MEET THE TEAM
2023 COMPETITORS
Carolyn Molzer
Carolyn is currently serving as an intelligence officer at Fort Campbell, KY. She has been in the Army for a little over 10 years and truly loves it! She started as a field artillery officer and then transitioned to military intelligence. She states that she has met some amazing horsemen/women through the military and has seen first hand what this sport can do for those who might be struggling. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Carolyn with us for this year's event.
Kylie Perrine-Foran
Kylie has served in the United States Army for over 16 years, with one tour to Iraq in 2009. She continues to serve both in a civilian capacity and military capacity. She is a doctorate student and hopes to use her education to assist female veteran small business owners. We are honored to have Kylie as a part of this event for the second year.
Michael Suzuki
Michael is a 24 year retired Chief Navy Diver. Michael is currently a civilian employee working at the US Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach Florida. Michael is the only sibling to join the Navy of a family of Army veterans. This is his SECOND year to join us for the Heroes Horsemanship Challenge, and this year he has encouraged his wife to join the fun! We are grateful to have Michael and his wife with us this year!
Jaret Whitt
Jaret is 25 years old and has served in the Marine Corps for 4 years in an infantry unit. Jaret states that he loves to be outdoors camping and hunting. We are so excited to see Jaret compete!
Denise Futch
Denise is an Air Force Veteran who served 4 years as a Medic at McGuire AFB, NJ. This is where Denise got into riding and working with rescues. Since then, Denise and her Arabian moved to Gainesville, she joined the AF reserves, and started nursing school. Once Denise is an RN, she plans to get more involved in the horse world and try to show, although she is still undecided on the discipline. We hope Denise will add Horsemanship to the repertoire permanently after this year's event!
Jessica Chambless
Jessica is a Sergeant in the Air National Guard joining us for the first time for the challenge this year. Jessica is one of our more experience rider in the field of competitors, so we will be looking to her to help her teammates along! We are looking forward to cheering Jessica on!
Kristin Lyn Watts
Kristin spent 13 years in the Army, and is the mother of 2 boys. She is an Army Reserve Career Counselor, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have her with us for the 2023 event!
Mellissa Suzuki
Mellissa is the wife of a retired Chief Navy Diver - Michael, one of our other competitors tonight - and mom to US Navy Operation Specialist. Melissa has three sons and three daughters and 5 amazing grandchildren. We couldn’t be happier to have Mellissa joining us this year alongside her husband!
Kaylee McKee
Kaylee is an Army Reservist who states that the Army gave her a bigger purpose and has strengthened her for life's challenges. Her husband was medically retired from the Army after his deployment to Iraq in 2016. Kaylee is joining us for the first time for the Heroes Horsemanship challenge and we are so honored to have her with us!
Thomas C. Richardson
Thomas joins us tonight as an Army Retired Colonel with 32 years of service. Thomas is a Vietnam era vet and Desert Storm vet. He comes from a military upbringing, with his father having been a WWII and Korea vet. Thomas’ wife worked for Army civil service for 38 years. We can’t wait to see Thomas compete!
Heather M Sanchez
Heather is an Army Veteran of 10 years, and is married to an active duty service member. Heather was airborne, and has three children. Heather is now a massage therapist and an advocate for a Veterans Brazilian Jiu jitsu, and practices herself. We are so grateful to have Heather joining us to compete!
Bree Braddy
Bree is originally from Korea due to her family’s military history, with her dad having served 20 years in the army. When she came to the states, she was able to have a pony for some time and fell in love with riding. We are so happy to have Bree with us for the 2023 event to get to see Bree in her element!
Sean Darney
Sean is from Maryland and was stationed at Ft. Moore back in January 2022. This is Sean’s second time here and has never had any experience with horses, but thought this was an exciting opportunity. We are excited to have Sean joining us for his riding debut!
Prince Thomas
Prince Thomas is a United States Army retiree. He is also chef, and is really looking forward to learning how to ride! We are so excited to see you compete!
Ryan Bandy
Ryan Bandy is a veteran of the United States Army. After multiple Combat Deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and South America, as well as peaceful rotations to South Korea and the Balkan regions, Ryan left uniformed service and joined the civilian service of the Department of Defense. He is married to Lieutenant Colonel Kaylee Bandy and they both reside in Effingham, South Carolina.