Equestrian student receives final tribute

Friends remember Shana Eriksson, 18, as someone who always ‘kept a positive attitude’

By Tracey Robertson

Shana Eriksson’s love for life was contagious. Whether knowing her for two months or almost two decades, her family and friends couldn’t help but catch the love.

Eriksson, 18, was remembered for her kindness, ambition and optimism during a campus memorial service Tuesday. The freshman equestrian team member died Sept. 27 after a horseback riding accident on campus.

“ Shana had a massive competitive spirit,” said Karan Eriksson, Shana’s mother, from her home in Tahoe City, Calif., where Shana was born and raised. “Everything she did, she ate up and did 100 percent.”

Shana Eriksson’s drive to succeed at the sport she loved started early, her mother said. She began riding at the age of 4 and had her own pony by the time she was 6.

“ There was never a time when she didn’t want to do this,” Karan Eriksson said. “From the time she was small, Shana knew what to do to achieve her goals.”

Shana Eriksson was an award-winning rider with her sights set on the 2008 Olympics.

Riding for Fresno State was an important part of the dream Shana Eriksson pursued so tirelessly.

“ Shana went to Fresno to ride for an NCAA team,” Karan Eriksson said. “Once she got something in her mind, there was no stopping her. I couldn’t help but be excited for her.”

Despite her age and status as a newcomer to Fresno and the team, Shana Eriksson was a natural leader and motivator, her friends said. Her favorite saying was, “that’s so great.” And she used it often—even when things were challenging. Friend and team member Kasey McFarlane spoke during Tuesday’s event.

“ There are no words to describe Shana’s unique personality,” McFarlane said. “She always made us feel better when we were homesick and kept a positive attitude, even when she was missing family and friends.”

McFarlane was riding with Shana Eriksson when the accident occurred.

Teammate Sarah Farley, who was also with Shana Eriksson at the time of the accident, called her friend a teacher to everyone and someone who wanted to help others as often as possible.

“ She really was all about everyone else,” Karan Eriksson said, recalling the hours her daughter spent as a summer Pony Camp counselor and cheerleader for North Tahoe High School, where Shana graduated from.

As someone with a rare blood type, Shana Eriksson was a frequent blood donor, giving as often as she could, even during the short time she lived in Fresno, Karan Eriksson said.

The spirit of Shana Eriksson will live on long after the memorials and tributes have ended. Embodying her older sister’s passion and drive, Shana Eriksson’s younger sister Mia continues to work with Shana’s horses. Mia is already a standout in her age group.

A video montage of Shana Eriksson played during the campus memorial gave friends, teammates, and community members, the chance to see Shana Eriksson from her family’s perspective. Clips of a young Shana riding her horse, skiing, celebrating her birthday and waving to her father told the story of a short life lived to the fullest and full of love.

“ As a parent, you put all you have into your children,” Karan Eriksson said.“If you’re lucky, they will set their own goals, develop their own dreams and you end up, like we did, with great kids.”