Experience

• The University of Findlay

  Graduate Assistant- Western Equestrian

  o Worked under the guidance of Cindy Morehead for the Varsity Western Equestrian Team
  o Coached Junior Varsity Western Equestrian Team
  o Organized events and school-hosted Varsity horse shows
  o Completed team paperwork crucial to management of team throughout season
  o Helped with team's financial management through filing of financial records and receipts

• Empire Performance Horses

  Owner

  AQHA & APHA Professional Horseman
  
  o Manage small herd of show horses for clientele in the Northeastern United States
  o Buy and sell show horses for clientele
  o Train show horses and start young horses for AQHA, NSBA, APHA, ApHC, PtHA and PHBA competition
  o Develop show horses in Hunter Under Saddle, English Equitation, Showmanship, Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, and Hunter Hack
  o Coach clientele to improve their relationship and competitive abilities with their horse
  o Provide Western and English lessons to youth and adult amateur competitors
  o Manage all finances related to business
  o Show horses at National Breed Show competitions earning Championships and Top Five placings
  o Coaching customers to championships and top placings at National Breed Show competitions
  o Coaching customers to earn year-end awards in ESPHC, NYPEA and NYPtHA
  

• Cazenovia College

  Head Western Coach- Varsity Equestrian Team

  • Coach for the Varsity Equestrian Team as the Head Western Coach for competition within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA)
  • Conduct team practices to develop student's seat and functional ability to ride, and show a western horse in the discipline of Western Horsemanship.
  • Coach students on proper show ring procedure, etiquette and apparel for competition.
  • Complete travel and financial documents relevant to the management of Western side of the Equestrian Team.
  • Hire American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judges for school-hosted shows.
  • Work with Equestrian Team staff to operate horse shows and travel with school-owned horses.
  • Work closely with other coaches to develop and maintain diverse Equestrian Team dynamic.
  • Assist in organizing volunteer efforts for Equestrian Team in local community.
  • Foster growth and interest in the Western discipline in Cazenovia and Central New York communities.
  
  Selected accomplishments:
  • 2017 IHSA National Champion, Individual Open Reining
  • 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 AQHA High Point Rider for Zone 2, Region 2 (2015, 2017 Top Five at Nationals)
  • 2017 Regional Champion Team for Zone 2, Region 2
  • 2017 AQHA Trophy Team at the IHSA Nationals, 8th Place
  • 2017 NRHA Derby Collegiate Challenge Top Ten Rider, 8th Place
  • 2016 NRHA Derby Collegiate Challenge Top Three Rider, 3rd Place
  • 2016 AQHA Collegiate Championships qualifying rider
  • Several IHSA Western National qualifiers, Regional Champions and Reserve Champions
  • 2014 West Virginia University IHSA Invitational Champion Team

• Cazenovia College

  Associate Lecturer of Equine Business Management

  Courses taught:
  EQ101-401 Western Horsemanship I, II, III, IV
  
  • Teach undergraduate students to work with and ride horses in the Western discipline
  • Western equestrian topics covered are basic horsemanship development, preparing a show horse, pattern work, improving cadence of the western horse, green horse work, and advanced horse control
  • Develop and advance Western Horsemanship riding program and academic component providing students with current western horse industry methods
  • Secure guest lecturers from personal network to expose students to current industry professionals
  
  Lectures given on a variety of topics to entire Equine program:
  - D’Agostino, A. 2016 The American Rodeo. A Discussion on Rodeo in America and Animal Welfare. Cazenovia, NY
  - D’Agostino, A. 2016 Smart Marketing for Equine Business Through Social Media. Cazenovia, NY
  - D’Agostino, A. 2015 Too Low, Too Slow. The Ethics of the Evolving Western Pleasure Industry. Cazenovia, NY
  - D’Agostino, A. 2015 Showmanship at Halter. Cazenovia, NY
  - D’Agostino, A. 2014. It’s a Social Business. Social Media Use in the Equine Industry. Cazenovia, NY

• Cazenovia College

  Adjunct Professor- Business Management

  Provide undergraduate students learning experiences involving core business concepts relating to marketing and human resources.
  
  Courses taught:
  • BU205 Consumer Behavior
  • BU220 Business Communications
  • BU233 Human Resource Management
  • BU240 Principles of Marketing
  
  Mentored 2015 Cazenovia College Senior Capstone Business Competition Champion Team

• Pier One

  Sales Leader

  • Sales Associate of the Quarter, Quarter 3 (2011)
  • Assisted in running the store with opening and closing duties: counting the register, daily paperwork, deposits to bank, basic accounting for store
  • Managed a staff of six-eight
  • Developed staff to enhance their skills through targeted training exercises

• Albion College

  Western Equestrian Coach

  Coaching Varsity-level Western riders that show in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.