Lauren Eisele
Homeward Farm
My name is Lauren Eisele and I am writing you on behalf of Zoe Schiefer, currently a Junior at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas. I have been Zoe’s coach for a year and a half and I feel that she would make a great addition to any NCEA team.
Zoe is currently showing in the 3’6 large juniors, as of November 2018, is moving into the 3’6” equitation with her 8 year old green warmblood gelding. We attended the National Horse Show at the end of the October 2018 for 3’3 medal finals (Hamel Foundation 3’3 Medal). She competes in National Derbies, and has been leasing a variety of horses to gain experience in the jumper ring while riding different horses. Our plan going forward is to lease a jumper at the shows to not only gain experience on different horses in the ring, but to also make her riding more versatile and technical.
Zoe is a very determined rider. She is very competitive and it shows in the ring. She allows the pressures of showing to fuel her fire as opposed to break her down, so I know that she would excel on a college riding level. She is always willing to put in the long hours of hard work at home to create success in the show ring. She is a great listener during lessons and is always respectful. I never have to tell her something more than once and she never makes excuses when outcomes don’t go her way. She is also always willing to ride any horse I ask her to.
In addition to her riding skills, Zoe has great horsemanship. We don’t have a groom at home, so she tacks and untacks herself. At the shows, she is always lending a helpful hand. She helps me feed, unbraid, bathe, clean tack, wrap horses and she knows how to put a bridle together. She doesn’t mind staying late, waking up early to help me or her peers. I believe all these skills will make her a valuable asset to a team environment. She is always a team player and has a great attitude.
Not only does her work ethic show in her riding, but it also shows well in her academic career. We travel often for horse shows and Zoe always has her homework completed before she comes to the show. Zoe’s current GPA is 3.91. She is taking multiple AP and honors classes at a rigorous private school and never complains about the workload. She has won multiple regional awards for her work in honors art. I think that speaks to how well rounded she is! I feel strongly that she is positioning herself well to handle a college academic load along side riding for a NCEA team.
I know that Zoe has sent links to her website and YouTube channel. She is consistently updating content on those sites. If there is anything else we need to be doing at home/shows in order to secure her a spot on your team, I am available and willing to chat on the phone about Zoe. My number is 972-898-1306. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Lauren Eisele
972-898-1306
leisele@triplecrownchirotx.com
Homeward Farm
Jenny Liu
Sophomore AP European History/Honors English Teacher
What an honor it is to write a testimonial for Zoe Schiefer. Zoe was a student in my tenth grade AP European History and Honors English classes last year. From the beginning of the year, she demonstrated a strong work ethic and determination to do her best in both classes while simultaneously training for and participating in numerous equestrian competitions. The course work in both of my classes is rigorous and fast-paced, and Zoe never failed to turn an assignment in on time despite her busy schedule. A quiet, thoughtful student, Zoe showed remarkable growth in my class as she worked hard to improve in the two subjects, English and history, that at the beginning of the year she admittedly felt were her weakest. Her in-class essays, written every two weeks or so on a unit test, went beyond regurgitating memorized facts. Zoe demonstrated deep analytical thinking that fully answered the questions asked, she supported them with relevant facts, and she organized her thoughts into well-written arguments. In fact, towards the end of the year I used one of her essays as an excellent student example and read it aloud to each of my classes so other students could learn from her.
Zoe proved throughout the year that she truly was interested in learning and that she was not afraid of working hard to achieve her goals. In May of each school year, my students may choose to take an optional Advanced Placement European History Exam which covers over 700 years of history and requires students to demonstrate proficiency answering college level objective questions and writing both long and short essays as well as using unfamiliar historical documents to write an analytical essay. This is not a test for the faint-hearted, and Zoe proved to be up to the task. Because of her keen mind and her hard work throughout the year, Zoe earned a 4 (highest possible score is a 5) which only a handful of other students in her class earned. This truly was a significant accomplishment. Because of her high score, Zoe will receive college credit at almost any college or university she attends. I am very proud of her.
In addition to her intelligence and her strong work ethic, Zoe Schiefer is one of the sweetest, kindest, and most respectful young ladies I have ever had the privilege to teach. She does not seek attention for herself, and she always worked well with others in group projects or in small group discussions. She will undoubtedly be an asset to any NCEA Equestrian Team, and it is my joy to wholeheartedly recommend her.
Jenny Liu
Sophomore AP European History/Honors English Teacher
Trinity Christian Academy
Addison, TX
jliu@trinitychristian.org
214-929-9363
Kathy Davidson
Trainer and owner of Starpoint Equestrian Enterprises
I am so pleased to write a testimonial for Zoe Schiefer.
Zoe is a very studious individual, quiet in her manner, and extremely respectful and polite. Zoe is strong in her Faith, and is also absolutely dedicated to Equestrian sports. She likes to be challenged in her riding, and she will work tirelessly to reach a specific goal... and she likes to WIN! She is focused on excellence and pushes herself to be an elite competitor.
I first began working with Zoe when she was 13. As a “graduate” of an iconic school horse program in Dallas, she was already a lovely equitation rider and a fully competent caretaker/groom. Through detailed one-on-one instruction, and a strong, Dressage-based flatwork program, Zoe’s show ring presentation skills and accuracy to distances became very high standard. Zoe and “Elegant Hunter” were judge favorites in the competitive North Texas circuit, regularly Champion/ Reserve in the 2-foot and 2-foot-3 Hunter and Equitation divisions.
Zoe’s rapidly growing skills soon led to finding a new horse that would match Zoe’s rising horse show goals. We set out to find a slightly greener horse with appropriate athleticism, planning to take careful advantage of the education available in the 2’6” and 3-foot divisions, on the way to Zoe’s goal of the 3’6” divisions. We found “Czech Please” and started our journey.
Zoe became a full partner in the training and fitness program of her new, BIG, show horse. She did the majority of over fences training herself during lessons, becoming skilled at planning and executing each exercise for a smooth performance. It wasn’t long before Zoe was doing all schooling rides at shows, as well as competing in the 2’6” Pre Green Hunter division with the Pros. Zoe seamlessly met the challenge of the higher division Equitation on-the-flat classes by regularly finishing top of the class. Zoe and “Czech Please” learned and grew together in my program, winning quite a few classes and division Champions/Reserves in the North Texas circuit, before moving on to a trainer who was more available to travel to bigger shows.
The College Prep Invitational in Tyler, TX (March, 2017) was Zoe’s first time to be involved with the “random draw” horse show system. She excelled at it! The clinician and the judge were both extremely complementary of her ability to hold her position with poise and efficiency on unfamiliar horses. Zoe’s problem solving skills and ability to find reliable distances really shined through with each new partner. Zoe finished Overall 2nd on the flat and 3rd over fences. She loved the challenge of the random draw format and truly rose to the occasion. The NCEA is going to be a perfect place for Zoe’s gifts and talents to bloom.
It has been a tremendous pleasure to be this young lady’s Instructor. She listens carefully to directions, works hard to make changes to her riding, and is calm and cool under pressure. I have watched with great pride as Zoe and “Czech Please” have moved up into the 3-foot Hunters/Medals/Derbies, and now the 3’6”! Zoe Schiefer is a remarkable student, an avid competitor, and she brings a depth of riding knowledge and adaptability that will make her a strong and loyal College teammate.
Kathy Davidson
Trainer and owner of Starpoint Equestrian Enterprises
https://www.facebook.com/Starpoint-Equestrian-Enterprises-244419642307694/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-davidson-49b45748/