Ten members of the equestrian team at California State University, Fresno will represent the school in the 2002 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

The Fresno State team is the only Central California participant invited to join in the 113th Rose Parade, which features floats, bands and equestrian groups.

“It is an honor to be selected to participate in the Rose Parade,” said equestrian team head coach Megan McGee. “There were several hundred applicants from horse groups and only 26 were accepted. And Fresno State is the only college or university-related group among the equestrians,” she said.

It is the second time Fresno State’s equestrians have been invited; their previous appearance was in 1998.

McGee said the student-athletes who expressed interest in the parade handled the application process. Now they are seeking sponsors and raising funds to cover the anticipated $10,000 in expenses for themselves, their horses and a support crew.

The group will travel to Pasadena on Dec. 28 and participate in exhibitions and drill performances outside the Rose Bowl on Dec. 29 and 30.

On Jan. 1, the student-athletes and horses join the parade formation at 1 a.m. The first parade group starts down Colorado Boulevard at 8 a.m. The team will return to Fresno after the parade.

“The Rose Parade is a tremendous experience for our team,” said McGee. “We had a positive response from people who came to the exhibitions and from the parade crowd during our 1998 appearance. It is great exposure for Fresno and Fresno State.”

The Rose Parade equestrian unit members from Fresno State are:

Tiffany Washington (marshal), sophomore, Costa Mesa

Andrea Crisp, sophomore, Merced

Rena Miller, junior, Oakhurst

Shannon Morrison, sophomore, Fresno

Ida Ridgeway, senior, Colorado Spring, CO

Kelly Sansom, junior, Clovis

Kirsten Spencer, sophomore, Tollhouse

Michelle Tonello, sophomore, Santa Paula,

Megan Wagner, junior, Fullerton

Emilie Wentworth, sophomore, Cottonwood

Fresno State is one of only nine Division I universities in the nation to sponsor equestrian as a varsity sport. Fresno State’s all-female equestrian team was formed five years ago and now has 97 members. Currently, the team’s English riders, who compete in the Miller Cup standings, and Western riders, who compete in American Quarter Horse Association standings, are high-point leaders.

For information about the team, sponsorships or donations, call McGee at 278-8385.