The Rocket

Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: SUBMITTED PHOTO Equestrian captain Amanda Stoops jumps on her horse during competition.

With a growing roster and impressive outings against the likes of Penn State University, the equestrian team has emerged as one of the most successful club sports at Slippery Rock University.

This past semester, the roster more than doubled in size, a necessary step in order for the team to be competitive against the large rosters of teams such as the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University. Team captain Amanda Stoops was the driving force behind the rapid growth of riders.

"When I was named captain, I wanted to promote the team as much as possible," Stoops said. "I told the team that it was going to get big."

Stoops kept her word. The equestrian team welcomed 23 new members after a large promotional campaign that included print media and visits to FYRST Seminar classes.

Aside from her recruitment efforts, Stoops is one of the most experienced riders on the team roster. She competes both individually and as a point rider for the team.

"Point riders are the best riders on a team. We are the riders who compete individually, with our points counting towards us and the team," Stoops said. "I also qualified as a regional rider, which is an individual-based competition that hosts only the elite riders."

Stoops will be representing her team in the advanced walk-trot-canter division. Stoops credits much of the team's success, as well as her personal accomplishments, to three-year coach Joey Huey.

"He was a driving force in my ability to qualify for regionals, and the whole team has improved immensely under him," Stoops said. "He is very dedicated to us and we are dedicated to him. We wouldn't be where we are without him."

While Stoops has had a lifetime of practice and experience, current riders who have had no prior experience before joining the team have earned an enormous amount of success. The equestrian team trains every new member before allowing them to compete.

"Everybody is trained when they become a part of our team," Stoops said. "Training is based on an individual's prior experience and how many shows we have for the semester."

Two-year veteran Kimi Negrin is a prime example of an athlete who has gone on to achieve a great deal of success despite not having any prior experience.

Continued...

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