Davis, Calif. - This week Ashley LeCron is the latest UC Davis equestrian senior to sit down and answer a few questions about how she found the UC Davis equestrian team and a love of riding. 

LeCron has the unique distinction of owning the first ever Division 1 competition ride in UC Davis equestrian history. She was the first rider out of the pen for Fences when UC Davis hosted Delaware State on Jan. 31, 2019, scoring a 73 to set the tone for a meet the Aggies would go on to win 10-5. 

LeCron and the Aggies head to South Dakota State this weekend for a Saturday meet against their ECAC foe. The team will then return home to finish out the regular season against Lynchburg on March 6 in a jumping seat only meet and March 7 against SMU. 
 

1) What's your earliest memory with horses, that you can think of? 

The first time I remember being around horses was when my friend took me to visit her horse and let me walk around without a saddle, I was probably about 8 or 9. I remember watching people taking jumping lessons at her stable and thinking it looked really cool, and it inspired me to start taking lessons!

2) Did you play other sports before UC Davis and if so, what was it about equestrian that made you want to continue in college? 

I played team volleyball in middle school and have also been a skier most of my life, however I've always been a huge animal lover and enjoyed getting to spend time with the horses. Riding eventually became my main focus throughout middle and high school so it was important that I found a school that would allow me to continue riding.

3) More specifically, what is it about equestrian at Davis that made you want to be a part of the team? 

I wanted to continue riding in college and meet people who also shared that passion at the school. I was on the club Hunter/Jumper team at UC Davis for 2 years before trying out and getting on the Division 1 team. The addition of the D1 team was super exciting for me and something I knew I wanted to be a part of in its inaugural year.  

4) It's only been a little over one season but what kind of change have you seen in the program from last year to this year? 

I think it has definitely gotten more competitive and more serious this year versus last year. In the first year, we were all new to NCEA and we were just trying to figure out how everything worked, but this year I think we're really focused on trying to become the best team that we can.

5) What's your favorite memory from competing for the team so far? 

My favorite memory is probably the first meet we did last year against DSU, I was the first person to compete for UC Davis and seeing the excitement and the comradery at the meets was something really cool that I had never experienced before. 

Quick Facts

Favorite movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you could only watch one tv show for the rest of your life it would be… Arrested Development or Nathan For You

Favorite horse in the UC Davis stables: Eden

Favorite place you've ridden (competitive or otherwise): Pompadour, France

Favorite quote from Coach Jessie:  "Olivia!!"

Favorite place on campus: The Arboretum

One thing you'll miss about Davis: All of the amazing team horses (but especially Eden and Cappo)

ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, and among the top 15 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE
Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit https://give.ucdavis.edu/ATHG/324041 for more information.