Equestrian team ready to roll

By Jennifer Vermilyea
The Collegian

As the Fresno State equestrian team’s spring season gets underway, the team is hoping to start off with a win.

But no one is more excited to get going than head coach Rebecca Malmo.

“I am absolutely looking forward to starting the season,” Malmo said.

Malmo is currently in her third season as the Bulldogs head coach.

After coming close to beating defending national champion South Carolina, the Bulldogs lost to New Mexico State in November in their last competition before break. The Bulldogs are now looking for redemption as their normal season begins this Friday when they travel to Texas to take on TCU.

“We want to win every meet we compete in,” Malmo said. “I expect to win them all.”

Even with that kind of attitude, Malmo knows there will be some tough obstacles in her teams’ way to making that goal.

“Our biggest challenge for us right now is our Code Red Event. We are all very excited for it, but there are some great teams coming in for that.”

One thing off her mind is the condition of the arenas. Usually, arenas can’t take rain and the riding has to stop so tractors can plow the dirt to make it safe, so the horses won’t slip. Malmo decided last year to get new footing, which has held up in the nasty weather.

“We haven’t missed a day of riding outside,” Malmo said.

If the Bulldogs need to go inside due to weather, there is an arena inside the animal sciences pavilion.

As only the third coach in the Fresno State equestrian team's history, Malmo took the job in 2004.

Previously, she was an assistant principal at Royal High School in Simi Valley, Calif. until 2001.

Some of the team members seem to agree Malmo has been a breath of fresh air for Fresno State.

Senior twin sisters Rebecca and Elizabeth Evans both agree that Malmo has done great things with the team.

“It’s the best it’s been in years,” Elizabeth Evans said. “She gives positive feedback and her door is always open.”

“It’s going very well now,” Rebecca Evans added. “She is very nice and very diplomatic and always encouraging. She tries to help you improve in any way she can.”

Malmo said she wouldn’t be able to do this job without the help of her assistant coaches. They do everything from warm up the horses at the competitions, to booking flights, to helping coach the team.

“My assistants are marvelous,” Malmo said. “It wouldn’t work without them. It takes all three of us.”

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