2008 Woodie Awards
Riding team deals with change, loss
Emma Axt
Issue date: 1/24/07 Section: News
It has been a rocky ride for the Washington and Lee riding team over the past three years. When last year's coach, Amy Reistrup, passed away this past summer, it became clear that this year would be no exception. The tragedy left the team without a coach once again, but it was Reistrup's husband, Gordon, who helped keep the team together.
This fall, Gordon Reistrup took over his wife's position as coach of the W&L riding team. He thought it was the right thing to do since the team needed someone with experience, and who understood what the job entailed.
"I did not want what Amy had done [with the team] to go to waste," said Mr. Reistrup, "I wanted to continue [her] legacy." Gordon and Amy had been together for almost 20 years and married for 16 when she lost her brief battle with cancer last July. The couple had attended and rode at the University of Virginia together.
Team Co-Captain Kiltie Tompkins '07 (Brittany Bansak '07 and Lilly Haywood '08 are also co-captains) and the rest of the team feared that losing Amy meant the team would no longer exist. Tompkins was glad when Mr. Reistrup stepped up and took over as coach.
"We love Gordon," Tompkins said. "It's been a rough three years with all of the transitions. "[Amy was a new coach last year] and she led us to our first ever ODAC championship. When she passed away, we were all uncertain if we would even have a team. But Gordon stepped up, and he's been unbelievable."
Haywood also expressed that the team is very fortunate to have Mr. Reistrup as a coach this year. They miss Amy a lot, but are very grateful that Gordon took on the job. She said that he has really helped bring in good horses for the team to use.
"Amy was a fabulous coach, probably the best coach with whom I have ever ridden, and we all miss her every day," Haywood said. "[But] I love Gordon and I think he is doing a fabulous job. He's done a good job getting the athletic department to fully support us."
This fall, Gordon Reistrup took over his wife's position as coach of the W&L riding team. He thought it was the right thing to do since the team needed someone with experience, and who understood what the job entailed.
"I did not want what Amy had done [with the team] to go to waste," said Mr. Reistrup, "I wanted to continue [her] legacy." Gordon and Amy had been together for almost 20 years and married for 16 when she lost her brief battle with cancer last July. The couple had attended and rode at the University of Virginia together.
Team Co-Captain Kiltie Tompkins '07 (Brittany Bansak '07 and Lilly Haywood '08 are also co-captains) and the rest of the team feared that losing Amy meant the team would no longer exist. Tompkins was glad when Mr. Reistrup stepped up and took over as coach.
"We love Gordon," Tompkins said. "It's been a rough three years with all of the transitions. "[Amy was a new coach last year] and she led us to our first ever ODAC championship. When she passed away, we were all uncertain if we would even have a team. But Gordon stepped up, and he's been unbelievable."
Haywood also expressed that the team is very fortunate to have Mr. Reistrup as a coach this year. They miss Amy a lot, but are very grateful that Gordon took on the job. She said that he has really helped bring in good horses for the team to use.
"Amy was a fabulous coach, probably the best coach with whom I have ever ridden, and we all miss her every day," Haywood said. "[But] I love Gordon and I think he is doing a fabulous job. He's done a good job getting the athletic department to fully support us."
Be the first to comment on this story