Samantha Rothman is the Assistant Trainer and Professional Rider at Stonehaven Farms.

She has been coaching the University of Toledo IHSA Team since the 2021-2022 season along with our farm's IEA Team. She graduated from Lake Erie College with an Equine Teacher Trainer Major and showed in Open Fences and Flat for my 4 undergraduate years. During her freshman and junior year she advanced to IHSA Nationals as her region's Cacchione Rider.

Michael Lenard is a co-founder of Horse Spot, where he serves as CFO and leads the Sales and Customer Success efforts. With nearly two decades of experience in horse show management, Michael brings a deep understanding of the industry. He has managed USEF competitions, is an experienced show secretary, and recently earned his USEF 'r' Jumper Judge license. He's also a lifelong hunter/jumper competitor, with accomplishments up through the 1.40m level, including notable wins at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and in Wellington, FL.

Michael was the captain of his IHSA collegiate equestrian team, leading them to three consecutive Regional Titles and earning multiple top-10 individual finishes at Nationals, including an Individual National Championship in 2010.

Before diving full-time into equestrian tech, Michael built a distinguished career in public accounting and consulting, ultimately serving as Managing Director at a specialized financial consulting firm. He holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accountancy, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a Certified Forensic Examiner.

Today, he's helping modernize horse shows through Horse Spot — a show management platform that handles entries, schedules, results, payments, and more. If you haven't seen it at your show yet, you likely will soon. It's a game-changer for any organizing horse shows and a breath of fresh air compared to the outdated systems we've all had to deal with.

Ifa Simmonds is an equestrian fitness and performance coach with over a decade of experience. He is the founder of the Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA), created to help riders build strong, balanced bodies in and out of the saddle. He helps equestrians improve core strength, balance, and mobility through functional, rider-specific fitness programs. At the core of his training process are four key pillars: stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina. Each pillar is designed to enhance a rider's fitness, position, and communication in the saddle. From trail riders to top-level competitors and coaches, he works across English and Western disciplines, including dressage, eventing, reining, hunter/jumper, and western pleasure. Drawing on certifications in functional fitness, yoga, and Pilates, he weaves these disciplines into EFA to help riders move with greater strength, fluidity, and purpose. A sought-after clinician, writer, and presenter, he shares his expertise with equestrian organizations worldwide and has been featured on platforms like IEA and IHSA.

Website: https://ifafit.com/

Contact Ifa today!

Founder of College Ready and a Certified Educational Consultant, helps families secure top-tier college admissions without debt. A bestselling author, international speaker, and host of Parents, Is Your Teen College Ready?, she combines insider admissions knowledge with financial strategy to create clear, personalized plans. With 17+ years of experience and the proven success of guiding her four children through college debt-free, Shellee now empowers high-achieving students and busy professionals worldwide to approach college with confidence and clarity.

Started riding at age 5 in Lakewood, WA, and began showing in Hunters and Equitation before discovering a passion for jumpers in middle school. In high school, she competed in a variety of English and Western events but ultimately returned to rated Hunter/Jumper shows. She attended Cazenovia College, competing in Hunter Seat, Western, and Dressage, and later served as Western team captain. After graduating in 2023 and completing a training-focused internship, she became an assistant trainer and now coach for the Keiser University Equestrian Program.

Kate Roncarati Paul is the head coach of the Northeastern University Equestrian Team and has led an IEA team since 2018—both heading to nationals this year.

She began as a working student and competed primarily on the local circuit before studying equine science at Mount Ida College, where she captained the IHSA team.

After college, she worked under her former coach, Julie Chandler (Kelly), and returned to Massachusetts in 2017 to rejoin her at Cranberry Acres in Marshfield, MA—now home to both her teams.

This year marks a milestone, with Northeastern making its first-ever appearance at IHSA Nationals.

Lindsay Shaw began riding at the age of 8 with an ever growing passion for the sport and horses. Lindsay attended the Grier School, having the top Interscholastic Equestrian program in the country, from 8th -12th grade and competed in USEF, USDF, and IEA shows with her team. She attended Emory & Henry University in 2020 and competed at IDA and IHSA shows. While at Emory & Henry, Lindsay earned the Female Newcomer Athlete of the Year for the 2020-2021 season and was Champion in First Level at IDA Nationals, helping her team win a national championship in 2024. Lindsay now works at her alma mater, Grier School, as an Admissions and Marketing Associate and Assistant Director of Summer Camp.