Baylor EQ: Getting to Know Ella Peters

Mon May 20 13:18:42 CDT 2024

BAYLOR ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS – May 20, 2024

EQ: Getting to Know Ella Peters
Get to Know Baylor’s Equestrian Student-Athletes

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a Summer series allowing the Baylor fans to get to know some of the elite student-athletes on the equestrian team on BaylorBears.com.

A native of Bishopville, Md., senior Ella Peters has been a four-year member of the Baylor equestrian program. A 2022-23 team captain, Peters is a two-time member of the NCEA Academic Honor Roll and a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. She graduated from Decatur High School in Berlin, Md.

At what age did you begin competing in equestrian events?

Ella Peters: I was fortunate enough to be brought into a family that had my sister and I in the saddle at a young age. Growing up, we used to go on family trail rides on the weekend and decided to get more serious about the sport around the age of 10.

Why did you start competing in equestrian?

EP: As a child, my mom had a similar love for horses that she saw in both my sister and me. The timing never aligned for my mom’s childhood dreams to come to fruition so, she made it her goal to give my sister and I the experiences that she wished she could’ve had in her youth. I began my competitive career at our local 4-H fair and was eaten up with the sport! From there, we connected with trainers on the east coast to get my show career started.

What is your earliest memory of riding?

EP: My earliest memories of riding involve going on trial rides with my grandmother on the trails behind her home in Woodbine, MD, or riding around Patapsco Valley State Park. I used to love any chance we had to run through the fields and fondly remember asking my grandmother to “cantaloupe” as soon as we reached any open strip of grass; a mispronunciation of the gate “lope.”

Who is your inspiration in sports and why?

EP: On a personal level, I look up to my mom and grandmother. They instilled the love of the horse in my sister and I and never neglected to remind me to keep it fun.

In a broad sense, I admire the female athletes who have proven efficiency of a strong work ethic and a resilient mindset. I feel so grateful to be surrounded by so many incredible female athletes at Baylor who remind me of this daily.

Who is a collegiate or professional athlete whom you admire and why?

EP: A current collegiate athlete that I admire would be TCU Horsemanship Senior Jessica McAlister. Her work ethic and natural ability is unmatched. She is an incredibly humble athlete who pushes those around her to be the best they can be, in addition to always looking to further herself as a rider. I had the opportunity to ride under Robin Frid alongside Jessica for a majority of the 2021 show season. I learned so much from her in such a short amount of time that has impacted me significantly as both a person and rider. I am so grateful to call her a close friend in and out of the arena!

What family members have made the biggest impact on your life and why?

EP: I grew up on the eastern shore of Maryland under the roof of my parents, Gretchen and Scott, and alongside my younger sister, Sadie. Each member of my family has profoundly impacted my riding career in such a unique way.

My mom introduced the sport to my sister and I at a young age. Growing up, my mom was eaten up with horses but never had the opportunity to compete at a high level. She was determined to give my sister and I the opportunities that she did not have as a youth competitor. Early in my show career, I rode with a gentleman in Stockton, NJ, about three and a half hours north of our home in Maryland. I fondly look back on weekends my mom and I would take on the drive north for my weekly riding lesson. It was such a special time for us both and I am indescribably grateful for her unwavering support throughout my entire riding career.

My dad was my biggest cheerleader. Growing up, my dad had no exposure to horses but that did not stop him from being my biggest fan. Weather it was a good pattern or not, my dad never failed to tell me how proud he was of me and all my hard work. My dad was quick to become every trainer’s favorite parent over horseshow weekends as he always put a lot of heart into making sure everyone had a great time. His elaborate grill set up solidified this label every weekend.

