Riding Claims High Point Title at Smith

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Oct. 10, 2009) – For the second week in a row, first year Allison O’Neill earned Intermediate High Point Rider honors to propel the Mount Holyoke riding team to a High Point Championship at the Smith College Intercollegiate Horse Show on Saturday. O’Neill claimed first place in her section of the intermediate fences division and later notched a third place finish in the intermediate flat division.

With their 37 points, the Lyons narrowly edged out the University of Massachusetts (35) for the team title. Rounding out the field were Amherst College (32), the College of the Holy Cross (28), Smith (27), Becker College (24), Assumption College (20), Westfield State College (19), Williams College (18), Hampshire College (15), Springfield College (13), Clark University (7) and Landmark College (1).

In addition to O’Neill, six other Mount Holyoke riders earned blue ribbons. That group included first year (walk-trot-canter), sophomore Jasmine Haddad (walk-trot-canter), first year Clara Tate (novice flat), sophomore Anne Tucker (walk-trot-canter), junior Belinda Wenke (walk-trot) and junior Allison Wood (beginner walk-trot-canter).

The Lyons will return to action next Saturday at the Amherst /Williams Horse Show.