University of Pennsylvania Equestrian Team
2022-2023 Roster
Lily Nesvold 739
Co-Captain (previously: Treasurer)
Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Classical Studies major and Economics minor
Riding Experience: On and off since I was 6 years old
IHSA Level: Novice WTC
Fun Facts: I competed in track and field in high school; at one point, I was nationally ranked (#13 in long jump).
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Luke
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Contact me through email at upennequestrian@gmail.com
Sydney Chanen 611
Co-Captain (previously: Lesson Coordinator)
Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Biology
Riding Experience: 13 years
IHSA Level: Intermediate flat and fences
Fun Facts: I played the flute for 10 years and I currently work in cancer biology research!
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Meatball
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Contact me through email at upennequestrian@gmail.com
Isabel Ernst 736
Treasurer (previously: Assistant Treasurer)
Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Wharton
Riding Experience: I grew up showing in the Children’s Hunters and now, outside of IHSA, I show in the 1.15m-1.20m jumpers!
IHSA Level: Open fences and flat
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Major
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Contact me through email at upennequestrian@gmail.com
Vanessa Lu 800
Lesson Coordinator
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Graduation Year: 2026
Major: Cognitive Science and Criminology
Riding Experience: 12 years, showing in equitation and jumpers at 1.10-1.20 meters.
Fun Facts: I have two horses at home: Potato and Master! I won a western riding grand prix when I was 14.
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Irish
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Contact me through email at upennequestrian@gmail.com
Audrey Lehneis 747
Assistant Treasurer
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Undeclared
Riding Experience: 10 years
IHSA Level: Limit flat and Intermediate fences
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Luke
Lyndsey Barrett 732
Social Chair (previously: Assistant Treasurer)
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Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Computer Science
Riding Experience: On and off since I was 5.
IHSA Level: Limit flat and fences
Fun facts: I use to have a pet turkey, and I worked as a barista in high school.
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Irish
Josephine Buccini 733​
Assistant Social Chair
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Art History/Design
Riding Experience: 13 year
IHSA Level: Intermediate flat and fences
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Laya
Fun Facts:
- I have alpacas.
- I have a horse named Coco at home!
Olivia Bruyn
Graduation Year: December 2022
Major: Perelman School of Medicine, Public Health
Riding Experience: 16+ years
Fun Facts:
- I have been swimming in a lake with a horse before.
- I have ridden horses in 6 countries.
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Meatball
Haichen Rong 687
Graduation Year: 2022
Major: Physics and Philosophy
Riding Experience: WTC, beginner of jumping and barrel racing
IHSA Level: Novice WTC
Fun Facts:
- I’m a licensed skydiver.
- Also, I can read Latin.
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Major
Xiao Xiao
Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Finance/Marketing & Operations Management
Riding Experience: Riding on and off for 6 years
Current IHSA Level: Limit flat and fences
Fun Facts:
- Enjoy watching Italian soccer league Serie A (favorite team: AC Milan).
- Play Go in free time.
Emilee Gu
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Philosophy Politics Economics (PPE)
Riding Experience: Beginner
IHSA Level: Walk/Trot
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Sally
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Kexin Zhang
Graduation Year: December 2023
Major: GSE TESOL (M.S.Ed.)
Riding Experience: On and off for 5 years
Fun Facts:
- Love animals and I am always my friends’ best pet foster choice ;)
- I bet it is sunny outside.
Laura Avilés 802
Graduation Year: 2026
Major: Linguistics
Riding Experience: Beginner
IHSA Level: Walk/Trot
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Jackson
Fun Facts:
- I have an 800+ streak in Duolingo.
- Lin Manuel’s uncle was my pastor.
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Angelina Wong
Graduation Year: 2026
Major: Computer Science
Riding Experience: Riding for 11 years and did IEA in high school
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Irish
Fun Facts:
I play competitive classical piano and speak fluent Spanish!
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Yan Chen (Casy)
Graduation Year: 2023
Major: GSE, Intercultural Communication
Riding Experience: Walk, Trot, Canter
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Rocky and Bird! Can’t decide
Bibiana Tsang
Graduation Year: 2023
Major: MA, East Asian Languages and Civilisations
Riding Experience: 2 years
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Bridgette and Winnie!
Fun Facts: I love the poet John Keats. We are the same height (for real).
Carola Agostini 731
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Communications
Riding Experience: ~8 years
IHSA Level: Pre-Novice WTC
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Bird
Fun Facts: I draw and I sing.
Emma Shellenberger 801
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Political Science and East Asian Languages and Civilizations
Riding Experience: Western as a child and Dressage during my senior year of high school
IHSA Level: Walk/Trot
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Sally
Fun Facts: I love Pokémon. I have pet rats and I love them.
Jiwen Fan
Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Weitzman School of Design, Historic Preservation (Architecture Conservation)
Riding Experience: Completely new to riding!
Favorite Horse at Northwestern: Otis