BROOKINGS – South Dakota State equestrian coach Ellie Wilkins announced Monday the hiring of Logan Pluhar as the new assistant coach for the Jackrabbit program.

"I'm excited for the opportunity and am ready to get down to work," Pluhar said. "This program shows a lot of promise and I can't wait to work alongside the experienced staff and head coach Ellie Wilkins to take this team to new heights."

Pluhar will take over the reins of the Western team sharing her knowledge of both Horsemanship and Reining.

The Canyon, Texas, native brings in experience after serving as a volunteer western coach for the Texas A&M equestrian team assisting alongside their Horsemanship coach Jessie Weisinger. She was also a member of the coaching staff that lead the team to become the 2017 NCEA Champions.

"We are very excited about adding Logan to our team," Wilkins said. She has extensive knowledge in both western disciplines and the skills she developed from Texas A&M will without a doubt help her succeed at this job. I am looking forward to working with her and we are glad she has joined the Jackrabbit family."

Pluhar graduated in 2016 from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management in addition to being a four-year letterwinner while competing in both Horsemanship and Reining.

Aside from collegiate coaching, Pluhar was an equestrian team camp instructor, head coordinator of volunteers for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup and the assistant trainer for the Bud Lyon Performance Horses.