NEXT RIDE: Lizzie van der Walde
With the 2018-19 season officially complete, it is time for Carolina to bid farewell to eight seniors, all of whom impacted the Gamecocks’ program in their own way. The end of their collegiate careers marks the beginning of a new journey, filled with countless opportunities. The Next Ride features will spotlight the seniors and their time at South Carolina. Forever to Thee.
Next up: Lizzie van der Walde. Van der Walde came to Carolina from Ann Arbor, Mich., and is now based out of Longboat Key, Fla. She was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks, competing on the Hunter Seat team in both Equitation on the Flat and Equitation Over Fences.
Graduation Date, Degree, Major(s):
May 10, 2019, Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management
What was your hardest class at Carolina?
The hardest class I took at Carolina was definitely financial accounting. That was probably the hardest I have ever studied.
How did you pick your major?
I picked business coming in, but wasn’t sure what I wanted my concentration to be. Honestly, I picked marketing because I’m not good with numbers so finance and accounting were definitely out. As I took more marketing classes I found that it’s something I am very interested in so I decided to pick it as my major. Adding a management major was one extra class and complements marketing well.
How did the Carolina Equestrian family help you during your academic career?
Carolina Equestrian helped me so much with my academics while at USC. I wasn’t the greatest student in high school so having so many resources available to me was amazing. Having access to tutors, amazing advisors, internships and professional development events was amazing. College is definitely hard enough and being an athlete on top of that can be overwhelming. I honestly don’t think I would have made it through without all of the support I received academically.
How did the Carolina Equestrian family help with your post-college career?
Everyone at Carolina has been so supportive of me during my four years. My advisors were incredible when it came to getting me in touch with people in my career field. Athletics provided me with networking and professional development events that have really helped me since I’ve graduated.
What competition will you remember most from your time as a Carolina Equestrian student-athlete?
I can’t pick one, but they are definitely beating No. 2 Georgia my sophomore year when it came down to the last point, and beating Texas A&M to advance to the flat finals at nationals this year. Those were both days I’ll never forget.
What’s the one phrase you’ll remember most from Coach Major/Terebesi/Sorrel?
“Shoot yourself out of a cannon on that lengthening,” – Boo
What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I am working for my sister’s digital marketing and management company right now. I would like to continue to work in marketing and work in the sports industry.
What’s your advice for young riders interested in joining the Carolina Equestrian program?
Do it! Being an athlete at an SEC school is an amazing experience and not something a lot of people can say they were. The support you receive by everyone in athletics while at Carolina is incredible and truly unmatched. Having 40 girls who are there for you no matter what, makes the transition to school so much easier and gives you an amazing support system no matter what.
