Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo courtesy of: Kim Carino Photography
Five Transfers Look to Make Impact at Oklahoma State
December 06, 2016 | Cowgirl Equestrian
By: Meagan Bordayo, OSU Athletics Communications
STILLWATER – Moving to a new place where you don't know anyone can be scary, but for the five new transfers to the Oklahoma State Equestrian team, Stillwater already feels like home.
After winning the Big 12 Championship last season, the Cowgirls are looking to continue their success this year. The team, which consists of 50 girls from all over the country, includes newcomers Hunter DeJane, Molly Dunn, Paige Kemper, Kinsey McDougald and Sarah Miller.
For each girl, deciding where to attend college was a big decision. Most have been riding ever since they can remember. It is everything to them so choosing the right school, where they felt comfortable, would grow and be successful, was important to them and their families. So when they decided to transfer, from their first school, it was even more crucial they find the right fit. For all five, choosing to transfer to OSU was easy.
"Seeing the camaraderie of the girls, how well they got along and the coaching staff at the Big 12 Championships or at meets against my old team, it was great to be able to see their attitudes towards everything," TCU transfer Hunter DeJane said.
"They were always happy and excited to go show. They always had a lot of energy, and I really liked that. It just felt like a good place to go. I looked at their team and thought I would want to be a part of that team."
DeJane wasn't the only one that felt this way. Paige Kemper, a Kansas State transfer, said she loved what she saw from the OSU team at meets.
"I saw how amazing their team worked together and how great the coaches were with the team," Kemper said. "I loved how much fun they looked like they had all the time. I loved when my old team would travel here to OSU because they had the best horses. It was always efficient, they were always friendly and very welcoming. I just really wanted to be a part of that, and I knew it would feel like home."
To Molly Dunn, also a K-State transfer, OSU and the Equestrian team had all the values she was looking for. She said it was the little things about OSU that she loved, like taking down the flat ring and setting up at meets and practices.
OSU head coach Larry Sanchez is to thank for that.
"He always makes sure we all get along," Kinsey McDougald, a Fresno State transfer, said. "He treats us all equally and helped us becomes one big family. There's no big segregations between English or Western. He does a phenomenal job at helping us become one."
For McDougald, the choice to make the move to Stillwater was mainly about the Equestrian team, but the OSU Agricultural Communications program was a bonus.
The coaching staff has been an integral part of the team's success and a key to the newcomers making a smooth transition.
While they may come to OSU to ride, DeJane said it's more than that. The coaching staff has helped them learn more about riding and horses in general, and that's an important part of the process.
Another bonus for the five transfers were the facilities. OSU has indoor and outdoor arenas, and the team is also getting a new locker room in January.
Since arriving at OSU the girls said they have felt nothing but welcomed. In the short amount of time they have been together, one thing is sure, the 50-girl squad is more than a team — they are a family.
Having a family away from home is nice when you're not from the area, which none of the transfers are. OSU has become that for them though; a place they can call home even when they're thousands of miles away from their families.
A common goal the new members share is to help the team be the best it can be and to win the Big 12 and national title.
With the help of the five new transfers, the Cowgirls finished 4-1 this fall, defeating Delaware State, Baylor, TCU and Georgia. The team hopes to continue its success in the spring.
"Hopefully we all feed off each other working hard," Auburn transfer Sarah Miller said. "Of course we want to win the Big 12 and national championship, but we have to start with the little things and go up from there. We can definitely do it."
STILLWATER – Moving to a new place where you don't know anyone can be scary, but for the five new transfers to the Oklahoma State Equestrian team, Stillwater already feels like home.
After winning the Big 12 Championship last season, the Cowgirls are looking to continue their success this year. The team, which consists of 50 girls from all over the country, includes newcomers Hunter DeJane, Molly Dunn, Paige Kemper, Kinsey McDougald and Sarah Miller.
For each girl, deciding where to attend college was a big decision. Most have been riding ever since they can remember. It is everything to them so choosing the right school, where they felt comfortable, would grow and be successful, was important to them and their families. So when they decided to transfer, from their first school, it was even more crucial they find the right fit. For all five, choosing to transfer to OSU was easy.
"Seeing the camaraderie of the girls, how well they got along and the coaching staff at the Big 12 Championships or at meets against my old team, it was great to be able to see their attitudes towards everything," TCU transfer Hunter DeJane said.
"They were always happy and excited to go show. They always had a lot of energy, and I really liked that. It just felt like a good place to go. I looked at their team and thought I would want to be a part of that team."
DeJane wasn't the only one that felt this way. Paige Kemper, a Kansas State transfer, said she loved what she saw from the OSU team at meets.
"I saw how amazing their team worked together and how great the coaches were with the team," Kemper said. "I loved how much fun they looked like they had all the time. I loved when my old team would travel here to OSU because they had the best horses. It was always efficient, they were always friendly and very welcoming. I just really wanted to be a part of that, and I knew it would feel like home."
To Molly Dunn, also a K-State transfer, OSU and the Equestrian team had all the values she was looking for. She said it was the little things about OSU that she loved, like taking down the flat ring and setting up at meets and practices.
OSU head coach Larry Sanchez is to thank for that.
"He always makes sure we all get along," Kinsey McDougald, a Fresno State transfer, said. "He treats us all equally and helped us becomes one big family. There's no big segregations between English or Western. He does a phenomenal job at helping us become one."
For McDougald, the choice to make the move to Stillwater was mainly about the Equestrian team, but the OSU Agricultural Communications program was a bonus.
The coaching staff has been an integral part of the team's success and a key to the newcomers making a smooth transition.
While they may come to OSU to ride, DeJane said it's more than that. The coaching staff has helped them learn more about riding and horses in general, and that's an important part of the process.
Another bonus for the five transfers were the facilities. OSU has indoor and outdoor arenas, and the team is also getting a new locker room in January.
Since arriving at OSU the girls said they have felt nothing but welcomed. In the short amount of time they have been together, one thing is sure, the 50-girl squad is more than a team — they are a family.
Having a family away from home is nice when you're not from the area, which none of the transfers are. OSU has become that for them though; a place they can call home even when they're thousands of miles away from their families.
A common goal the new members share is to help the team be the best it can be and to win the Big 12 and national title.
With the help of the five new transfers, the Cowgirls finished 4-1 this fall, defeating Delaware State, Baylor, TCU and Georgia. The team hopes to continue its success in the spring.
"Hopefully we all feed off each other working hard," Auburn transfer Sarah Miller said. "Of course we want to win the Big 12 and national championship, but we have to start with the little things and go up from there. We can definitely do it."
Players Mentioned
/ Cowgirl Equestrian
/ Cowgirl Equestrian
/ Cowgirl Equestrian
/ Cowgirl Equestrian
/ Cowgirl Equestrian
Tuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
