Katie Altenhofel: Taking on a senior leadership role

FRESNO, Calif. - If you have ever been out to an equestrian event, whether that be just a dual meet, a tri-meet, an invitational, or even just being around an equestrian team for a few minutes, then you definitely know that the sport is not necessarily always a quiet one. Even the student-athletes have outspoken personalities outside of events, which senior team captain Katelyn Altenhofel exemplifies to its fullest potential.

During competition, the ongoing echoes of "so pretty", "oh yeah" and various whoops and whistles fills the arena, so much so that bystanders stop to see what the ruckus is all about. Cheering is a big part of the sport. As teams with 30-plus women surround the arena to watch one or two women perform their pattern at a time, they all make sure the rider can feel the support.

For the four-year Bulldog, cheering people on wasn't too far out of her comfort zone coming in to Fresno State.

Altenhofel is a native of Murrieta, Calif. and was a standout member of Murrieta High School's cheer team, acting as a team captain and three-year varsity letter winner in the sport.

"Growing up, I was always pushed to be a cheerleader," explained Altenhofel. "Being a team captain all four years of high school has taught me so much about leading and how to motivate my team."

After primarily showing her cheer skills in high school, coming to Fresno State and being able to show her riding skills was something that she took pride in. Not many people understand much about the horse world and Altenhofel saw it as her chance to let the people in her hometown know that she meant business when it came to riding horses.

In her amauter career, she racked up a pair of showmanship awards, but to very little surprise, she was also honored with the 2015 Silver Dollar Sportsmanship Award.

"Being able to represent my hometown and being able to ride on this team has really helped me show people from home what equestrian really is. It has been cool being able to show them that I am a Division I athlete. Getting to do that has been a really big encouragement for me."

Coming to Fresno State and joining a team wasn't easy, much like how it was for most of the girls coming to the Valley to join the sport. It is hard to go from knowing horse showing as an individual sport to all of a sudden riding for a team. Altenhofel didn't let that bother her, she settled in and made the best of the situation she was in. Through the years, she has earned the respect of her coaches, teammates and everybody she comes into contact with with her bubbly personality.

"Starting off was a little rough, but coming on to this team and having 32 sisters that you can go to at any time really made a huge impact on me. Having those people that I could go talk to and knowing somebody instead of just going in to a college that you don't know anybody. It is a cool feeling being on a team."

Altenhofel was nominated and voted as team captain this year by her teammates and her coaches. The honor is taken very seriously by the senior. She sees it as an ability to lead, support and represent the Bulldogs.

"I am a team captain and that has helped me be a spokesperson and get my team motivated and help them with whatever they need help with. I love being that person that they come to and want help from. That really encourages me to be a better person and reach out to them."

The senior has used her outgoing personality to find what she loves doing outside of cheer and horse showing, and that is broadcasting. Altenhofel has had the opportunity to work with Fresno State Focus, the University's on-campus student newscast that allows for students to get a feel for the real world in the industry, and she had the opportunity to get in front of a camera and share her personality with so many others.

With her years of experience in motivating, leading and pursuing her dreams, Altenhofel has made good use of her four-year career at Fresno State and she hopes that others get the chance to do the same in their time as a Bulldog.

"I hope Fresno State lives on with this equestrian program and can make it even better than what we have already been building up. I want them to be the best that everyone can be."

"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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Katie Altenhofel: Taking on a senior leadership role

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