One student who recently graduated in New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences said she plans to continue pursuing her childhood passions, saddling up and riding toward her future – all thanks to NMSU’s equestrian team.
Montserrat Martinez Najera came to NMSU in 2021 to pursue an academic opportunity that involved horses.
“Since I was a little kid, I always liked horses,” said Martinez Najera, an animal science student, who graduated in spring 2023. “I started riding horses in Mexico when I was 7 years old. I was a barrel racer, and I also did escaramuza charra, which is a tradition in Mexico where you wear big dresses and big hats, and you show up with a horse and perform a routine. I always knew that I liked horses and that I wanted to work with them and become a vet, which is why I came to New Mexico State.”
Martinez Najera joined the equestrian team during her first semester at NMSU after meeting the team’s coach, Hannah Bilovesky. Martinez Najera also joined the NMSU Horseman’s Association, a student club in which members participate in equine-related activities and events throughout campus and the community.
“The equestrian team was a big team about 10 years ago, and even Hannah was part of it,” Martinez Najera said. “Unfortunately, in 2017, the program was shut down, and they had to stop. Hannah had decided to start it again, and she’s the one who really fought for it. She sent out an email saying that the equestrian team was coming back and invited everyone to join – and I thought, ‘Why not?’”
Although Martinez Najera was new to competitive horsemanship, she quickly learned the ropes. She spent much of her first year on the team developing her skills to become a stronger competitor. She ended her first season as the team’s “most improved rider.”
“Montserrat has grown a lot as a rider with our team,” Bilovesky said. “She had never ridden this type of event, horsemanship, but has been very willing to learn and worked very hard. She has been a very coachable rider and is always willing to work hard and keep progressing. She maintains a positive attitude even when she is pushed during practices.”
In 2022, the team picked Martinez Najera to serve as its captain, a role that allowed her to continuously support her team members. She also served as the president of the Horseman’s Association.
“I think the hardest thing about being a team captain is that different people react differently to situations,” she said. “I always try to check up on my teammates because I know a lot of different students have a lot of different problems – so I get it. If things get too difficult, I always turn to Hannah for advice.”
Martinez Najera is quick to point out the importance of building friendships and receiving support from family.
“It’s not easy to do all of it by yourself. If your family doesn’t have a background in horses or animals, it’s still OK because my family doesn’t have that background,” she said. “I am fortunate that my mom has gone to two of my competitions, and it’s nice that she’s been there since Day One. It’s especially nice to see other families support my team members.”
Bilovesky said Martinez Najera is one student who exemplifies the benefits of being on the equestrian team.
“The equestrian team here at NMSU allows students like Montserrat the opportunity to expand their skill set outside the classroom, compete and represent their university, and build a network of peers within the equine community that they can draw on after they finish their degree,” Bilovesky said.
A version of this story was first published in the spring 2023 issue of ACES Magazine. To read the issue, visit https://nmsu.news/ACES-Mag-Spring-2023.