorn"), Avanti brings years of experience in the hunters and equitation to our program, making him a wonderful and popular mount among beginner and advanced riders alike. While content with cuddles and treats on the ground, Avanti also loves to compete, and his comfortable gaits have made him a favorite draw at competitions.
Avanti is a 17.1 hand Hanoverian gelding owned by Kanda Farrar, who generously loaned him to our team in 2016. A seasoned show horse (also known colloquially as our team's "unicorn"), Avanti brings years of experience in the hunters and equitation to our program, making him a wonderful and popular mount among beginner and advanced riders alike. While content with cuddles and treats on the ground, Avanti also loves to compete, and his comfortable gaits have made him a favorite draw at competitions.
