Meet the Execs

Captain: Shannon Roska 

I am a senior neurobiology major preparing to attend veterinary school, in hopes of becoming an equine veterinarian.  Horses became a part of my life at the age of 2, and my riding career began at age 4.  I started out in Western, but quickly moved to Hunters.  This is my third year on the team, riding in Intermediate Flat and Novice Fences.  The team is a great part of my college career, and I cannot imagine the past couple of years without it.  I am excited to meet the new members and hope that this experience will be as great for them as it is for me! 

Assistant Captain: Kirby Warner

Hi Everyone!  My name is Kirby and I have been riding under instruction since I was 10 
years old and have continued for the past 11 years.  I started out competing in 
hunter/jumpers, then went on to barrel racing and other gymkhana games, 
eventing, and now I am currently showing and training in dressage. I 
have a 15-year-old Appaloosa-Thoroughbred that is not only the love of 
my life, but he is the most loyal man you will ever meet. We have been 
through a lot together and he has made me a better rider.  The team has provided me with a lot of great friends and riding experience.  I am very passionate about teaching others to ride and fall in love with the sport like I have.  I am very excited for the upcoming show season and cannot wait to get our riders in the arena to represent UW-Madison!  Go Bucky Equestrians, Teach 'em how to ride. 

President: Taylor Petry

I am a Junior majoring in Art with a concentration in photography and Communication Arts with an emphasis in Radio, Television & Film. I have been riding since I was seven years old, and my riding background includes Equitation, Hunters, and Jumpers. I owned my own horse for over five years, and showed in short stirrup, pre-childrens, childrens, and then finally multiple jumpers divisions. I love riding on the team because it exposes me to different kinds of horses, all with their own personalities and temperaments, which helps me better myself as a rider. I've made a lot of great friends that I will have for a long time through UWET, and to me, our team is like my second family. This will be my third year on the riding team, and I look forward to meeting new members of our family!

Vice President: Michelle Clarbour

I am a junior planning on majoring in secondary education biology and chemistry. This is my thrid year as a rider on the team and I am competing in the novice level. I ride english for the team and then western on my own. I have competed in hunters through IHSA and cattle sorting/penning with friends and family throughout this past summer. I half lease a quarter horse gelding named Bently who is at a stable back home where I am also a trail guide during the summer. I am very excited to get this show season going and cannot wait to meet all the new members!   

Treasurer: Janeann Monson

My name is JaneAnn Monson, I am a sophomore business major and the treasurer of the riding team for the 2011-2012 school year.  I grew up on a horse farm and have been riding for over 13 years in many different disciplines including hunters, polo and fox hunting.  Besides riding horses I spend my time skiing, watching movies and traveling.   

Show Chair: Jennifer Peotter

Hi, I am Jennifer Peotter and I am one of the show chairs.  I have been riding for 14 years now and have shown mostly in hunters and some dressage on the schooling level.  I currently have a Palomino mare who loves to jump as much as I do.  I am very excited to be on the board this year and think that it will be another good year for the team! 

Show Chair: Cassie Pilarski

I am a sophomore intending on becoming a high school Biology/Human Physiology and Anatomy teacher. I am currently working on majoring in Biology and then applying to the School of Education. I have been in love with horses since I was 3 years old and by joining the team I have finally been allowed to begin competing. I am currently a trail guide in Delavan, WI for the summer, which allows me to ride year round. Before the team, I did western lessons and trail rides, but the team has taught me hunt seat, which I like the best! I am currently showing in Advanced WTC and will hopefully move into Novice sometime this season.

Fundraising Chair: Melissa Eischens

Hi I’m Melissa Eischens and this is my second year on the team. I am going to school for Retailing and hope to be a Territory Manager for a business or work in a corporate setting. I am one of the 2011-2012 Fundraising Chairs and look forward to meeting everybody. I started riding horses at my neighbors when I was about 6 years old and haven’t had an official lesson until last year.  I basically learned how to hold on and not get thrown off! My first year showing was very successful and I got the chance to go to Kentucky with our team where I placed 10^th in Walk-Trot and our team placed 9^th which was a huge accomplishment. I will be pointing out into Walk Trot Canter sometime this year.

Promotional Chair: Brittany Tubbs

I am a junior majoring in animal science with hopes of one day attending veterinary school and becoming an equine veterinarian (or at least some job that will support my horse habit!). I have a love of all animals, but horses have been a major part of my life since I started taking formal riding lessons at age 10. I started in Hunter/Jumpers but for the past 10 years I have dabbled in western riding, dressage and eventing as well. This is my 3rd year on the team and I recently pointed up into Novice flat and fences . This is also my second year as a promotional chair, and with this past experience I hope to bring some more publicity for the team as well as create some great social events for team bonding this year. I am very excited to meet the new members and having another successful year on the team! 

Webmaster: Molly Reich

I am a junior majoring in Journalism.  I'm from Bronxville, NY - a small suburb about 20 minutes outside of NYC.  I have been riding for twelve years and showing for the past seven years.  I've owned and leased a few horses who I have shown mainly in the Childrens/Adult hunters, but I have also shown in the Eq and Jumpers.  This summer I leased one of my trainers sale horses and spent most of my summer showing up at HITS Saugerties in the Adult Hunters.  This is my second year riding for Wisconsin, but my third year showing with IHSA since I transferred to the UW my sophomore year.  I show Open o/f and Intermediate flat.  I'm looking forward to another great season!  Ride like a badger!