Fresno State Athletics
Equestrian Team Prepares for Spring
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Jan. 27, 2000
The Fresno State Equestrian team is now in its fourth year of existence. They are still considered a new program here at Fresno State but are steadily gaining respect thanks to some reliable riders and a dedicated team.
The team is has been coached since the beginning by Megan McGee. In her short time here she has transformed the team into one of the most successful programs in the country. Before coming to Fresno State she assisted at Morehead State and Cal Poly and was the head instructor of Portland State's equestrian team. The assistant coaches are Lea Nibur (2nd year, Fresno State), Sean Reichle (1st year, Cal Poly), and Jennifer Jones (1st year, Fresno State).
This year the riders have been competing since October and will pick up next year with competition on Jan. 8 at UC Davis. The fall has brought the team several accomplishments and high expectations of what may come in the spring.
Some of the veterans to look out for include Sarah Woodward (So., Fresno, Calif.), Susanne Andreotti (Jr., Granite Bay, Calif.), Barbie Wiborg (Sr., La Habra Heights, Calif.), and Brenn Burtch (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.). Along with the returning riders a strong class of newcomers adds strength to the team. "We have had a solid start with a solid team," McGee said. There will be plenty of team success this season. With a number of returning riders that were close to qualifying for national competition last season, the squad is ready to build on their past success and achieve even more recognition this year.
Sarah Woodward, who competes in the open flat and open fences events at English shows, is returning after an extraordinary freshman season. Some of her impressive performances include earning high point honors at UC Davis, winning the Open Fences and taking second in Open Flat. She also took fifth place in the Open Flat at the IHSA Zone 8 Region Finals.
"Coming into this season I really just want to be the best I can," Woodward said. This fall she has already earned high points at IHSA at Stanford in October.
Susanne Andreotti brings the team experience and leadership. "When there is a need for Susanne to compete I know she will get the job done," McGee said. In early October Andreotti got some impressive experience away from Fresno State. A few months ago she traveled to Maryland to compete in an Olympic qualifying event. Along with her horse, Buehler, she was able to place in the middle of the pack consisting of about 80 competitiors. "Just being there gave me terrific advantages...I'm aiming to do this again in the Spring," Andreotti said.
Barbie Wiborg competes in the Western and English events. Already this season she has achieved a first place finish in the Advanced Walk/ Trot/ Canter competition at Stanford and a third place finish in Fresno.
Brenn Burtch is a western rider who walked on in the later part of the 1998 season. "She is coming on strong and becoming a leader, she is inexperienced at the collegiate level but is gaining experience at every meet," McGee said.
"I learn so much everyday and I'm improving rapidly...It feels great to be part of this equestrian team and compete with such an amazing group," Burtch said.
At the IHSA Fresno show first place awards were received by Hayley Ellilot, Dawn Crawford, Faye Bierbower, Christina Crabtree, Katy Woelfel, Ashley Howard, Elissa Cotter, Liz Bauer, Sarah Woodward, and Kelly Sansom in English competition. At the Cal Poly show first place awards were earned by Heather Hogancamp and Rena Miller. The Western competition in Reedley brought first place awards to Stacey Steinhoff, Kim Vardanega, Linsay Cummings, Katy Woelful and Rena Miller.
So far this season the equestrian team has competed against schools such as Bakersfield, Cal Poly, Reedley College, Stanford, and UC Davis. In the fall the Fresno State Equestrian team has earned Overall High Point Team honors in English at Stanford and twice in Fresno. The Western riders attained the Reserve High Point team honors at Cal Poly.
The spring's competition, beginning on January 8, brings more shows that team will compete in. The spring schedule will will have them competing at UC Davis, MTSU, Reedley, Cal Poly, New Mexico State, Cal Poly Ponoma, and Wesleyan College. They will be home for competition of February 12-13, and a possible rain date on March 18-19.
As the Equestrian team takes almost a two month break, expectations are mounting for their spring return. "I'm very pleased with what we've done so far this season. It's a solid start and I foresee us getting better," McGee said.