10 Questions With Equestrian Senior Tassie Munroe
3/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
March 4, 2011
Nicholas Olivier, TCU Media Relations Student Assistant
The No. 6 Horned Frogs will look to get back to its winning ways Sunday when it travels to DSU. Start time is set for 8 a.m. CT from the Hornets' Gambler's Choice Equestrian Center.
What are your goals for the season?
Our goals for every season are always the same, to win a National Championship. I feel more confident than ever in this team and I truly feel we have the ability and drive to go all the way this year.
When did you start competing?
Well my parents were throwing me on horses before I could walk, but I entered my first competition when I was five and never looked back.
What is your favorite thing about riding?
I truly love everything about riding. I have done it my whole life and I can't imagine not riding. I think one aspect that is so unique to riding is the partnership that you have between you and your horse. I can't describe anything like it. When I'm riding, the mundane cares of the real world vanish and all that matters is the partnership between me and the animal.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my father. Both of my parents are not only amazing horsemen and trainers, but also inspiring people. My dad has helped me so much in my career and has always pushed me to be my best. His is always the first opinion that I want when I'm leaving the arena after my round.
What is the biggest achievement of your career so far?
I have won collegiate MVP's and national awards before coming to TCU, but the achievement that I will always remember the most is when the English team beat No. 5 Baylor at Nationals. It was a surreal experience and an attitude-changing one for our team. I have never been as proud of this team as I was at that exact moment.
How does it feel being a veteran on the team?
It's fun being a veteran because by this time in our career we know the ropes and have our routines down. But at the same time, it is also very scary. Everything we do this year is for the very last time. Being on this team has been a chance of a lifetime for so many of us and we are saddened that it is coming to an end. We tell ourselves all the time not to hold anything back this year because this is it.
How have you improved from your freshman year?
When the five of us freshmen English girls came the first year, we literally looked like deer in the headlights. The team had only been around for one year and we were the first recruiting class. We had no idea what was going on. (laughs) I think the improvement that all of us have made is through mental maturity. We all came here knowing how to show, but college equestrian truly teaches you to ride an extreme variety of horses.
What advice would you give to the freshmen?
I would tell them to keep their heads up. We all know how hard it is to make the adjustment from riding your own horse to riding all kinds of horses that you have never set on. It will get easier and you will fall into the same routine that we have. As coach says, "Always remember to ride like a champion!"
What are your plans after graduation?
For the past year, I have been interning in the public relations department at Justin Boot Company. This has been an amazing opportunity and I have learned a great deal. I am very blessed that they have offered me a position after graduation in May. I am very excited that my career will allow me to continue my involvement in the equine community and that I get to stay in Fort Worth.
What is it like competing in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth is the center for everything horse related! It is a great city that truly supports our sport and I feel very lucky that I get to stay here after graduation.
Players Mentioned
