Lori Cramer

EQ Director/Coach

Originally from New Jersey, Lori graduated from The University of Findlay with an undergraduate degree in Business and Equine Studies and a Masters in Business Administration. She was formerly the Director of English Equestrian Studies at The University of Findlay where in her four year stay the team accomplished the title of national champions and two reserve national championships, and finished in the top five all four years. She had the opportunity to coach The Ohio State Hunt Seat team where they finished first in their region and rallied to the finish at zones. Lori is entering her fourth year of coaching at Miami where she has helped numerous riders secure individual regional and national titles. She currently is the Zone 6 Intercollegiate chair and holds a position on the marketing committee for the USHJA.

Heather Pinnick

EQ Associate Director/Coach

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Heather is a graduate of The University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Science and Biology as well as a Masters of Education degree. She comes to Miami from The University of Findlay where she was an instructor and Assistant Coach of the 2004-2005 nationally ranked IHSA team. Heather is beginning her fifth year teaching at Miami and has coached several riders to regional and national titles. She is also the IHSA Zone 6, Region 3 Regional President.

Beth Akers

EQ Asst. Director/Coach

An alumnus of Miami University, Beth is in her sixth year teaching at Miami. Prior to returning to her alma mater, Beth showed competitively in the AQHA arena with multiple futurity championships, ROM’s, and Congress Top Ten Placings. She holds judges cards in OH, IN, KY, and POA. Beth coached the Miami University Horse Judging team to a 2006 Reserve National Championship and 5th placings score at the 2007 All American Quarter Horse Congress. She coaches the western team in Intercollegiate competition as well as in off site shows.

Leslie Coen

Team President

As president, Leslie is in charge of making sure that things run smoothly and also to facilitate communication between the exec, the team, the coaches, and the larger affected community.

Leslie Coen is a Senior here at Miami and rides in the open horsemanship and reining divisions for the Western team and is also involved in the Judging team. Leslie has been riding 17 years and has competed in both the quarter horse and paint circuits. Leslie is passionate about MUET and can't wait to start another amazing year with such great teammates and coaches!

Anna Paraskos

Vice President - English

As the vice president for the English team, Anna is in charge of preparing and running successful horse shows throughout the year.

Anna is from Columbus. She is a senior zoology major, and rides on the Hunt Seat team. She loves being on the team, and can't wait for another amazing year!

Diana Kroll

Vice President - Western

As the western vice president, Diana will be in charge of running all home shows along with the english vice president. Diana Kroll is a senior zoology major from Shelby Twp., Michigan. She plans to attend veterinary school after graduation and specialize in large animal medicine. She has been riding for 13 years and previously showed successfully with her high school equestrian team. She now rides on both the Western and Hunt Seat Team, and competes with the Judging Team. Diana is really excited to start the new season and have some fun with her teammates.

Mary Forster

Secretary

The secratary is in charge of attendance to all team activities, setting up team meeting times and locations, and the team banquet and formal.

Mary Forster is a sophomore, marketing major from Columbus, IN. She has been riding for 11 years and was very involved in 4-H before MUET. She enjoys riding on the western team and is really excited for another great year.

Kelly Herdman

Fundraising Coord.

As the Fundraising Coordinator for the team, Kelly is in charge of all fundraising activites, including organizing sponsorships and coordinating donations to the team.

Kelly Herdman is a Nursing major from Solon, OH. She has been riding for 10 years both hunters and jumpers, competes with the team on the hunt seat and jumping team. Kelly is so happy to have the opportunity to ride with the team, and is looking forward to another fantastic year with MUET!

Abbey String

Travel Director

Abbey is a Junior zoology major. She is from Chagrin Falls Ohio where she has been riding horses for 18 years. She has competed in mostly Hunters and has some experience in eventing. Abbey is on the Intermediate hunt seat team. She loves being on MUET and cannot wait for the upcoming season to be a great success!

Valerie Nesser

Webmaster

Valerie is a senior zoology/pre-vet major from Columbus, Ohio. She has been riding for two years. Being on the Miami Equestrian Team has been the best part of her experience at Miami!

Ashley Roche

Public Relations

Ashley Roche, recently known as Bug to MUET, is a junior at Miami University. She plans on double majoring with Microbiology and Life Science Education to possibly enter a career in teaching biology at the High School level. Bug is extremely excited for this coming season, while she keeps busy with the Western, Hunt Seat and Judging Teams. She believes that trying out for the Equestrian Team has been one of the best decisions that she has made at Miami University.

Kat Gitz

Treasurer

Kat is a junior zoology major and philosophy minor from Columbus, Ohio. She plans to apply to medical school after Miami. Kat has been riding for 14 years and competes in the novice fences and intermediate flat divisions for the team. Kat has been riding for 14 years and has absolutely loved the past three years with the team!

Ashlee Ernst

Bookkeeper

Ashlee Ernst is a junior business major from Reno, Nevada. She shows in the open reining and horsemanship divisions for the team, as well as being a memeber of the judging team. Ashlee has been riding for the past twelve years and has been showing Arabian horses for the past 8 years. She is looking forward to another fun and exciting year with MUET!