Cornell University Athletics

• Guided the Big Red to its first team qualification to the IHSA National Championship in school history, finishing seventh overall (2016).
• Coached an IHSA National Champion and IHSA Reserve Champion (2015).
• Zone Reserve Champions (2016, 19)
• Regional Champions (2015, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24)
• Ivy League Champions (2015, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24)
• Ivy League Reserve Champions (2016)

• Head Coach, Cornell University (2014 – Present)

• Three-time USEF National Champion, Welsh Pony Adult Hunter (2005, 08, 10)
• USEF National Champion, Welsh Cob Pleasure (2008)
• Two-time WPCSA National Champion (2003)
• Syracuse PHA Adult Medal Championship (2003)

• Syracuse PHA Large Junior Hunter Championship (2000)
• AHSA Zone 2 Championship, Welsh Pony Hunter (1998)
• Placed third nationally in the AHSA, Welsh Pony Hunter (1998)

• B.S. (with distinction), Human Development, Cornell University (2003)
• M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, Syracuse University (2013)

Joanna Novakovic '03 was named the head coach of equestrian at Cornell in September 2014. A four-time United States Equestrian Federation national champion and a United States Hunter Jumper Association certified trainer, Novakovic brings a wealth of experience as an independent trainer, riding coach and judge to the Big Red program.
 

During Novakovic’s tenure, the Big Red has claimed seven Ivy League Championships, eight Regional Championships, and two Zone Reserve Championships. Novakovic has helped guide multiple riders to the IHSA National Championship, coaching a National Champion and Reserve Champion in 2014-15.

The post-COVID Era for Novakovic saw her guiding two riders, Ashley Ardila in 2022 and Emily Pecsok, to top-five finishes at the IHSA National Championship.
 

CUET won five-straight Regional Championships from 2015-19 and bringing home three-consecutive Ivy League titles from 2017-19. The Big Red was on pace to reach great heights in 2020 as well, qualifying a program-high eight riders for Zones before COVID-19 forced an abrupt end to the season.
 

The Big Red’s 2017-18 Ivy League and Regional Championships came after a dominating regular season that saw Cornell win a program-best six of its seven regular season shows. A year prior in 2016-17, the Big Red achieved a perfect score at the Ivy Championships en route to the team title, and Claira Seely and Laura Vasquez-Bolanos went on to secure top-six finishes at the IHSA National Championship in their respective events.
 

The 2015-16 campaign was a historic one for Cornell, as the team secured its first qualification to the IHSA National Championship, ultimately placing seventh.
 

Novakovic had an impressive first season at the helm of the Cornell team in 2014-15. Shana Coffey won a national championship for the Big Red in Novice Fences, while Chelsea Huss was named the Reserve Champion in Open Fences. With four other student-athletes also competing in the National Show, Cornell qualified more riders than any other team, and all of the Big Red’s participants finished in the top-six of their respective events. Georgiana de Rham also qualified to participate in the prestigious Cacchione Cup, finishing in fourth place.

As a professional rider, Novakovic won three USEF national championships, Welsh Pony Adult Hunter (2005, 2008, 2010), and added a USEF national championship, Welsh Cob Pleasure (2008). Those victories came after a pair of WPCSA national championships in 2003 and a Syracuse PHA Adult medal championship that same year.
 

As a junior rider, Novakovic won the 2000 Syracuse PHA Large Junior Hunter championship, the 1998 AHSA Zone 2 championship and placed third nationally in the 1998 AHSA, Welsh Pony Hunter. She was also a Syracuse PHA Small Junior Hunter champion in 1996.

Novakovic worked at both If Only Farm Equestrian Center and the Quickland Stables, developing individual lesson plans for students to improve skills in equitation, hunters, and jumpers. She also trained a variety of horses and judged local shows. In addition, Novakovic served as a trainer and instructor at Kelviden Equestrian Center from 2001-12, working with riders of various experience levels and ages.
 

Novakovic graduated from Cornell with a bachelor's of science degree with distinction in human development in 2003, before obtaining a masters of arts in marriage and family therapy from Syracuse in 2013. She spent six years as a research assistant at Cornell, helping to create CARE (Children and Residential Experiences) training curriculum. She previously worked at Family Counseling Services of Cortland, providing family and individual therapy to children, teens and adults at an Office of Mental Health clinic.