Sadie has impacted my riding career in a specifically unique way. Growing up, Sadie and I never went head-to-head. She has a drive to compete in the more thrill-seeking events such as barrels, poles, and ultimately the reining, whereas I had a deeper appreciation for the elegance of horsemanship and all-round events. She did not start her show career until she reached high school, around when mine concluded. Although not riding in the same disciplines, her support was unwavering. She was an absolute trooper coming to the horse shows and helping as needed. Although not the most enjoyable for her, Sadie would ensure I was show ready, helping me get my makeup and hair together early mornings prior to show time. As she grew as a competitor, I had so much fun cheering her on and watching her succeed. She joined me this past year at Baylor as a freshman on the equestrian team. I have had so much fun watching her learn and grow as a collegiate athlete and cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

Although not in my immediate family, my grandmother, who I refer to as “Bam”, has played such a profound role in my riding career. She has supported me every step of the way and I am indescribably grateful for all she has done to get me to where I am today.

What are your strengths in your discipline? What are the areas you are currently trying to work on the most?

EP: Within my discipline, I excel in having a strong feel. I can easily sense what is going on under me but may not always be able to fix it as effectively as I would want. For sure room to grow her!

Why did you decide to attend Baylor?

EP: I was first welcomed to Baylor the fall of my junior year of high school and absolutely loved it. I was drawn to the kindness and drive of the people I met on my visit and saw Baylor as a place I could see myself thriving in. Although a corny remark, the aesthetic of the Brazos River sealed the deal for me. Growing up around the water, I couldn’t see myself being away from the water for such an extended period. Seeing the river run by campus affirm that Baylor would become my collegiate home.

What is your academic major and why did you select that major?

EP: This past December I concluded my BBA in Accounting and am currently working towards attaining my Master of Accountancy. Entering school, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in business, but I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like for me. Upon taking the introductory courses I feel in love with accounting and knew it was the path for me. I am excited to continue to grow on this path over the next year!

What are your career goals and why do you have an interest in pursuing that particular career?

EP: This upcoming summer, I will embark on an Audit internship with Deloitte in Austin. This will be my first work experience within the field so I am excited to jump in and learn about what a career in accounting could look like! Following graduation, I plan to attain my Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license, setting me up for whatever professional adventure may be next!

Have there been any big obstacles that you have had to overcome in your life? How did you overcome them and how did that experience help shape you?

EP: My junior year of high school, I had an accident where I fell off and broke my left shoulder. Although this incident was immaterial on its own, and I did not face any medical obstacles besides the recovery period, my relationship with horses drastically shifted. This accident led to an adversity within personal relationships where I had to overcome a lot of outside doubt to reach success. As a young girl in the sport, my perspective shifted to understanding that not everyone has the same intentions that my family does. I am grateful to have come out of this time as a stronger individual with a broader perspective.

What do you enjoy doing outside of equestrian and school?

EP: Outside of school and equestrian, I enjoy working-out, traveling, and spending time with those close to me.

Do you have any pets? What are their names and what role do they play in your life?

EP: In April 2023, I took a huge leap and got a corgi puppy, who I named Earl. Getting a dog while still in school has been something that I always swore I wouldn’t do, but somehow it has worked out for the best. Earl came into my life during a pretty emotional time when I was trying to figure out who I was and where I was headed next. I fully own that this was not the brightest idea, but it has been so much fun growing up with him this past year. I for sure have learned more than I ever expected to from this experience!

What is something most people might not know about you?

EP: Honestly, I feel like I am a pretty open book! I don’t think people know how much joy I get from the simple things in life such as sitting out on the porch on a nice night, a walk with friends, or even a good sunset. I probably don’t come off as simplistic as I would consider myself to be.

What would you most like to be known for as a Baylor student-athlete?

EP: As a Baylor student-athlete, I would like to be known for my ability to connect with others and for enhancing the experiences of those around me. I am sure my teammates will jokingly remember me as the person to throw a quick end of year tax question to, but I hope to be someone they can always count on or come to.

What advice would you give to a young girl who would like to one day be in your shoes?

EP: I don’t even know where to begin! If I could talk to my high school self, I would tell her to be open minded. In life, not just college, you are going to encounter people with different perspectives and attitudes and the best way to approach this is to be open minded. Secondly, I would ensure that she knew that nothing worth having comes easy. Be ready to work hard but know that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Lean into God’s plan and trust the process!

- BaylorBears.com -

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Brent Ingram | Assistant AD for Communications
Men’s Tennis Sport Program Administrator
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 210-845-8651

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