Gia Ottaviano

Gia developed her love for horses at the age of 10, when she took up the hobby of horseback riding. This hobby soon turned into a passion and then eventually into a lifestyle.  At age 13, Gia bought her first horse (a “crazy” Arabian mare) that she grew a great bond with. She and her horse grew up together through many enjoyable and successful years in 4-H and other local shows. Not only did Gia enjoy riding her horse, but over the years she trained her to do tricks and pull a cart as well.  Ten years later Gia still shares this bond with her horse.

 Eventually Gia decided to further her love of horses by studying them at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. In 2008, she received her Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Equine Science and Management. During her years at Del Val she learned the essentials of horse breeding and care, as well as business management. She also was an active member in both the hunt seat and stock seat intercollegiate teams, advancing on to regionals and zones numerous years. Gia continues her involvement with the ISHA, riding as an alumni rider for Del Val in both disciplines, as well as competing in local shows with her Holsteiner gelding. Throughout the years, Gia has travelled to many different regions for horse shows including South Carolina, Ohio, Delaware, and more. She has even travelled to AMHA Nationals in Texas in 2007 where she worked for a professional, grooming and handling horses.

Gia competed in the 2008 Western Semi-finals held in North Carolina, riding in the advanced horsemanship rail class. She competed again in 2009 as an alumni rider, winning her reining class in Morehead, KY and advanced onto Nationals in Murfreeseboro, TN.

Now showing as an alumni for Delaware Valley College in the IHSA, Gia successfully competes in the reining and rail classes in western.

e-mail: gottaviano@hotmail.com

Gia competes locally in the hunters/jumpers on her Holsteiner gelding Steel Force aka "Oscar".