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When Jill Frazo arrived at Alfred University, she knew horses would be part of her life. What she didn’t expect was how much she would grow—not just as a rider, but as a leader and thinker.
Graduating in 2024 with a degree in political science and a minor in equestrian studies, Jill embraced Alfred’s liberal arts environment, building on connections between what she learned in the classroom and her hands-on experience with horses. Today, she applies those lessons in her work at Hunting Horn Tack Shop in Penfield while continuing to ride and teach.
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Stepping Into Leadership
Jill Frazo riding a horse named Jig at Alfred University.
Throughout her time at Alfred, Jill rode on both the Hunt Seat and Western varsity teams, stepping outside her comfort zone in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Having spent most of her life riding Hunt Seat, trying Western for the first time opened new doors. By her senior year, she was serving as captain of the Western varsity team, helping guide them through practices and competitions.
“One of the things I unexpectedly gained was the ability to work with people,” Jill says. As a captain, she collaborated closely with coaches and helped manage the fast pace of horse show days—ensuring riders and horses were prepared, and every detail stayed on track. “I had to focus on my own ride but also make sure everyone else was where they needed to be.”
That experience strengthened her communication and time management skills, while her political science coursework sharpened her approach to problem-solving.
Lessons That Last
Jill Frazo jumping with her own horse named Flynn.
“The critical thinking skills I gained helped me look at situations from different perspectives and really try to understand everyone’s side before forming an opinion,” she says. She credits professors like Sari Rivera, assistant professor of political science, and Michele Lowry, associate professor of criminal justice, with making a lasting impact.
“They’re some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and I loved learning from them.”
After graduating, Jill taught riding lessons and worked at a barn near Rochester before stepping into her current role at Hunting Horn Tack Shop. She also rides professionally and owns her own Hunt Seat jumper, a gelding named Flynn.
Looking back, Jill sees her time at Alfred as preparation not just for a career, but for navigating life. “The ability to critically think through what’s going on around me—that’s what prepared me the most,” she says. “Those skills translate into everything I do.”
Among her many memories, one stands out above the rest: traveling with the equestrian team to IHSA Nationals in Kentucky.
“To ride at the Kentucky Horse Park—where Olympians compete—was incredible,” Jill recalls. “Showing an Alfred horse in that kind of arena was just unforgettable.”
It’s a moment that captures everything her Alfred experience represented—challenge, growth, and the thrill of stepping into something bigger than herself.
Advice for Students
She encourages prospective students to trust their instincts when choosing a college. “I really believe that when you’re where you’re supposed to be, you feel it,” she says. “At Alfred, you can explore different interests and figure out where you thrive.”
Jill's advice for graduating seniors is simple: stay connected. “Lean on your professor connections—they’re some of your greatest assets. If you don’t want those relationships to end, they don’t have to.”
For Jill Frazo ’24, Alfred University was more than a place to study or ride—it was where she learned how to lead, think, and move forward with confidence.
