The Team

Our president this year is Madeline Bone! She is a 3rd year Equine Science student at CSU, and this is her 3rd year on the team. She grew up in El Reno, Oklahoma on a ranch where her family showed American Quarter Horses in cow horse and roping events. She competed in the 2018 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development program where she acquired her horse "Annie" (Miss Mattie Freeman), who will accompany her on the team this year. Madeline spent her first two years on the Ranch Horse Team as a non-riding member and served as the teams treasurer last year. She joined the Ranch Horse Team as a freshman hoping to learn more about Versatility Ranch Horse events, and develop both her horsemanship and professional skills. Fun fact about Madeline is that she is also pursuing a degree in chemistry and hopes to one day attend CSU's veterinary school!
 

Lily Thomas is serving as this years vice president! Lily is a Junior at CSU majoring in animal science. Her hometown is Niwot, Colorado where she grew up as an active member in both 4H and FFA. Lily is accompanied on the team by her horse Westley, who she received though the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program in 2019. Lily chose to join the CSU Ranch Horse Team after transferring from Texas Tech because she was looking for an opportunity to develop her professional skills in the ranch horse world. Lilly also competed with the team at the 2024 NRCHA Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, Texas with her horse Diva. Lily's background in both horse and livestock showing, as well as leadership skills gained in 4H and FFA have allowed Lily to have a positive impact on the team!

Elise Oswald is serving as our 2024-2025 secretary! Elsie is sophomore at CSU majoring in Livestock Business Management. Elsie is accompanied by her horse Dazzle and is going into her second year on the Ranch Horse Team. Elsie is from Brighton, Colorado and been riding for 11 years. She has shown many of these years at both the Adam's County fair and the Colorado State Fair. In fact, Elsie was awarded the title of 2024 Adam's County Rodeo Queen! Elsie decided to join the CSU Ranch Horse Team after attending various ranch horse shows and clinics through Adam's County 4H, and chose to pursue it at the collegiate level. Elsie is a true legacy student as both her parents attended CSU as well as her twin sister who is studying psychology!

Riley Robertson is our 2024-2025 Treasurer! Riley is a junior at CSU studying Animal Science, and has been a member of the Ranch Horse Team for two years. Her hometown is John Day, Oregon where she grew up rodeoing and showing horses throughout her life. Riley was also given the title of the 2022 Grant County Fair and Rodeo Queen! She chose to join the Ranch Horse Team because she believes it is an amazing organization that fosters long lasting friendships as well as develop horsemanship skills among its members in a competitive but supportive environment. She is joined on the team by her horse Ducky (Smokin Colored Chex), who she began showing last season and had a very successful first year. Riley's greatest ambition is to compete in the Olympics in pickleball!

Liz French is serving as the team's sentinel this year! Liz is a junior at CSU studying Animal Science and has been an active member of the CSU Ranch Horse Team for two years. She is from Longmont, Colorado and has ridden horses for 15 years, showing at open show and 4H at the county, state, and regional level. She says her greatest accomplishment above all the ribbons, is gentling and training her mustang Stitch! Liz chose to join the Ranch Horse Team to learn more about the discipline while having an outlet for collegiate competition. She wanted to be apart of a community with similar interests and passions. Outside of the Ranch Horse Team, Liz is also a member in multiple CSU clubs such as the Ram Country Dance Club and the Outdoors Club. She also serves as secretary for the Boulder County Horse Association. Fun fact about Liz is that she loves all outdoor activity, and plans to take her horse on a multi-night camping trip!

Introducing Clara Tracy  as our 2024 fundraising chair! Clara is a 4th year student at CSU. This year marks Clara's second year on the Ranch Horse Team. Clara also represented CSU at this years NRCHA Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, Texas!