“It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Reade Conant for your collegiate riding team. I have had the privilege of teaching and coaching Reade for over five years, and during that time, I have watched her grow into a compassionate, capable, and dedicated horsewoman.
Reade’s journey with horses began long before she joined my program full time. I truly believe she was born with a love of horses in her heart. She and her younger sister first came to me for lunge line lessons when they were tiny—pink cowboy boots and all—building an early foundation in balance, confidence, and communication with horses. After spending several years abroad in Europe, Reade returned to my barn with a remarkable sense of maturity and purpose.
Throughout her riding career, Reade has never had what one might call a ‘push-button’ horse. In fact, she has had her fair share of challenging horses and inevitable disappointments—something no one escapes in this sport. Each mount she has worked with has presented unique lessons, and she has met every one of them with patience, empathy, and quiet determination. That resilience and adaptability have shaped her into a thoughtful rider with a deep desire to understand how to bring out the best in each horse she rides. For Reade, it’s clear she loves the entire process—she would sleep in the stall with her horse if we’d let her.
Reade’s primary focus in the show ring has been the hunters and jumpers, where she has shown tremendous growth and consistency. More recently, we’ve begun venturing into the equitation, where I believe Reade will truly shine. Her natural feel, attention to detail, and strong sense of horsemanship make her a perfect fit for the precision and polish the equitation ring demands. I often say she’s one of my favorite students to teach because it’s like downloading information directly into her—she absorbs everything and immediately applies it. She also remembers every detail of what happened and how to improve it next time, a quality that’s rare and invaluable in a rider.
What truly sets Reade apart, above all else, is her genuine love for the horses. Their well-being always comes before her own goals or desires. She is one of the most caring and conscientious students I have ever had the privilege to teach—always willing to lend a hand to a fellow rider or quietly take on the unglamorous work that keeps a barn running smoothly. There’s truly no barn task Reade would consider beneath her, and if it were up to her, she’d be at the barn 24/7.
Reade is a coach’s dream—teachable, humble, and motivated. She is respected by her peers and trusted by every horse she rides. I have no doubt she will be a positive, hardworking, and inspiring addition to your team.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like any additional information about her abilities or character.”
~ Philippa Melski, Owner and Head Trainer, Flipside Horses, [email protected], 503-516-4965
“As a horse trainer and coach, it’s interesting to see the similarities between a successful horse and a successful rider. Both horse and rider must be brave, strong and independent. At the same time, they must be willing to work together as a team for a common goal. They must be eager and willing to learn and grasp and retain Information. Be willing to keep trying and appreciate the hard work that’s necessary to reach their goals and they must have a deep understanding and respect for each other.
Reade embodies all these characteristics. She is a strong, compassionate rider who will be an excellent addition to any team. Reade ‘s drive for excellence mixed with her compassion for all makes her a great leader and team player. Reade is an asset to any program and an amazing human!”
~ Kristen Whiteside -Trainer Flipside Horses, Wilsonville OR
“Reade Conant is one of the most accomplished, dedicated, and gifted students in her sophomore class at Jesuit High School. She is simply extraordinary as she readily achieves excellence in all that she undertakes. More importantly, she is an engaging, mature, others-focused individual who is committed to utilizing her enormous gifts to lift others and serve the broader world.
Reade is the exemplifies of the kind of individual that we demand from our student body, given her outstanding academic credentials, relentless work ethic, dedicated commitment to service initiatives, and exemplary character.
Our objective at Jesuit High School is to develop graduates who understand the big picture, demonstrate an uncommon concern for the poor and marginalized, have a deep sense of community, and aspire to be leaders who live and act as “Women and Men for Others”. We challenge our students to grow into creative, dependable, committed, and passionate individuals capable of making contributions, large and small, to broader communities and who are driven by a sense of social justice, compassion and integrity. Reade Conant is the epitome of the kind of student that we aspire to form.
Reade and I have developed a close relationship as she regularly swings by my office for informal conversation and warm fellowship throughout the academic year. I am never disappointed. I am floored by her poise, maturity, respectful manner, and humility. She is always joyful and exudes energy. She is a special individual who is a blessing in my life.
While many adjectives would describe Reade well, I would suggest the following are most appropriate: gifted, thoughtful, intelligent, committed, driven, accountable, curious, humble, articulate, personable, joyful, energizing, composed, dependable, ambitious, competitive, optimistic, intentional, empathetic, organized, dedicated, and compassionate. She is a young woman of unusual character and unlimited potential. She possesses remarkable self-discipline and drive and is the essence of a community builder wherever she goes. Reade is beloved by her classmates and admired by our faculty and staff.
Her academic accomplishments are outstanding (4.00 weighted and unweighted GPA), she shares her special gifts with the Jesuit family as a lector at our weekly community Mass celebration, is a member of our Cantoria Choir, and of our Varsity Track team.
She has thrived along so many dimensions at Jesuit: academically, socially, athletically, and spiritually. As incredible as her tangible accomplishments have been, I can simply tell you that she is an even better person. We are honored to have Reade Conant as a member of the Jesuit High School community. I cannot wait to see what she will achieve at Jesuit and beyond in the years ahead!”
~ Thomas D. Arndorfer, President, Jesuit High School, Beaverton, OR
“I have represented the United States in competition throughout much of my equestrian life. I consider this to be one of my greatest honors. To have been ranked in the top ten in the world, selected a gold winning Olympic team for the 2004 Athens Games, teaching riding clinics internationally, serving politically on various committees within the sport, I feel confident with my eye and intuition, not only for talent, but for the quality and depth of an individual, in general. It is uncommon for me to witness these qualities within younger riders on the newer side of their careers and live. My experiences and training with Reade renew faith in me, that our future is indeed bright, and she is someone I will hope to see representing us well in her endeavors ahead so long as she wishes. She has shown grace, resilience, determination, kindness, and grit, to name a few. One gets to know a person well, by the way they handle challenge, whether that be external or internal. I appreciate her ability to focus and to act within a challenge, not only after with the luxury of time and reflection, but in the actual moment. This is something sport can help us learn- actionability. She is a top choice for any program worthy of her consideration. She likely would become a key asset given time and appropriate direction. I look forward to seeing her progression and I will proudly stand by her side anytime.”
~ Raymond Texel, Texel Equestrian, Sebastopol, CA