Fiorentino Catches Up With GoFrogs.com
8/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Aug. 2, 2011
FORT WORTH, Texas - Newly hired Hunt Seat coach Logan Fiorentino recently sat down with GoFrogs.com to talk about her first couple of weeks in Fort Worth and much more.
Fiorentino comes to Fort Worth following three seasons as an assistant at the University of Georgia where the program captured the overall Varsity Equestrian National Championship twice during her stay. She joined the staff after competing for the Bulldogs from 2004-2007.
While at Georgia, Fiorentino coached the Bulldogs to the 2010 Hunt Seat National Championship and 2011 Hunt Seat Reserve National Championship, respectively.
What do you think of Fort Worth so far?
"I think Fort Worth has been great so far. I've had the chance to explore downtown a bit and I'm really excited to check out all of the great restaurants and live music."
What brought you to the job with TCU?
"TCU is a great program and to have the opportunity to lead a Hunt Seat team is something that I've always wanted to do. It was a great opportunity and a new challenge that I couldn't pass up."
What do you bring to the Hunt Seat side at TCU?
"I was the assistant coach at Georgia for the past three seasons and I predominately worked with the jumping riders and horses. Before my time with UGA as a coach, I competed for the team while completing both my undergraduate and master's degree. I know what it is like to be a student-athlete at a Division I school and all of the responsibilities that go along with it. I understand the challenges of balancing life as an athlete with life as a student. I love that I am able to relate to my athletes. Before I was a student-athlete, I spent 13 years riding and showing on the AA-circuit, so I understand the life that many of these young ladies have led."
Talk about your experience at Georgia and how you can relate that to TCU's student-athletes?
"I loved being a student athlete at UGA. I loved the opportunity that I had to represent my school and compete at the Division I level. I think one of the reasons I got into coaching was to try to stay involved with a team for as long as possible. I believe that my time as a student-athlete provides me with a unique advantage when working with the team. I've had a lot of the same experiences that many of the young ladies are having, so I know what they are going through and hopefully I can offer some advice. I try to follow the philosophy of not asking or requiring them to do something that I have not done myself or cannot do. I hope that it helps them understand that we are a team and that we are all in this together."
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
"I truly believe that this team has the talent to really make something happen this year. We are returning a great group of young ladies as well as a welcoming in a fantastic incoming freshman class. I would like to see this team advance deep into the championship tournament this year. We have a great Western program as well and I think we could really contend for a title this year. Another goal is to build and develop our herd of team horses. I would also like to see this team active in the TCU and Fort Worth community through philanthropic efforts and events."
What do you think of TCU's facilities for Equestrian?
"October Hill Farms is a beautiful facility and we are fortunate to be able to call it home. The indoor arena is one of the best in collegiate equestrian and the barns are fantastic. The academic and athletic facilities at TCU are great and the renovations and expansions are going to really give TCU and our student-athletes a leg up on the competition."
What is your overall vision for the TCU Hunt Seat program?
"My overall vision for the Hunt Seat program is to recognize our talent and develop into a championship program. I would also like for people to recognize our student-athletes not just as winners in the arena, but young ladies, who are also smart, confident, selfless, hard working and ready to take on whatever comes down the road."
What do you like to do outside of coaching for fun?
"When I'm not coaching, I love to ride and work with young horses. My husband and I are really into food, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what good food Fort Worth has to offer. Other than spending time with Ray and our dog Poseidon, I love the beach and watching the New York Yankees play."
Have you done anything fun since moving to Fort Worth?
"I've been so busy since moving to Fort Worth that I haven't had a chance to do much other than unpack my house, but I am looking forward to my first cattle drive."
Have you adjusted to the heat yet in Texas?
"I have absolutely not adjusted to the heat here. People say it's a dry heat, but I don't think it matters much. I have started conditioning myself by parking farther away from the grocery store. I've decided that small steps are the best way to go."
