Two captains with distinct personalities lead ASU's English Equestrian team with balance.
The team competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association in Zone 8 Region 2, where senior co-captain Rachel Marsh brings structure to the program, while junior co-captain Olivia Hillman keeps the environment upbeat.
Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Marsh grew up competing in the sport of eventing from ages 5 to 18. This discipline involves three stages: dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
A college search influenced by the desire to ride in college led Marsh to ASU, where she now competes in the sport of equitation. In this discipline, riders are evaluated on their position, style and control rather than the horse's abilities.
"I couldn't keep my horse in college, so I was looking for a way to stay riding," Marsh said. "It's very important to me and really shaped a lot of my values and my work ethic."
Hillman hails from Maple Grove, Minnesota, where she began riding at the age of 7. Joining an equestrian team wasn't a defining factor in her college search, but after committing to ASU and learning about their team, Hillman has been with the club since her freshman year.
From freshmen to upperclassmen, coach Rachel Jansen Jones from Crossroads Farm in Gilbert, Arizona, has seen the two make strides to grow both as athletes and as people.
Since joining the club with eventing experience rather than equitation, Jansen Jones saw Marsh evolve as an athlete very early in her ASU career by reworking the way she once competed. Marsh is now in the highly competitive open division, where she serves as an anchor for the team.
Beyond the evolution of her athleticism, Jansen Jones has also seen Marsh develop as a leader, becoming a cornerstone for the club.
"(Marsh) has been really instrumental in creating the kind of team that we have now, which is very cohesive (and) organized," Jansen Jones said.
Marsh, who is also in her second year of presidency for ASU Sport Clubs, describes herself as "Type A." Marsh works well under a deadline and feels that she operates best when she is busy.
By leading workouts and team bonding activities, Marsh's attention to detail has shaped the structure of the club.
"We really have a solid team this year that can be the top team in the region," Marsh said. "It's been really exciting because a lot of our athletes are way more involved than they have been in the past."
READ MORE: The ASU English Equestrian team welcomes students from every skill level
In addition to Marsh, Hillman plays an essential role in keeping the team "functioning as a unit," Jansen Jones said. She contributes quick and creative thinking, cheerfulness and a positive attitude to the team environment.
"Even though they all ride individually, at the end of the day, it's the team aspect of it that matters the most, and (Hillman has) been a big part of that as well," Jansen Jones said.
Their two contrasting personalities merge together for the benefit of the team. Where Marsh excels at guiding and motivating the team, Hillman focuses on fostering good experiences and connections for the team.
"It's been nice being able to know (Marsh) and work with her," Hillman said. "I feel like the way that we communicate and lead together balances out really well. I always try to think of it as she's very Type A and I'm very Type B, but it goes together."
During Marsh's time with the program, she transformed the club into a closely bonded community — a legacy she hopes is carried on.
Marsh's legacy and leadership strength have seeped into Hillman, who plans to carry these bonds and competitive atmosphere into the future for her senior year.
"I want to try to make as many close bonds with every single team member that I can, or every person that I meet, and hopefully they remember me later on, whether they continue to ride or not," Hillman said.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
