Texas Rio Grande Valley Athletics

CELEBRATING SENIOR DAY -- W&L RIDING

The Washington and Lee riding program saw its season come to an early end in 2020, just prior to finals competitions. The Generals have four seniors, who helped the program to four competition wins, seven Top 2 finishes and 9 Top 3 performances, in addition to placing as high as fourth at the ODAC Championship in 2018 and fifth in 2017 and 2019. During the 2019-20 campaign, these seniors guided the riding team to five Top 4 finishes in eight competitions, while winning two shows, including the home invitational on February 9. Today, we celebrate these four seniors!

W&L HEAD COACH GORDON REISTRUP SAID OF THE GROUP:
"It’s always bittersweet to send off the senior class, more than ever this season. So much left unfinished. I am excited to have been a part of the process of these outstanding students’ athletic and academic growth, and am excited to see what they are going to do as they fledge the W&L nest. Yet at the same time, I selfishly wish we had extra time to accomplish more on the field. Bon voyage, Generals! You’ve got this!"
 

COACH REISTRUP ON MARA: "I told Mara multiple times, 'Where have you been the past three seasons?' The Intro division requires tenacity and faith - to walk into the ring on a horse you’ve never ridden in a sport you’ve only just begun is daunting – Mara was such a quick study, soon becoming a winner for the Generals. A wonderful student and a conscientious young athlete, the horses took to her as easily as she took to them."

COACH GUYER ON MARA: "Mara has been a major asset to the team. She worked hard to make as much progress as she could during her short time spent with us. Mara always has a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone."

MARA EFIMOV • SENIOR • McKINNEY, TEXAS

Majors • English, sociology & anthropology Top Accomplishments: • One-year member of the team • Won the introductory equitation three times on the season • Win at the Lynchburg/Sweet Briar Inv. (10/20) helped team to a win • Win at UVA (2/23) helped team to third-place finish • W&L Scholar Athlete for Fall 2019 term

ABOUT MARA: Mara joined the W&L riding team as a senior and saw varied success throughout the season. She helped the team to a first-place finish at the Lynchburg-Sweet Briar IHSA Invitational on October 20 with a win in the introductory equitation. In the team’s second half of the season, she again won the introductory equitation twice in the same weekend, once at the Bridgewater/JMU Invitational and at UVA on the weekend of February 22-23. Mara is an English major and was a W&L Scholar Athlete for the Fall 2019 term.

COACH REISTRUP ON ERIC: "Eric came to the equestrian team from a ranch riding background with some polo thrown in and readily adapted to the hunter seat discipline. A naturally kind rider, the horses really like Eric and he was able to progress quickly. He concluded his season riding my 17.0 hand green six-year-old in his final practice – I think they were both smiling."

COACH GUYER ON ERIC: "Eric has worked so very hard to learn and grow as a horseman. He always has the horses' best interests at heart showing gentleness, kindness and compassion to the animal."

ERIC HERRERA • SENIOR • EAGLE PASS, TEXAS

Major • Neuroscience Top Accomplishments: • Two-year team member • As a senior, finished runner-up in the intro at the home show (2/9) • Also won the intro at Sweet Briar the next weekend • Qualified for 2020 regionals in the intro • Five third-place finishes as a junior

ABOUT ERIC: A two-year member of the W&L riding team, Eric is a neuroscience major. His senior season was highlighted by a second-place showing in the introductory equitation at the home show on February 9 and at Sweet Briar on February 15. He also had a strong performance during the final weekend of the season, where he qualified for regionals in the intro. As a junior, Eric logged five third-place finishes on the season, four of which came in the walk-trot.

COACH REISTRUP ON DANI: "Dani has been a great help to the team both as an entry level rider and a de facto team manager when not in the saddle. Dani also has helped with the Fall Horsemanship class as a TA for the past several years. Her enthusiasm for the care and welfare of the horses is always apparent. Those very qualities created the opportunity for beloved equine General 'Myles' to retire to her family farm."

COACH GUYER ON DANI: "Dani has been right beside me from the very beginning of my time at W&L. Always there to help me figure things out and to help me get adjusted. Dani always has a smile for everyone and is willing to help in whatever way she can."

DANI POWERS • SENIOR • McKENNEY, VA.

Major • History Top Accomplishments: • Four-year member of the team • Won the beginner walk-trot-canter at the Bridgewater/JMU Inv. (10/27) as a junior • Two wins in the walk-trot as a sophomore • Placed fourth at regionals in the walk-trot as a sophomore • 2020 IHSA All-Academic First Team • 4x W&L Scholar Athlete, 2x ODAC All-Academic

ABOUT DANI: A four-year member of the riding team, Dani had a strong junior season with a win in the beginner walk-trot-canter at the Bridgewater/JMU IHSA Invitational. As a sophomore, Dani won the walk-trot at Randolph and the home show, and also placed fourth in the walk-trot (now introductory) division at regionals. She also added a second-place effort in the same event at Sweet Briar and Randolph as a first-year. Dani is a history major and was one of 13 Generals to earn the IHSA All-Academic First Team honor as a senior. She is also a four-time W&L Scholar Athlete and a two-time ODAC All-Academic selection.

COACH REISTRUP ON CHARLOTTE: "Charlie’s energy and work ethic were an asset from the start of her collegiate athletics career. She has been an impact player all four years, producing points across divisions in IHSA competition each season and absolutely killed it at 2018 ODAC's. The team has benefited from her diligence and team work – if something needed to be done, I could always count on Charlie to be there."

COACH GUYER ON CHARLOTTE: "Charlie has been a pleasure to work with. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and get things done. Charlie has been a dedicated team player completing every task asked of her."

CHARLOTTE RADCLIFFE • SENIOR • LANCASTER, PA.

Major • Business administration Top Accomplishments: • Four-year member of the team, two-year captain • Earned High Point Rider honors at Hollins (10/12), four Top 2 finishes as a senior • Seven Top 4 finishes as a junior, including two wins • 2018 All-ODAC selection, regional qualifier • 2020 IHSA All-Academic Second Team • 2019 USHJA/IHSA Regional Sportsmanship Award

ABOUT CHARLOTTE: A four-year member of the team and a two-year captain, Charlotte had a strong career as a General, especially over her final two seasons. As a senior, Charlotte kicked off the season by earning high point rider honors at Hollins, before adding a pair of runner-up finishes at Bridgewater. As a junior, Charlotte logged seven Top 4 finishes, with a second-place finish and two wins. Charlotte also earned the USHJA/IHSA Regional Sportsmanship Award as a junior and was named a 2020 IHSA All-Academic selection. A 2018 All-ODAC selection, Charlotte is a business administration major, is a six-time W&L Scholar Athlete and is a three-time ODAC All-Academic pick.