Photo by: Russell James/Texas A&M Athletics
Getting to Know: Ashley Davidson
Oct 11, 2019 | Equestrian
Q: What type of mindset do you have entering your senior season?
"I am in the mindset of going out with a bang. I've had a good three years so far and I just want to continue with that momentum that I have built moving into this year."
Q: Coming off one of your best years here at A&M, what are your expectations to build on last year's success?
"Personally, I want to form good connections with my teammates since that really helped push me last season. Every single one of us plays a huge roll in each other's successes. I also want to focus on myself and my riding with my connections, my feels and timing with all the horses we have here."
Q: As a senior leader, what have you taught the underclassmen and how do you see yourself as a leader?
"So far I have been a listening ear for the struggles that come along with freshman year. Some crying but mostly laughing. It's been fun getting to share my stories from freshman year, because it was a rough year for myself. I told the three Horsemanship girls, it could not be worse than what I experienced, so you are doing just fine. I also like to reassure them they will laugh about it looking back once they make it to their senior year like I do now."
Q: What do you expect from the Horsemanship squad after a 12-3-3 season a year ago?
"My only goal is to beat it and I think that is everyone else's goal as well. We are all extremely talented and the team is so deep that anyone could go in and carry us through the finish line. I think everyone knows that and I think that's what it really comes down to with the success of the Horsemanship team. We are always so proud of each other and know what each rider can bring to the table. We all believe we can beat the record from last year and can even be a better team. Since my freshman year, the Horsemanship squad has always been close. I could go to any of the girls for anything and they would be all ears. We can cry together, laugh together, not talk at all or be crazy and goofy while having a good time and I think that shows our relationships."
Q: What is your favorite Aggie tradition?
"This one is rough since there are so many I can't just narrow it down to one. But if I had to, it would be the yells. I'm not from Texas and all my friends back home don't know much about our school so when I try to explain to them how we do them and the rules that go along with it, it leaves their faces priceless.
Q: What made you start riding horses?
"I am the only one in my family that rides. My mom has always told the story that I came out making horse noises and had the bug for it. I got my first pony named Trouble when I was four years old. He was blind in one eye and the first time they put me up on him he took off and I fell off and broke my arm. My mom was freaking out since they moved and did a bunch of things to get me this pony, but it worked out. I even rode with my arm in a cast that whole summer."
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
"I do have a pair of lucky socks and a sports bra. I have to wear them both together or else they won't be lucky. The mojo would be thrown off and the setup would then be unequal. Some girls listen to music, but I just would rather sit there and talk horses or goof around with my teammates."
Q: Being from Washington, was it hard to make the decision to come to Texas A&M and what made you want to come here?
"I stepped off the plane here and was completely sold. I did not know a whole lot about A&M just like everyone back home. All I knew was what I read before I came here. The football game blew me away. I was pretty much sitting there with my mouth open the whole time. The facility we have here was also amazing and there was not even the slightest chance anything else could beat this."
Q: Looking back on your years here is there anything you would go back and change?
"Probably study a little bit more just like most people if they could go back and change something. I would also go back to my freshman self and get myself to talk more. That would have made my freshman year easier. It would have helped me way more in the process of getting adjusted to college life. There was no need to feel like a scared freshman now that I feel like a big scary senior."
Q: What are your career goals with your Animal Science degree?
"I am going to start working more on that process moving forward this year. I am interested in large animal pharmaceutical sales, maybe even equine insurance."
"I am in the mindset of going out with a bang. I've had a good three years so far and I just want to continue with that momentum that I have built moving into this year."
Q: Coming off one of your best years here at A&M, what are your expectations to build on last year's success?
"Personally, I want to form good connections with my teammates since that really helped push me last season. Every single one of us plays a huge roll in each other's successes. I also want to focus on myself and my riding with my connections, my feels and timing with all the horses we have here."
Q: As a senior leader, what have you taught the underclassmen and how do you see yourself as a leader?
"So far I have been a listening ear for the struggles that come along with freshman year. Some crying but mostly laughing. It's been fun getting to share my stories from freshman year, because it was a rough year for myself. I told the three Horsemanship girls, it could not be worse than what I experienced, so you are doing just fine. I also like to reassure them they will laugh about it looking back once they make it to their senior year like I do now."
Q: What do you expect from the Horsemanship squad after a 12-3-3 season a year ago?
"My only goal is to beat it and I think that is everyone else's goal as well. We are all extremely talented and the team is so deep that anyone could go in and carry us through the finish line. I think everyone knows that and I think that's what it really comes down to with the success of the Horsemanship team. We are always so proud of each other and know what each rider can bring to the table. We all believe we can beat the record from last year and can even be a better team. Since my freshman year, the Horsemanship squad has always been close. I could go to any of the girls for anything and they would be all ears. We can cry together, laugh together, not talk at all or be crazy and goofy while having a good time and I think that shows our relationships."
Q: What is your favorite Aggie tradition?
"This one is rough since there are so many I can't just narrow it down to one. But if I had to, it would be the yells. I'm not from Texas and all my friends back home don't know much about our school so when I try to explain to them how we do them and the rules that go along with it, it leaves their faces priceless.
Q: What made you start riding horses?
"I am the only one in my family that rides. My mom has always told the story that I came out making horse noises and had the bug for it. I got my first pony named Trouble when I was four years old. He was blind in one eye and the first time they put me up on him he took off and I fell off and broke my arm. My mom was freaking out since they moved and did a bunch of things to get me this pony, but it worked out. I even rode with my arm in a cast that whole summer."
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
"I do have a pair of lucky socks and a sports bra. I have to wear them both together or else they won't be lucky. The mojo would be thrown off and the setup would then be unequal. Some girls listen to music, but I just would rather sit there and talk horses or goof around with my teammates."
Q: Being from Washington, was it hard to make the decision to come to Texas A&M and what made you want to come here?
"I stepped off the plane here and was completely sold. I did not know a whole lot about A&M just like everyone back home. All I knew was what I read before I came here. The football game blew me away. I was pretty much sitting there with my mouth open the whole time. The facility we have here was also amazing and there was not even the slightest chance anything else could beat this."
Q: Looking back on your years here is there anything you would go back and change?
"Probably study a little bit more just like most people if they could go back and change something. I would also go back to my freshman self and get myself to talk more. That would have made my freshman year easier. It would have helped me way more in the process of getting adjusted to college life. There was no need to feel like a scared freshman now that I feel like a big scary senior."
Q: What are your career goals with your Animal Science degree?
"I am going to start working more on that process moving forward this year. I am interested in large animal pharmaceutical sales, maybe even equine insurance."
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