Fresno State Athletics
Equestrian Senior Spotlight: Sierra Swaffar
2/8/2018 10:22:00 AM | Equestrian
Equestrian Senior Spotlight: Sierra Swaffar
FRESNO, Calif. - Hunt Seat rider Sierra Swaffar is the second Bulldog senior to be introduced before Senior Day on Saturday February 17.
Swaffar has been a part of the Fresno State equestrian program for four years. Swaffar saw success in her sophomore campaign as she earned NCEA and UEC Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Month for October. She was also named to the 2015-16 NCEA First Team All-America (Equitation on the Flat) and was honored with the 2015-16 UEC Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Year title to round out the season.
As a senior, Swaffar has excelled in both the equitation on the flat and the equitation over fences events for the 'Dogs. In the flat, she has notched a 6-2 record while earning two MOPs in the season. In the fences, Swaffar has a 5-3 record to go along with two MOPs.Â
Swaffar, a Ventura, Calif., native, sat down with GoBulldogs.com to touch on her experience while at Fresno State.
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Swaffar: "I chose Fresno State for two reasons. One, the equestrian team was the only NCAA team in California. Two, it was nice to be able to stay in California. It is only three and a half hours from home so it's nice."
Q: Who is your biggest riding influence?
Swaffar: "My biggest riding influence would probably be my best friend, Kirsten McKillop. She went to Fresno State and is an alumni for the team and now a trainer. Another influence would be my trainer that I grew up with, Shawna."
Q: What advice would you give to future Bulldogs?
Swaffar: "Remember that we are student-athletes and they both go hand-in-hand together. Try your hardest not only on the field or arena, but in the classroom as well. Put it all together and strive to succeed in all of it and not just one or the other."
Q: What is your most memorable win in the arena as a Bulldog?
Swaffar: "Beating Auburn at Delaware in 2016. Auburn was No. 1 and we were on a neutral site which takes away the home team advantage. It felt good that we were able to both come to the same thing in riding new horses and we were able to take the win."
Q: Who was your favorite horse to ride?
Swaffar: "There are two, one for flat and one for fences, both at nationals. My flat horse my freshman year, his name was Calisto and he was Texas A&M's horse. The fences horse I rode my freshman year was from Oklahoma State but I don't remember his name."
Q: What will you miss most about being apart of the equestrian program?
Swaffar: "My teammates. You get automatic best friends and family. It is going to be hard not having them whenever I desire."
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
Swaffar: "I am going to stay in Fresno and hopefully find a job and get my life started. No big plans."
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