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.

Rider Spotlight: Molly Steahly

Molly Steahly

Name: Molly Steahly

Age: 20

Hometown: Springfield, Illinois

Major: Health Sciences (Pre-professional)

IHSA Division: Beginner

How did you become interested in joining the team? Always loved riding horses but had very few opportunities to ride growing up and I found out you can ride for the ASU team and not have your own horse!

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? Getting to ride horses and making new friends!

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? don't look down at your horse!

What do you hope to accomplish this year? I hope to point out of the beginner division. 

Fun fact about yourself.. I am also in Army ROTC

Rider Spotlight: Heidi Helton

HEIDI HELTON

Name: Heidi Helton

Age: 21

Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Major: English

IHSA division you are currently in: Open

How did you become interested in joining the team? An ASU representative came to my high school when I was a Senior and we were talking about Animal Science degrees when she mentioned there was an Equestrian team. I immediately E-mailed the President at the time demanding all the information I could get from her. When I exhausted all her knowledge, I found Krista McNaughton (whom I had competed in 4H with briefly) and demanded answers from her. By the time Fall came around, I was thoroughly excited and prepared to be on the team. :D

What is your favorite thing about being on the team? I love, love, LOVE competing, that's what got me interested in the team in the first place. However, over the years, the friendships I've formed and the people I've gotten the pleasure to compete with have made it so much more. I wouldn't trade it for anything. :)

What is one thing that Bob always tells you during practice? "Don't look at the horse!" A bad habit that has been terribly hard for me to break. 

What do you hope to accomplish this year? To be the AQHA qualifier for our Region. I would love to be able to compete at a National level for the team. Plus, my family is from Pennsylvania and I'd LOVE to be able to go back to see them and have them there to cheer me on. 

Fun fact about yourself.. I'm a bit of a nerd. I love watching films, reading books, and writing stories. If I'm not in school, studying, or riding, I'll be doing one of those three things. 

Meet our Coach: Bob Leary

Straight from the horses mouth, a Q & A with the coach for the ASU Western Team...

Q. How long have you been in the horse industry?

A. I started when I was twelve years old. A friend of mine’s Uncle used to get wild Mustangs and take them to his ranch. The Uncle and his ranch hands would get a saddle on them and then we would jump on. My parents did not know I was doing this, I was playing Pop Warner at the time and they though the bruises were from playing football. After working the horses we were given the keys to a four wheel drive truck and could drive it anywhere on the ranch, he did not care what we did to the truck; this was the perfect compensation for a twelve year old boy.

Q. Who has influenced you the most in your career?

A. An old ranch horse called Vern. He was the smartest horse I ever rode. You would have to trick him at times to get him to work. Once he realized he was tricked, he threw a temper tantrum. You always had to convince him that it was his idea in the first place.

Q. How long have you been the coach of the ASU Western team?

A. I actually started the ASU Western Equitation team four years ago.

Q. What is your favorite thing about coaching the team?

A. Watching riders accomplish something they might not have had the opportunity to do if were not for the ASU team.

Q. What is one of your favorite tricks to help improve a riders skills?

A. You have to laugh, if you think about how amazing a horse is, if they wanted, they could throw you off in a second. But instead the horse tries to figure out what you are telling them. The average horse has the intelligence of a three year old child.  If you have fun while you are working with horses you will be successful.

Q. Tell us one fun fact about yourself

A. I used to race sailboats, everything from twelve to fifty one foot boats. I hold the record for the most wins in San Francisco Bay Annual Pumpkin race. 

Spreading the Word...

Last week the team was at the Passport to ASU event held at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex.  There were thousands of eager Sun Devils looking to get involved on campus.  We met a lot of great people and had tons of fun promoting the western team.  Here are a couple of photos from the event!

Our table was quite snazzy thanks to the lovely and talented Kelsey Roderique who made fliers and a media book to showcase our team's accomplishments.

Join the Western Equestrian Team

Ever interested in joining the ASU Western Equestrian Team?  THE TIME IS NOW!  We are officially seeking new members and will be holding try outs very soon.  In order to be eligible you must:

1. Be a full time ASU undergraduate student.
2. Pass a physical examination.
3. Pay dues (exact amount TBD)

You do not have to:

1. Have your own horse.
2. Have your own tack.
3. Have riding experience.

Come down to the Passport to ASU event happening tomorrow, Wednesday August 22 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex.

You can also find information on Western Equestrian page for the SDFC.