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.
Très Chic
"Bella"
Bella is a 1997 warmblood mare standing at 16.2 hands. Bella was generously loaned to the team by the Green family. She was a star junior hunter before joining the USC team and is now the princess of our barn. When Bella isn't being pampered, she helps team riders of all levels gain confidence and experience. Although she has a sassy side, she is one of the most talented and athletic horses in our barn and is a straightforward ride. She made her IHSA debut in 2013 in the Open and Intermediate divisions and was a show favorite!
"Bella"
Bella is a 1997 warmblood mare standing at 16.2 hands. Bella was generously loaned to the team by the Green family. She was a star junior hunter before joining the USC team and is now the princess of our barn. When Bella isn't being pampered, she helps team riders of all levels gain confidence and experience. Although she has a sassy side, she is one of the most talented and athletic horses in our barn and is a straightforward ride. She made her IHSA debut in 2013 in the Open and Intermediate divisions and was a show favorite!
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, and has put in an earnest effort 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, and has put in an earnest effort 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, who is owned by Kathy Wilson, a client of Kat's who generously lets Twist be used by the team. Twist is a fun and athletic mare who is easy enough for 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, who is owned by Kathy Wilson, a client of Kat's who generously lets Twist be used by the team. Twist is a fun and athletic mare who is easy enough for 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 in 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 in 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.
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.
Corofino
"Enzo"
Enzo is a 16.3 hand Warmblood gelding, loaned to the team by Andrea Bernstein. A former show horse with a wealth of experience in the hunter and equitation disciplines, he joined our program in 2017. Enzo has quickly endeared himself to the team with his patient demeanor and sweet personality, which make him a beloved mount our more novice riders.
"Enzo"
Enzo is a 16.3 hand Warmblood gelding, loaned to the team by Andrea Bernstein. A former show horse with a wealth of experience in the hunter and equitation disciplines, he joined our program in 2017. Enzo has quickly endeared himself to the team with his patient demeanor and sweet personality, which make him a beloved mount our more novice riders.
Avanti
"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, he also loves to compete, and his comfortable gaits have made him a favorite draw at competitions.
"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, he also loves to compete, and his comfortable gaits have made him a favorite draw at competitions.
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!
Wilson
Wilson is a 15.2 hand Thoroughbred gelding, generously loaned to the team by Duncan McIntosh. Prior to coming to our program, Wilson had a successful career in the jumpers and participated in local IEL competitions with a number of riders. A very kind and uncomplicated ride who loves to please, Wilson made a successful IHSA debut in 2017 and has quickly made a name for himself.
Wilson is a 15.2 hand Thoroughbred gelding, generously loaned to the team by Duncan McIntosh. Prior to coming to our program, Wilson had a successful career in the jumpers and participated in local IEL competitions with a number of riders. A very kind and uncomplicated ride who loves to please, Wilson made a successful IHSA debut in 2017 and has quickly made a name for himself.
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, Cody 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, Cody 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.
