Equestrian walk-on set to exhibit

Seniors hailed at competition

By: SAM STEINBERG

Posted: 2/22/08

Two years ago, Amber Fellows was working at the Animal Science Complex on South Milledge while dreaming of making the varsity equestrian team.

At the time, Fellows, who has ridden horses since she was 10, already had tried out twice and was being paid by the hour to clean, feed and move the team's horses.

Months later, at the fall 2006 tryouts, she opened up her e-mail account to find out she had made the team.

"It was phenomenal. It was so exciting," Fellows said. "I was ecstatic. I called my parents."

As the saying goes, the third time is the charm - but it was more than just luck that got Fellows a team spot.

"We couldn't say no to her anymore," head coach Meghan Boenig said. "We saw the mistake in our ways because of her personality and determination. Every horse she rides becomes her new favorite. She just enjoys being outside with the horses."

When she made the team Fellows' status around the equestrian complex immediately changed from "student worker" to "student athlete."

"There is a really big difference," Fellows said. "As an athlete you don't really put that much time into the horse care. You ride and you don't really interact that much with the barn workers. It was a pretty big step up."

Yet, even with the title change, some things stay the same for Fellows.

She still enjoys working at the complex on the weekends and during the summer.

In addition to riding horses, Fellows can be found driving University buses around campus.

Saturday, the student worker and new equestrian team walk-on will show in an exhibition performance in equitation on the flat.

Fellows will be one of 12 seniors honored before Saturday's meet at 2 p.m. The event against South Carolina will be the team's last home meet of the season and a change to avenge a 11-7 loss dating back to November.