LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 7, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College riding team rounded out its 2010-11 campaign with a third place finish at the IHSA National Championship Horse Show this weekend. A total of 14 teams from around the nation competed in the event, which was hosted by Kentucky Horse Park.
Centenary College amassed 33 points en route to the High Point Championship in the Collegiate Cup Hunter Seat Team Division. Skidmore College and St. Lawrence University finished in a deadlock for second place with 22 points apiece, while Mount Holyoke grabbed third with 16.
Rounding out the field were the Savannah College of Art and Design (12), Bridgewater College (11), the University of Kentucky (11), Stanford University (9), St. Andrew's Presbyterian College (8), Delaware Valley College (7), Virginia Intermont College (7), Miami University of Ohio (7), the University of Wisconsin (5), the University of New Hampshire (4), Purdue University (1) and the University of Colorado (1).
The Lyons were paced by sophomore Paulina Erni, who contributed seven points with her first place finished in the walk-trot division. Senior Lindsay Sceats wrapped up her storied career with a third place showing in the open fences division. Meanwhile, sophomore Sally Gibb grabbed fourth place in the novice fences division, and first year Alexa Lohrer chipped in with a fifth place performance in the open flat division.
First year Bobbie Bigelow (intermediate flat), junior Jordan McMullen (novice flat), sophomore Allison O'Neill (intermediate fences) and senior Belinda Wenke (walk-trot-canter) also represented the Lyons in the team competition.
Individually, Lohrer (open flat) and senior Amanda Ross (walk-trot-canter) each collected reserve championships in their respective divisions. Junior Margaret Swanson finished fifth in the intermediate flat division and also competed in the intermediate fences division. Meanwhile, Wenke secured ninth place in the walk-trot division.
Senior JoJo Gutfarb took part in the prestigious Cacchione Cup Class, finishing 11th overall. After earning 77.5 points in the fences phase of the competition, she totaled 79 in the flat phase. Gutfarb had previously been crowned High Point Rider for both Zone 1 and Zone 1, Region 3.
