Wilmington, Ohio – The final Wilmington Sunday Spotlight of the 2025 Spring/Summer Series shines on Haylee Moore of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Haylee is a frequent competitor at WEC in both the hunter and jumper rings, and most recently rode to victory in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby with her Clooney Lb. We caught up with Haylee to learn more about her journey in the sport, her time at the University of Findlay and her future goals!
WEC: How did you get started riding?
My mom grew up riding and got my sister and me into it early. I sat on a pony at three, started lessons at six, and began showing around 2017. We live in Northeast Indiana, near Fort Wayne, and now we have a ten-stall barn at home and trailer to our trainer’s. I love having the horses at home, I couldn’t have it any other way.
WEC: Tell us about your academic and riding experience at Findlay.
I am sophomore at the University of Findlay, and I’m on the IHSA team there. I am majoring in English Equestrian and Pre-Vet. I’ve loved it. Our coach Brittany Friesner has been amazing. I am at the show with her this week. She welcomed me right in and obviously helped me to win the derby this week. And my childhood trainer Deborah Lapham also deserves credit for everything I’ve learned!
WEC: Tell me about your partnership with Clooney.
It started rough! I couldn’t get a lead change for years. Once we got it, he has been so simple. He knows his job and he knows he is handsome! It has been so rewarding getting to show and win on one that I made myself.
WEC: How has WEC been beneficial in developing your partnership with Clooney?
It has been amazing. It is great for all of the horses. You can school every night, which is so helpful for the young ones. Almost all of the horses that I have had were green. The environment here is so positive. We love the people, the rings and the facility.
WEC: What are your future plans academically and riding-wise?
As of right now, I am on the Pre-Vet track. If the horses and that collide, I will choose the horses. I do eventually want to go professional. I will hopefully get a bigger jumper soon, so that will push me one step further to that goal. I have been leasing a horse from Findlay this summer. We did the 1.10m, and this one should take me to the 1.20m hopefully!
WEC: What’s your favorite thing about the sport?
The obvious answer is that I love the horses. But I really like pressure. I like being held to a standard of what I need to get done. And I love competition, but mostly I just love the animals.