A home away from home for Equestrian's Dani Schneider

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State has been the home to many for decades. Students flock to the Valley with hopes of admission to one of the top Universities in California. Fresno State has given students the opportunity to "Be Bold" in countless ways and for the student-athletes representing the Pride of the Valley, things are no different when they come to Fresno. As a Division I athlete, there are many benefits like the obvious scholarship opportunities, top-notch facilities and incredible opportunities for growth.

For student-athletes like Fresno State equestrian senior Dani Schneider, the benefits have been much more than those listed above. Fresno State has been a home away from home. A place where she has found people she considers family and a place that looks out for her.

Schneider came to Fresno from Simi Valley, Calif. with the opportunity to ride horses at the collegiate level, but what she didn't know she would get is an experience of a lifetime.

"I chose Fresno State because I got to be close to home and also so I could ride horses. Being the only school in California with a Division I equestrian program at the time was pretty awesome," said Schneider. "Fresno State was the only school I applied to in California and the coaches here reached out to me and I came for my visit."

With the horse world being so big, yet so small, two worlds collided for seniors Schneider and Alexandra Dirickson in their visits to Fresno State.

"I was friends with Alex from horse shows growing up and we ended up being on the same visit. We were both heading up the 99 and we had sent Snapchats to each other while we were on the road. So when one of us asked where we were going, it came out that we were both heading to Fresno. It was pretty cool to have a friend here coming in."

In her time at Fresno State, Schneider has been a part of a Nationally ranked team as the Bulldogs have been a part of the Top-10 teams in the last four years. As a teammate to multiple All-Conference and All-American riders in the last four years, she has learned a lot about what it takes to be a part of a championship team in the equestrian world.

There are a lot of responsibilities in the horse world. Not only are you physically managing a 1,000-pound animal, there comes the barn chores, the arena preparation and maintenance, and ensuring the horses are physically and mentally ready for competition.

"My experience on the team has been fun. There has been good days and bad days, any day can be different, especially when you are working with an animal with a mind of its own. Some practices can be awesome and others can be the worst day ever. It can be so unexpected, but it has been awesome getting to meet girls that have the same passion."

Something that a lot of the equestrian student-athletes have to learn when they come in is that equestrian at the collegiate level is not an individual sport like it is at ameatuer levels. The Bulldogs ride head-to-head in events, but the overall points are won for the team total and that is not always an easy thing to adjust to. There are two sides to the horse world, and the two sides join together at the collegiate level which can be different for some. Having a tight-knit group and working together to share experiences and a common bond has made that so much easier for the senior.

"Getting to learn about the other side of the equestrian world has been great, too. I grew up jumping horses my whole life, so coming here and getting to learn about the Reining and the Horsemanship has been really cool."

"One thing about riding for a collegiate team is that you get to work with people from different backgrounds. Here we meet people from the East and West Coast, anywhere and everywhere really. It has been cool learning how other brains work and getting to work together for a common goal. That is a unique thing about riding in college, it is not about riding for yourself, it is for other people as well."

Coming in to her senior year with graduation in the near future and happy thoughts all around, Schneider had no idea what would present itself in November 2018.

With wildfires burning the state of California on both ends, the Woolsey Fire in Southern California caused quite a bit of worry for Schneider and her family. Fresno State Equestrian hosted South Carolina and Baylor on the weekend of November 9-10. Schneider's mom had come up from Simi Valley to show the Bulldogs some support in their final meet of the fall. However, on Friday morning and with the fire spreading more rapidly than most, she had to surrender her spot in the stands at the Student Horse Center and return home to make sure there was still a home to return to.

"One of my friends from back home was house sitting for us and I just told her to go home and be with her family because the fires were coming in so many different directions," added Schneider. "My house was pretty safe, but if the winds changed, we wouldn't have been so lucky. My mom had talked with our neighbors to have emergency evacuation for all of our animals. We got lucky that the winds didn't shift our way and the first responders got everything under control."

As her mother trekked south, it left Schneider, the team and the community uneasy, but more than willing to help.

"Our teammates were awesome. Everyone was making sure that Alex and I, and everyone else from the area were okay. I was getting text messages from so many people asking if any of my friends or family were affected and wanting to help. A lot of people from Fresno State Athletics reached out. Terry Tumey personally called me and made sure that I was okay and told me if I needed anything, he was there and Fresno State Athletics was behind me. It meant so much to me, I really was not expecting it."

In times of tragedy and when there is a feeling of uncertainty, it was clear that Fresno State Athletics stands behind its student-athletes. For Schneider, her family and everybody else who was affected, it meant the world. Gaining friendships and relationships with the people around her has truly benefited her college experience on so many levels.

"I have met some of my best friends here. I am closer with girls I have met in college than girls I have known my entire life. It has been cool to gain that relationship. It has taught me more about myself and how equestrian has bettered me as a person in terms of my work ethic and generally becoming a more well-rounded person."

With graduation creeping up just two months away, it has come time to see a life without Fresno State and reflect back on what the University has meant to some. For Schneider, it has been a place for her to feel safe, find herself, meet her best friends and grow as an equestrian athlete. The experiences she has had at Fresno State are some she will never forget or be able to replace.

"I wouldn't have been able to ride horses in college, let alone past high school if it wasn't for Fresno State. I have also gotten an amazing education. I have gotten the opportunity to be passionate about a school and a sport at the same time, which not a lot of people get to do. Thank you Fresno State for the best four years of my life, for best friends from all across the country, for letting me travel to new places and for giving me an unforgettable college experience. These are the days I will remember forever. So, thank you Fresno State, for everything. I am Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred."

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" –The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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A home away from home for Equestrian's Dani Schneider

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