Durkin to join OSU women’s equestrian coaching staff

STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State women’s equestrian team has added Alle Durkin as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season, head coach Larry Sanchez announced on Thursday.

“We are excited to add coach Durkin to our staff,” Sanchez said. “She is driven, smart and a very hard worker. The addition of another coaching position is something we have needed for a long time, and I believe Alle Durkin is the right fit for our staff and Cowgirl family.”

In her role, she will work alongside second-year coach Carter Anderson as OSU’s second assistant jumping seat coach. Durkin comes to OSU from Texas A&M University, where she was a student-athlete under coach Tana McKay. In her tenure in College Station, Durkin contributed to Texas A&M’s 2022 NCEA reserve national championship run as a jumping seat rider.

“It’s an honor to join this program,” Durkin said. “They have an amazing coaching staff, riders, horses and facilities. I’m beyond excited to get started and get to work with this great team and see what we can accomplish this season and the future.”

Prior to her time at Texas A&M, Durkin trained under the tutelage of several leaders in the equestrian world, such as Kevin Babington and Kenny and Linda Langmeier. While working with Babington as a student worker, she developed skills in training and caring for top-level horses, along with gaining experience in business and equine management activities.

As a rider, Durkin placed in the top 20 at the 2019 North American Youth Championship, as well as earning the 2019 reserve champion title in the Medium Junior Jumpers. With top 10 finishes in consecutive years at both the Medal and Maclay Class and the 2018 Fieldstone Grand Prix, Durkin provides top level experience to the Cowgirls.

A native of Natick, Mass., Durkin spent three years on the NCEA Academic Honor Roll, as well as spending all four years on the Southeastern Conference Honor Role (201923). As a senior, Durkin earned Texas A&M’s Equestrian Distinguished Team Leader Award for the 2022-23 season, further highlighting her commitment to her teammates and the sport and will look to build on that commitment entering her time with the Cowgirls.