Rider Spotlight: Destry Bunnell

Name:  Destry Bunnell

Age:  20

Hometown: Palos Verdes, California

Major:  Psychology and Elementary Education

IHSA division:  Beginner

How did you become interested in joining the team?  I have been riding horses since before I could walk, but I had never been in any competitions. When I saw that the team had open spots for riders I had to take the opportunity, and I am so glad I did.

What is your favorite thing about being on the team?  My favorite thing about the team is how supportive and welcoming everyone has been. Coach Bob and all of the girls are so genuine, the love and excitement everyone has is contagious.

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice?  At practice Bob always tells me that he will never have me do anything I am not ready for, and to always remember that we are doing this because it is fun. A coach who makes you feel safe is a coach you can trust, and when someone I trust believes in me, it is that much easier to believe in myself. 

What do you hope to accomplish this year?  This year I will be doing my first show and I am so excited. When I look back on how I did in my first show, I just want to know that I did my very best and that I had fun. 

Rider Spotlight: Katlyn Greiner

Photo By: Becca Alder at B Photography

Name:  Katlyn Greiner

Age:  22

Hometown:  Los Angeles

Major:  Art History

IHSA Division:  Advanced

How did you become interested in joining the team?  Ive been riding since i could walk (doing english) decided it was time to change it up a little bit and joined the western team

What is your favorite thing about being on the team?  Getting to ride even tho im away at school

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice?  YOUR NOT RIDING HUNT SEAT!!!!!! lol

What do you hope to accomplish this year?  make it to semi-nationals in the novice division

Fun fact about yourself...   I LOVE macaroni and cheese (the shapes) and i have a wiener dog named rocky

Rider Spotlight: Lauren Gauval

Photo by Becca Alder at B Photography

Name: Lauren Gauval 

Age: 18 

Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey 

Major: Communications 

IHSA Division : Beginner 

How did you become interested in joining the team? My dad rode as an english rider until college. & I was inspired to do the same. 

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? The horse show competitions in California. 

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? there are many but he always tells me to put my heels down! 

What do you hope to accomplish this year? I hope before the year is over, I get first, second or third place in california. 

Fun fact about yourself.. I enjoy snowboarding, gymnastics, and traveling :) 

Rider Spotlight: Danielle Alder

Name: Danielle Alder

Age: 26

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Major: Nutrition (Dietetics)

IHSA division: Intermediate 

How did you become interested in joining the team? I was looking for a way to get involved on campus and to do something that I find challenging and fun.  I can say that it was definitely the best decision I have made.

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? The time that I get to spend with the girls on the team, they have been so wonderful to me and I am so proud of how far we have all come.  I also love working with Bob because he has helped me to get my confidence back :)

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? Bob "what are you forgetting to do"  Me " I don't know?"  Bob "BREATHE!"

What do you hope to accomplish this year? Since this is my last year with the team, I hope to make it to Nationals.  I also hope to get the team more exposure and possibly sponsors for the future.

Fun fact about yourself..   I like to listen to underground hip hop while baking cookies.....

Rider Spotlight: Kelsey Roderique

Name: Kelsey Roderique

Age: 20

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Major: Journalism and Mass Communication; Sociology and Marketing Minors

IHSA division: Novice (Qualified for 2013 Regional show)

How did you become interested in joining the team? Having owned and ridden horses my entire life, I desperately missed being involved with horses after my first year in college. The ASU Western Equestrian Team allows me to have my horsey time while being a full-time student.

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? Seeing how much I have improved as a rider and how supportive my team has been during that process.

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? Some crazy story about how prevented a shoot-out, guarded the President, or saved the world! (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating on the last one, but I'm convinced he's a retired FBI agent who still cannot reveal his true identity.)

What do you hope to accomplish this year? This year, I'm giving it everything I've got to get to Nationals.

Fun fact about yourself.. I can recite all 89 minutes of The Lion King from memory. "Life's not fair, is it?..."

First show of the 2012-2013 season!

Last weekend was our very first show of the season.  We were greeted the morning of the show with a light rain and some cloud cover, but it did not stop us from riding. This year we decided to bring a pop up tend and it ended up being a wise decision

The team ended up doing well bringing home 3 Reserve High Point Team ribbons.  Heidi, our open division rider, brought home 2 Reserve High Point rider ribbons.  We also had Kelsey and Danielle point out of their division and qualify to compete at Regionals!

Rider Spotlight: Madison West

Name: Madison West

Age: 19

Hometown: Tucson

Major: Theatre/History

IHSA Division: Intermediate

How did you become interested in joining the team? I’ve been riding horses for eight years, and figured I might as well try my hand at competitions.

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? The people. They’re all awesome.

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? Sit up straight!

What do you hope to accomplish this year? Get more than five points!

Fun fact about yourself… Jim Carrey is my spirit animal.