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Iola “Olie,” Else has been involved with the Equine and Natural Horsemanship Program since its inception and first classes in 2000. Else served as Â鶹ƵµÀ’s Rodeo Coach and Faculty Advisor for over thirty years and was named the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Coach of the year in 2004 and 2018. Olie is the only woman that has ever won the award. Under Else’s direction, Â鶹ƵµÀ was a national rodeo power and had seven National Champions and many top ten finishes at the College National Finals. Â鶹ƵµÀ Western Rodeo was a Big Sky Region power. Else retired from her coaching duties in 2018, but continues to teach in the Equine Program and serves as Department Chair. Olie is the campus liaison for the MCH and La Cense Â鶹ƵµÀ. Else meets with new recruits and is the primary advisor for Natural Horsemanship students. Olie teaches the Introduction to Equine Studies class, Herd Behavior, and oversees the student internships and theses. She was inducted in the Â鶹ƵµÀ Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame in 2018 and was  inducted into the 2019 Â鶹ƵµÀ Cowboy Hall of Fame. Olie is the faculty advisor for Young Farmers and Ranchers and her club is a recipient of the Presidential Award. She is passionate about agriculture and raises cattle and horses.

Vanessa graduated with her BS, MS and PhD from UC Davis in Animal Biology. She research investigated how shoe application and shoe length might lead to the development of underrun heels which have been associated with breakdowns in racehorses. Vanessa was involved in 4-H as well as The California State Horseman’s Association as a youth showing in English, Western and Gymkhana events. As an adult she has been competitive in the English events in both AQHA and USEF competitions. Before coming to Â鶹ƵµÀ, she had been a professional braider for USEF and USHJA shows on the west coast since 2001. She now has a broodmare that she uses to produce quality foals for competition. Some of the classes she teaches are Introduction to Equine Studies class, Selection and Judging, Equine Facilities Management, Reproduction, and Contemporary Issues and Ethics.  Vanessa is excited to be a part of the Â鶹ƵµÀ community and is enthusiastic to help guide students in the Equine Studies and Natural Horsemanship programs to achieve their educational goals and make connections in the equine industry.

Megan is a 2010 graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  In 2010, she joined a primarily equine veterinary practice in Corvallis, MT and worked as an Associate Veterinarian in the practice for 5 years.  Megan moved to the Dillon area in the fall of 2015 to take a position at the University of Â鶹ƵµÀ Western as an Assistant Professor of Equine Studies.  She is honored for the opportunity to be part of Â鶹ƵµÀ Western’s equine education program and bring practical experience to the students.