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Friday, May 04 2018 / Published in General

Abby O’Mara: From NCEA Equestrian Athletic Career to Coach at Texas A&M

Abby is the assistant coach at Texas A&M University.
Photo courtesy of Abby O’Mara

By Liza Goodlett

Abby O’Mara was a member of the University of Georgia’s Equestrian team before transitioning to the assistant coach position at Texas A&M University in 2017. Abby had a very successful hunt seat career at Georgia, including leading the Bulldogs to win the 2014 NCEA Championship. After graduating in 2014, she worked as a graduate assistant to the team for two years before transitioning to South Florida to work as an academic coordinator. An unexpected phone call came that ultimately landed Abby the coaching position at Texas A&M in 2017.

Abby, right, with her father, Tom O’Mara, and Georgia’s head coach, Megan Boenig
Photo by Liza Goodlett

When did you decide you wanted to coach?

It actually happened when I was a graduate assistant for Georgia in my second year. I was able to see the inside of the sport, work in the office and see how much goes into running a home competition. I definitely came to appreciate what the coaches do, not only with the horses but working with college athletes. I thought it was really cool to see that side of it. I told our head coach, Meghan Boenig, that I would love to coach at either Georgia or Texas A&M.

When did you find out about the coaching position at A&M opening up?

At the time, I had interviewed and applied to a lot of academic advising jobs. I got a phone call from Kimmy Saul, who is the director of operations at A&M, but it was a phone number I didn’t know. I didn’t answer it, so she left me a voicemail saying she had a question for me about Texas A&M. I had no idea what she wanted, but then my first thought was, Oh my gosh, are they looking for a coach?

She told me she’d been put in charge of finding their next hunt seat coach, and it was so weird how it all worked out. They flew me out two days later for an interview and offered me the job on the spot.

Abby talking to a student
Photo courtesy of Abby O’Mara

What has been the biggest difference between coaching and being a student-athlete?

I work with the student-athletes much more hands-on now. Obviously, when you are an athlete, you have friends on the team, but being a coach I get to learn so much more about all these riders. Their passion is so strong. I love being in the ring with them every single day, seeing how much hard work they’re putting in and how it’s coming out. Seeing those results is really cool.

How did you establish the respect with your athletes even though you are close in age?

There hasn’t been much of an issue: The first thing I told them when I came in was that I’ve been in your shoes and I’ve done everything you’ve done. I’ve had the struggles and the success, so I told them if they think there’s a day I don’t know what they’re going through, they’re totally wrong. I told them that from day one, and we’ve had a great open relationship with a line of respect. I love having such a great relationship with all of them.

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Tagged under: Abby O’Mara, college, ncaa, texas a&m

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“There is no quick fix when it comes to horses,” said Samantha Wolfram, a 22-year-old equestrian professional. “You can’t flip a switch and the horse comes out broke and is easy to ride.” For most equestrians, this statement is a testament to the grit and reality of the horse business—there are no easy roads to establishing your career. But for Samantha, using her risk-taking, talent and ambition while riding and living abroad is helping set her up for success. 

Growing up an only child in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Samantha received her first pony at the age of 2 thanks to her mother, who was a horse trainer. “My mom got me a pony like what you see at the fair. However, he was a bad pony—or what I like to call ‘character building,’” she said. Her early start riding was a gift unto itself and by 5, Samantha was jumping crossrails. She was committed to riding until the age of 8, when another sport became her focus. “I was at an age where I wanted to fit in, and being a crazy horse girl did not help with being popular,” Samantha shared.

Get to know Samantha in her recent feature "Finding Success in America and Overseas." And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine. Link below!👇
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📸Photos by Kirsten Hannah, kirstenhannahphotography.com

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At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend t At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend to take it easy during his golden years. Inspired by his horse-loving wife, Cyndy, Barry is devoting his retirement to create “A Gathering Place” for anyone who needs one at their Stable View Equestrian facility in Aiken, South Carolina.

Barry and Cyndy have transformed their parcel of land, originally a quail-hunting lodge, into a facility that welcomes equestrians, corporate retreats, weddings, ecotourists and local community members. “This all came about through a fortuitous set of circumstances, with good partnerships, an open and welcoming community and, most of all, our willingness to go where the land led us,” Barry said.

Barry believes fate and good luck have played a big factor in Cyndy’s and his life. “We’ve been in the right place at the right time and fortunate enough to take the right fork in the road when there were choices,” he said. “As we’ve gotten older, we’ve felt it’s up to us to give back. We need to provide opportunities for people to use Stable View however they see fit.”

Keep reading at the link in our bio!!

📸Photo courtesy of Stable View

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
There’s no denying the intrinsic value of the Ke There’s no denying the intrinsic value of the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, Kentucky, in the 
world of equestrian sports. For so many event riders, this venue is an iconic destination that they 
dream about competing at, and I strongly believe it’s the perfect venue to host the American 
Eventing Championships (AECs). While I’m slightly biased because it’s my home event, I really 
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Read Liz’s full column in this months edition of Sidelines Magazine! And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines  for just $14.95 A YEAR. That’s less then $2.00 a month! What a deal!  Link in bio to read her full article right now!

 📸Photo by USEA

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