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Ellen White, an internationally recognized dressage trainer, was selected as the first head coach in the history of Baylor's new women's equestrian program. The school's equestrian team began its first year of competition with the 2005-2006 academic year. Last fall, White led Baylor to its first ever top finish in IHSA competition as the English team tied for first with Oklahoma State at Texas A&M's 2005 English IHSA show in November. The fall schedule also produced two head-to-head wins for the program over South Dakota State and SMU. "Ellen's record of outstanding achievement as an athlete, trainer and instructor in equine disciplines along with her outstanding character make her the ideal person to provide leadership for our new women's equestrian program," Baylor Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said. "Moreover, Ellen's expansive network in the horse industry and familiarity with Baylor will provide further benefit to our program." White joined the Baylor staff from Waco's Willow Spring Farm, which she has owned and managed for the past 23 years. She is involved in all phases of the farm's operation: breeding, buying and selling horses, and providing training and lessons in both dressage and jumping. White also serves as an instructor for the American Pony Club Association & Junior Young Rider throughout the Lone Star state. "I'm very excited that Baylor is starting an equine program, and I'm happy to be a part of helping it get off the ground," White said. "It is exciting that women will have this opportunity at Baylor. This is a fun sport. It also is one that typically is an individual sport, so it is exciting to see it develop as a team sport." Still training with internationally known clinicians and Olympians, White was awarded U.S. Dressage Federation silver (1992) and gold (1999) medals, captured Selle Francais Horse of the Year honors three times (1992, 1993 and 1994) and won USDF Horse of the Year honors in 1993. White received qualifying scores for the U.S. Olympic Festival and Pan American Games, and she also was invited to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in dressage. "I wish Ellen well in her new position," said Mary D'Arcy O'Connell, coach of the 2000 & 2004 Irish Olympic 3-day event team. "She is a very positive and encouraging person. I believe she will be a great addition to the Baylor family." In addition to her outstanding competition record, White's farm has won numerous breeding awards. A 15-year host to Oldenburg/ISR inspections, White's horses have received national awards including Meshach (2nd place Oldenburg/ISR Mature Stallion) and Ominous (2nd place USDF Yearling Filly Awards). Her young stallion Caleb earned the 2004 reserve champion award for the ISR 100-day Stallion Test. A 1981 Baylor graduate (Bachelor of Arts in economics/journalism), White and her husband of 24 years, Greg, reside in Waco and have two children: Cara White Clark, 20, of Atlanta, Ga., and Shelby, 18. The Whites are active members of Waco's Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Ellen has spent 13 years as a children's supervisor in Bible Study Fellowship and nearly three years as a substitute teaching leader. Women's equestrian is the Big 12's fastest-growing sport with teams added at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Kansas State since 1999. |
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