New equestrian coach

Becky Malmo, who has been active in the sport of equestrian for more than 25 years, is the new head coach of the Fresno State equestrian team.

"We are very pleased to have someone of Becky's experience join our staff," said Scott Johnson, director of Athletics. "She brings a wealth of administrative experience, a wonderful educational background, great organizational skills and the competitive spirit of a world-class rider to the program. Becky has a great vision for the program and I believe will help our traditionally strong equestrian program grow and reach new heights."

Malmo 's vast experience includes serving as the equestrian coach at L.A. Pierce College from 1983-84 and working at a large Southern California equine veterinary clinic, where she assisted veterinarians for the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games. As a coach, she has recruited and selected riders for English and Western events.

She has taught vocational courses in veterinary science and moved into an administrative position where he managed and directed academic and vocational programs, plant maintenance, budget preparation and directed both office and instructional staff members. From there, Malmo continued her administrative experience serving in the Simi Valley Unified School District and was an assistant principal at Royal High School in Simi Valley from 1999-2001.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Malmo said. "The Fresno State program has such great potential and I'm looking forward to being a Bulldog and building a program that will be an integral part of the campus community and the Valley. I've always had a great passion for horses and I've been a competitive rider in both English and Western, so this is an opportunity that is very exciting."

She is a member of the American Paint Horse Association, the Central California Paint Horse Club, the American Quarter Horse Association, the California Association of Quarter Horse Exhibitors and is the co-chair of the 2005 California State 4-H Horse Leadership conference.

Malmo has been a competitive rider since her college days as an English and Western rider. She recently placed in the top five in two events and the top 10 in two others at the 2004 World Championships Paint Horse Show in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Malmo earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cal Lutheran in 1978, a masters of Arts from Cal Lutheran in 1991, a Juris Doctorate from Ventura College of Law in 1996 and is currently enrolled in the Fresno State/UC Davis Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership.

She replaces Chuck Smallwood, who coached the women's equestrian team at Fresno State for one year, who resigned his position June 28, 2004. Trista Armstrong, who served as the interim head coach, will remain on the staff as an assistant coach.

Malmo and husband, John, have three daughters, Cheyanne, Caitlin and Maddie, who are all avid riders.