Equestrian

Equestrian Rider Spotlight

Kelly McFeeley, Club Sports Representative

In order for any club sports team to continue year after year and maintain a strong legacy, the current members must be willing to welcome in fresh faces and encourage their love of the sport. In the case of the equestrian team, we are lucky to have such talented new riders each year. One of these riders is Zoe Volmer, a first year hunt seat competitor.

Zoe is a freshman biology major from Chapel Hill, NC. Originally from Texas, Zoe began riding at her grandmother’s ranch at the young age of four years old. For the first several months of riding, Zoe’s grandmother taught her Western, as this was the discipline she herself grew up riding. After moving to North Carolina, Zoe continued her lessons at a hunt seat barn riding English. From age five until eighteen, Zoe has continued her riding career as a hunt seat competitor and now carried it with her into college. One of her biggest inspirations for riding has been her first riding instructor, Ginny Rollins as she was able to push and encourage Zoe to continue doing her best and to constantly improve her riding.

Choosing to attend Appalchian was easy for Zoe. When she had first visited the school, Zoe said it felt extremely welcoming and she enjoyed the outdoor feel of the school. Having an equestrian team was also an added bonus as that was something she had been looking for at schools. After college, Zoe wants to go into PA school to become a physician’s assistant.

One of the best parts of being a member of the equestrian team for Zoe, is that she gets to ride, but at the same time make new friends and memories. This is something that everyone on the equestrian team can relate to. Being a freshman in college can be intimidating and stressful, but having a place and a group of people who can help make you feel welcome and comfortable is important. The equestrian team is for many people and we are excited to continue and cherish that legacy for future years to come.