Sophomore Summer: Shira Hornstein of Equestrian

Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2021 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers" presented by Cape Air.

This installment focuses on Shira Hornstein of the Dartmouth equestrian team. A native of Westwood, Massachusetts, the rising-junior was honored as a member of the IHSA All-Academic Team as well as an Academic Ivy Equestrian recipient for her work in the classroom.

DartmouthSports.com: What have you been doing during your sophomore summer?
Shira Hornstein: This summer I'll be spending my non-class time working in Professor Romano's epidemiology lab as a part of the presidential scholars project. During my other free time I'm hoping to spend a lot of time hanging out and riding at Morton farm with my teammates.

DS: What is your favorite place on campus?
SH: I love the greenhouse in the Life Sciences Center. It's such a nice place to hang out or study and it's the best place on campus to get some sunshine on a rainy day.

DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
SH: Dartmouth actually doesn't recruit for the equestrian team, and everyone has to try out for the team. But the equestrian team was a huge draw in my college search as it had the best riding program of the schools I applied to. I also loved (former head coach) Sally Batton when I met her when I visited campus, and she was also a huge draw for me.

DS: If you could swap places with one teammate, who would it be and why?
SH: I would swap places with Sue Mohieldin, not only because she has been such an amazing role model and friend to me and is a super driven and successful student, but she's also been to a crazy number of Beyoncé concerts and has met Queen B herself.

DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
SH: I grew up playing field hockey and I loved it. So, if I couldn't ride (and was good enough at field hockey), I would want to play that.

DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
SH: I'm really passionate about public health and access. I'm hoping to find a way to combine my interests in government and biology in this field when I graduate.

DS: If you participate in any service activities, what are they and how did you get involved?
SH: This summer I'm going to be a SEAD mentor. I really enjoy working with younger kids/teens, so I'm excited to mentor high school students.

DS: Other than your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life?
SH: I have an older brother named Sam. He has always been my biggest role model and greatest friend. He's always been a constant friend and influence in my life and I'm super lucky to have a great relationship with him.

DS: Who would play you in the movie of your life?
SH: An actress to play me in a movie about my life is a tough one, but I guess I'd pick early 2000s Anne Hathaway. It has to be Princess Diaries Anne Hathaway, though. I think she'd play me well.

DS: What has been your best on-field memory thus far in your Dartmouth career?
SH: My first ever show at Dartmouth I won both my classes, jumping and flat, so I was high point rider ("champion") of the whole show. After I won my first class, my whole team came up and hugged me and it was such an amazing feeling of being a part of the team and having such a supportive group.

DS: How is Hanover different or similar to where you grew up?
SH: I grew up in Westwood, Massachusetts, so similar in many ways to Hanover. Hanover is much more rural than my home. Also, I grew up going to camp in southern New Hampshire, so in a lot of ways Hanover feels familiar.

DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
SH: I'd buy a horse (or more than one) hands down

DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
SH: Great question. Still working on that, but I'd love to do something with health in government.

DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
SH: Care less about what other people think and practice a lot.

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