Mandy Griffey receives 2012 Atkinson Achievement Award

6/13/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Mandy Griffey of Oak Grove, Mo., is the 2012 Atkinson Achievement recipient at William Woods University.

The Atkinson Achievement Award is given annually to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most growth as a rider and horseperson while at WWU. Her improvement as a rider was recognized by the entire equestrian faculty.

A December 2011 graduate, Griffey is now assistant trainer for Ann Judge Wegener Training Stables, home of Thunder, the Denver Bronco’s mascot that is ridden on the field at Mile High Stadium during NFL celebrations.
 
“I observed first-hand her dedication to learning and overwhelming desire to improve, not just a rider, but as an industry professional,” Jennie Petterson, assistant professor of equestrian studies, said in recognizing Griffey.
 
“Never a student to get frustrated, she had an amazing ability to ask the right questions and then seek out specific opportunities to help herself improve. Her positive attitude and tireless nature made her not only a standout in any riding class, but an outstanding horsewoman.”
 
She added, “With minimal exposure to the competitive world of horse shows, Mandy left WWU having ridden reining horses, youngsters, show horses of every conceivable breed and many retraining projects. She and I worked together to start a WWU western horse in harness, and she worked with a new donation in her applied groundwork course.