Davis, Calif. - Continuing a series of Q&As with this season's senior class, get to know about Western rider Lauren Mooney.
A member of UC Davis' Western Equestrian club before the university added equestrian beginning with the 2018-19 season, Mooney is an experienced member of a deep UC Davis Horsemanship group that found itself nationally ranked earlier this season.
Mooney and the Aggies will continue the second of the 2019-20 season fresh off a close battle with No. 1 Auburn on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8 against No. 6 Fresno State and No. 10 UT Martin.
The Aggies will compete in Flat and Horsemanship against UT Martin on Friday after the Skyhawks complete a full meet against Fresno State. UC Davis will then complete their meet against UT Martin with Fences and Reining on Saturday morning immediately followed by a full meet against Fresno State.
A live scoring link for the meet against Fresno State can be found here and a link to live scoring against UT Martin can be found here.
1) What's your earliest memory with horses, that you can think of?
My earliest memory was stopping on a road trip in Santa Barbara and petting horses out on pasture with my family.
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 was on the dance team in high school. I've always loved horses and have been riding since I was 8. It is a very important part of my life so I was determined to continue riding throughout college.
3) More specifically, what is it about equestrian at Davis that made you want to be a part of the team?
I was already on the western equestrian club team when the NCAA team was introduced so I was very excited to have the opportunity to tryout. I thought that it would be a great learning experience and would make me a better rider.
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?
We are much stronger and confident this year. We are realizing how much potential this team has to be very successful in the years to come.
5) What's your favorite memory from competing for the team so far?
My favorite memory was riding at nationals in Waco, Texas.
Quick Facts
Favorite movie: Interstellar
If you could only watch one tv show for the rest of your life it would be… Nathan For You
Favorite horse in the UC Davis stables: Flash
Favorite place you've rode (competitive or otherwise): Hawaii
Favorite place on campus: CoHo
One thing you'll miss about Davis: All of the friends I've made
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, 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 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.
To learn more about projects the Marya Welch Initiative is currently funding, like the Marya Welch Initiative on Facebook. Join this groundbreaking program by clicking here, contacting Assistant AD for Leadership Giving and Alumni Engagement Liz Martin at (530) 752-7326 or emartin@ucdavis.edu.
