Former Cowgirl Gampfer Continues Her Passion

By Mika Ryan, OSU Athletics Communications

STILLWATER – Former Cowgirl Equestrian rider Maggie Gampfer has had quite the journey since graduating last spring.

Gampfer, who was on the Cowgirl Equestrian roster from 2012-15, is now working under trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run Stables in Warren, Vermont.

"Maggie is extremely intelligent and has a fantastic work ethic," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "She was a great rider and an excellent team member."

Being around horses has always been something she has had a passion for, whether she is riding or working with them.

"When I was a little kid, I told my mom that I wanted a pony, so she took me to go on pony rides at a local farm, and I fell in love with it," Gampfer said. "It's special because my mom fell in love with it when I did, so she has been able to live her horse dream vicariously through me."

The moment Gampfer got her first pony she dove head first into the horse world. Growing up, she spent much of her time riding and showing horses, so winding up on the Oklahoma State Equestrian team came as no surprise. After years of success, she left a mark on the team and went off to continue furthering her career with horse trainer, Missy Clark.

"Missy and her husband have so much knowledge on the horse world, and having been with them for almost a year now, I have learned so much more than I could have ever imagined," Gampfer said.

Since graduation, she has been on the road, traveling and showing horses all over the country. She was even able to travel to Europe to experience horse shows in a different light. Unlike the United States, horse shows are huge events in Europe. The amount of people who attend could be compared to the amount of people who attend football games.

"It was such an amazing experience because people genuinely want to be there and it's something that they mark on their calendars," Gampfer said. "Even though the popularity has progressed over the years, I wish horse shows were to that caliber here in the United States."

Between traveling, she works with the horses and helps keep them healthy, waking up every day around 7 a.m., along with the horses, for their morning workouts. Even though working from sun-up to sun-down every day may seem like a burden for most people, Gampfer is exactly where she wants to be.

As busy as she is, it is difficult to find the time to visit her teammates and friends at Oklahoma State.

"I will forever have life-long friends from the team, and one of my closest friends is actually now a coach," Gampfer said. "I am so happy for her, and have heard from girls on the team that she is doing an amazing job and that they all love her."

Gampfer is living proof that if you love something enough, you will find a way to stick with it. She was just a little girl who had the love for horses, wound up on a collegiate equestrian team and found herself working and traveling the world with a professional trainer.

"The next step for me is to continue to learn as much as I can under Missy, and to one day possibly do my own thing," Gampfer said. "I think there is a lot left to learn, but I love where I am and couldn't be any happier."

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