Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Senior year preview with Lexee Padrick
6/18/2021 2:25:00 PM | Equestrian
FRESNO, Calif. - The rising senior class for Fresno State equestrian has been a big part of the success that the program has had over the past three seasons. Coming in as a large class with 13 signees, the group wasted no time at making their names known and making noise in the draw as freshmen.
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Entering their senior season, members of the graduating class of 2022 sat down with GoBulldogs.com to look back on their time at Fresno State, and touch on expectations for the senior year in the arena.
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Senior reiner Lexee Padrick, a native of Wilsonville, Ore., looks forward to the energy the team will bring to the show ring this season. More from Padrick's interview below.
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Q: How have you seen the program grow since arriving at Fresno State?
Padrick: "Coming into my freshman year, we had 13 girls in my class. There has been a big transition between then and now. Our class brings a lot of energy, and we went from just being a team, to having a sisterhood. We are all really close since we are in the same age group, and we all show. We have a lot of energy and we all push each other to be better. It has been fun watching us all grow up and become better riders. We push each other in practice and such, but we are also always right there at the back gate while we are showing. I think that is a big thing that has shown. We have become closer, and the team is a sisterhood. We are constantly learning and pushing each other to be better."
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Q: Speak on the success that this class has brought to the program.
Padrick: "Our class is really talented. When we came to school, we weren't world champions. Auburn has world champions everywhere, we just don't. It has been really fun growing together and bringing all of our knowledge together. We have picked up a lot of wins. We have proven ourselves. We have created a dream team. We made up this team that doesn't have the world champions, but we have proven that we are better and that we can do big things. It has been really nice to be successful because we came in just as some girls from Fresno State, but now we are a top-ranked program. We knew that there were standards, and we met all of those to prove that we are just as good as any other program out there."
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Q: What are the standards for the upcoming season?
Padrick: "Being this is my senior year, and COVID taking a year from us, I think that there is going to be a lot to look forward to this season. We get to return to normal life. Practices and workouts will be normal and I think that we have the potential to reach one of our highest and best seasons. I am excited to see how we do with our whole team back."
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Q: What is your favorite thing about being a student-athlete at Fresno State?
Padrick: "It is very different here than it is at other schools. We are one big family. It is nice to see the support that we get from other teams. I think that is really cool. We are one big family here at Fresno State. I also like the way that we are treated here as an equestrian program. A lot of colleges don't have equestrian, so not only does Fresno State have equestrian but we are one of the top-ranked programs and we are very well-treated at Fresno State. It is really cool to see that."
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Q: How would you say Fresno State has prepared you for life after college?
Padrick: "I think Fresno State has well-prepared me. I have grown as a woman here and have found exactly what I want to do. They helped me find the path that I want to take after college. I want to get into marketing and advertising, and all of my professors and mentors have really helped me. When I first came here, I had no idea what I wanted to do and they really helped me to find that path. I have gained a lot of support and connections from being at Fresno State, and I know when I am out in the real world, I will still have that support and those connections. I feel prepared, and I know that I have people right next to me along the way."
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Q: What is your message to the incoming freshmen?
Padrick: "Come in and be ready to work, but also come in with great energy and be ready to yell and scream. We need to make sure that we are having fun, but working hard. With any other sport, you are taking care of yourself. With our sport, you are taking care of yourself but also another animal. So, basically, just come in ready to work but also have fun."
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"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateEQ
Instagram: fresnostateeq
Facebook: FresnoStateEquestrian
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Entering their senior season, members of the graduating class of 2022 sat down with GoBulldogs.com to look back on their time at Fresno State, and touch on expectations for the senior year in the arena.
Â
Senior reiner Lexee Padrick, a native of Wilsonville, Ore., looks forward to the energy the team will bring to the show ring this season. More from Padrick's interview below.
Â
Q: How have you seen the program grow since arriving at Fresno State?
Padrick: "Coming into my freshman year, we had 13 girls in my class. There has been a big transition between then and now. Our class brings a lot of energy, and we went from just being a team, to having a sisterhood. We are all really close since we are in the same age group, and we all show. We have a lot of energy and we all push each other to be better. It has been fun watching us all grow up and become better riders. We push each other in practice and such, but we are also always right there at the back gate while we are showing. I think that is a big thing that has shown. We have become closer, and the team is a sisterhood. We are constantly learning and pushing each other to be better."
Â
Q: Speak on the success that this class has brought to the program.
Padrick: "Our class is really talented. When we came to school, we weren't world champions. Auburn has world champions everywhere, we just don't. It has been really fun growing together and bringing all of our knowledge together. We have picked up a lot of wins. We have proven ourselves. We have created a dream team. We made up this team that doesn't have the world champions, but we have proven that we are better and that we can do big things. It has been really nice to be successful because we came in just as some girls from Fresno State, but now we are a top-ranked program. We knew that there were standards, and we met all of those to prove that we are just as good as any other program out there."
Â
Q: What are the standards for the upcoming season?
Padrick: "Being this is my senior year, and COVID taking a year from us, I think that there is going to be a lot to look forward to this season. We get to return to normal life. Practices and workouts will be normal and I think that we have the potential to reach one of our highest and best seasons. I am excited to see how we do with our whole team back."
Â
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a student-athlete at Fresno State?
Padrick: "It is very different here than it is at other schools. We are one big family. It is nice to see the support that we get from other teams. I think that is really cool. We are one big family here at Fresno State. I also like the way that we are treated here as an equestrian program. A lot of colleges don't have equestrian, so not only does Fresno State have equestrian but we are one of the top-ranked programs and we are very well-treated at Fresno State. It is really cool to see that."
Â
Q: How would you say Fresno State has prepared you for life after college?
Padrick: "I think Fresno State has well-prepared me. I have grown as a woman here and have found exactly what I want to do. They helped me find the path that I want to take after college. I want to get into marketing and advertising, and all of my professors and mentors have really helped me. When I first came here, I had no idea what I wanted to do and they really helped me to find that path. I have gained a lot of support and connections from being at Fresno State, and I know when I am out in the real world, I will still have that support and those connections. I feel prepared, and I know that I have people right next to me along the way."
Â
Q: What is your message to the incoming freshmen?
Padrick: "Come in and be ready to work, but also come in with great energy and be ready to yell and scream. We need to make sure that we are having fun, but working hard. With any other sport, you are taking care of yourself. With our sport, you are taking care of yourself but also another animal. So, basically, just come in ready to work but also have fun."
Â
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateEQ
Instagram: fresnostateeq
Facebook: FresnoStateEquestrian
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