Equestrian 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM

Get to know senior Olivia Russell

Davis, Calif. - Olivia Russell is the fifth senior to be featured in a meet week Q&A this season.

Russell competed in all six meets during the equestrian team's first season and won a Horsemanship point in UC Davis' first ever meet on Jan. 31 against Delaware State and competed at the NCEA National Championhips in Horsemanship and Reining later that season.

Russell will be one of seven seniors honored on Saturday when the Aggies close out the regular season with a Jumping Seat-only meet against Lynchburg. Saturday's senior ceremony is scheduled for approximately 12:30 p.m.

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

When I was very little, I was TERRIFIED of horses. My parents have a photo of me, crying while sitting on a rocking horse. When I was about 5, my grandmother forced me on a pony ride at the Woodland Park Zoo, and I was hooked. My parents sent me to "pony camp" at Lang's Horse and Pony farm that summer. I went to camp a couple more times, and rode a friend's horses for a while but still wasn't consistently riding. When I was 11, I joined 4-H and got my first lease horse, Fritzi. A SASSY appaloosa who I did not get along with, but she was my only option (she was free!). When I was 16, I got my current horse, Melody, through a program called Mustang Yearlings/Washington Youth. I paid a whopping $25 for her, and she's the best horse I've ever had.

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 tried every sport, but equestrian is what stuck. I was too clumsy for track (I had hurdles fall on me), too aggressive for basketball (I broke someone's finger), and too uncoordinated for soccer and volleyball. I swam and danced for a number of years, but equestrian just kept pulling me back. I liked the unpredictability of it, the partnership of you and your horse and thrill of having just minutes to throw it all down on the line. I partially chose Davis because the equestrian center was right on campus. I lived in the dorms closest to the EQC and immediately joined the IHSA team, and worked my way up from novice to advanced, earning a trip to New York for finals. When I found out athletics was adding equestrian, there was no doubt that I had to try out. It has really been the best part of my college experience.

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

I wanted to be a part of something I knew was going to be special. I believe that equestrian is going to flourish at UCD, and to be a part of something groundbreaking is an exciting feeling. Being an inaugural member of the first-ever D1 equestrian team at Davis is something I will carry with me, and something my parents often use to brag about me to their friends. Another thing that makes this team special is how small it is. Because there are only about 30 girls, we're all very close and have great relationships with each other.

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?

Just from last year, we've all greatly improved our riding. People fall off less, we can do our lesson strength work for longer and overall our competitiveness has increased. Coaches Jessie and Jill have really whipped us all into shape. My own scores, as well as my teammates' scores, keep getting better and better. We're all sponges, and every meet we absorb more and more information on how to be better. As we improve, Coach Jessie's standards of us also rise. Each year's ceiling is the next year's ground floor. It's our responsibility to push that ceiling as high as we can.

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

Anytime we travel, fun times are had. Everyone is focused on the task at hand, but we're also so giddy to be traveling the country, seeing new places and gaining new catch riding skills. Another great memory is from when we went to Tahoe this fall. We had a great time bonding, hiking, eating and it even snowed! I also have a service dog, and it's so nice how accommodating and accepting my teammates and coaches are.

Favorite movie: Tangled

If you could only watch one tv show for the rest of your life it would be: Parks and Rec or The Office (basically all I watch now).

Favorite horse in the UC Davis stables: My own horse, Melody! I got Melody as a wild Mustang from the BLM in 2013. I've raised her from a yearling to a now sassy 8yr old, and she's my baby! For team horses though, I can't pick one! They're all such amazing animals to do what they do and are such intense athletes. I will say Olive and Rascal have a special place in my heart.

Favorite place you've rode (competitive or otherwise): I really loved Nationals in Waco, TX last year. High energy and so much fun!

Favorite quote from Coach Jessie: When I'm in trouble, which is often, Coach Jessie has this way of saying OliViAAA that makes me and the other girls laugh. She also threatens to throw cones at as if we keep missing a marker or go off pattern in practice (Don't worry, she hasn't gotten there yet).

Favorite place on campus: I love the arboretum! I usually walk my dog through it a few times a week.

One thing you'll miss about Davis: As you've seen as a theme on this questionnaire I can't pick one! My team and coaches. Jessie and Jill are such kind, selfless and motivating people. They push us all to be better every day, while also set glowing examples of what a poised, professional and successful woman can be. I will miss Coach Coman for weight training, because of his infectious energy. He is controlled chaos, but has pushed us all to new levels of strength--something we're all grateful for. Finally, I'll miss the girls. My best memories of my time at Davis come from this team be it traveling, competing or even just in a team meeting, we're always giggling. Everyone is fun, quirky in their own way and so supportive! No matter how your round went, you know they're waiting outside of the arena with smiles, ready to give you a high-5.

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Players Mentioned

Olivia Russell: 5' 4"; Graduate Student; Horsemanship/Reining

Players Mentioned

Olivia Russell
: 5' 4"; Graduate Student; Horsemanship/Reining