A question & answer with the 2025 NCEA Distinguished Alumni. The seventh iteration with TCU alumna Wynne Weatherly.

What is your favorite memory from being on the equestrian team?
The big Texas snow of 2021! My teammates and I went sledding around campus for seemingly a week straight and rode the horses in the snow during practice. 

Are you still involved with horses? How so?
Yes! I ride and help manage at SH Training under Sayre Happy in Wellington, Florida and Lexington, Kentucky.

Tell us a little bit about your current career and how you got to where you are today?
We work with mostly jumpers, but have a few hunter and equitation horses as well. I started as a working student for Andrea Guzinski at Cedarhill Farm when I was 13, during which time I met Havens Schatt and was a working student for her through my five years at TCU. I've loved working and learning wherever I've been along the way!

How did your experience as a student-athlete help propel you in your current career?
As a teammate, but especially during my time as captain, I learned so many interpersonal and leadership skills which (hopefully!!) help our team with its day-to-day functions. Time management was my biggest takeaway from my time as a student-athlete and helps tremendously during busy horse show weeks!

How valuable was the opportunity to be a part of a team?
There really isn't another facet of the industry (apart from major international show jumping competitions) that gives you the opportunity to be on a team; we're always competing against one another. I truly enjoyed working toward a greater goal with others and getting to cheer on my friends as a part of something bigger than myself.

If you could tell your college self anything, what would it be?
I promise you, you're not that tired!! Go hang out with your friends when they call, go to the barn when you have extra time, and get involved in anything on campus that makes you happy! College is too short to not enjoy every minute possible.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
My hope is to be running my own training and sales barn one day with all of the experience and knowledge that I've gained while working with such great professionals in the industry.