Melissa brings over 30 years of equestrian experience and a deep-rooted passion for horses to Equestrianly. Growing up in New York State, her equestrian journey began with riding lessons before she transitioned to 4-H. With 4-H, she embraced a diverse range of activities including hunter paces, competitive trail riding, hunter and equitation showing, and countless hours of trail riding for pleasure.
At the age of 14, Melissa bought her first horse, Joe Peppy Bars, a 7-year-old, 16-hand quarter horse. A miscommunication between her parents led to Joe joining the family, creating a bond that lasted 16.5 years. Together, they reached new heights, jumping up to 4 feet in the jumper ring and enjoying many trail rides. Their connection was unbreakable; throughout their time together, Melissa never experienced a fall from Joe. They were soulmates. Their journey was temporarily paused when Melissa attended Mount Holyoke College and joined the IHSA riding team, though she came home to him ever chance she got, but their bond remained strong until Joe's passing at 24 years old.
After taking some time away from riding, Melissa returned to the equestrian world through polo, first in New York and then in California. Despite enjoying the sport for 7 years, she missed the jumping world and bought her second horse, Casimir, a 4-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred. Tragically, she lost Casimir to a severe case of colic less than a year later. It took time for Melissa to heal, but leasing another OTTB named Uno, who she taught to kiss, allowed her to open her heart to horses again.
In her professional career, Melissa has demonstrated exceptional project management skills, overseeing projects up to $1 billion in the highly regulated rail industry. She has managed internal spend for a tech company, gaining in-depth knowledge of technology, and has handled contracts and accounting across various businesses. Combining her extensive equestrian background and professional expertise, Melissa identified numerous pain points within the equestrian community from a business perspective and created Equestrianly.
Melissa’s vision for Equestrianly is not only to revolutionize the equestrian community by enhancing connectivity and management but also to give back to the horses she loves. She is committed to promoting non-profits and rescues, with a portion of Equestrianly's profits dedicated to supporting these organizations. Join Melissa and Equestrianly in making a meaningful impact in the equestrian world.
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