NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Oct. 8, 2011) – Led by sophomore Alexa Lohrer and first year Madeline Shortt, the Mount Holyoke College riding team sprinted to a High Point Championship today at the Smith College Intercollegiate Horse Show. The Lyons took home 10 blue ribbons on their way to a score of 41. They finished in a deadlock with the University of Massachusetts Amherst at the top of the standings.

Smith posted 34 points to secure Reserve High Point Honors. Meanwhile, Westfield State University (21), Springfield College (18), Amherst College (12), Williams College (9), Landmark College (8) and Hampshire College (1) rounded out the field.

Lohrer was named High Point Rider after grabbing first place in her section of the open fences division and second place in her open flat class. She narrowly edged our Shortt, who finished the day as both the Reserve High Point Rider and the Novice High Point Rider. Shortt was the top rider in her class of the novice fences division. She also produced a second place result in the novice flat division.

Sophomore Sarah Clinchy (beginner walk-trot-canter), junior Paulina Erni (walk-trot), junior Sally Gibb (novice fences), senior Jasmine Haddad (novice fences), sophomore Felicia Harrsch (intermediate flat), senior Jordan McMullen (novice flat), first year Hannah Thornton (open flat) and sophomore Flynn Vickowski (novice flat) also earned blue ribbons for Mount Holyoke.

With their performances today, Gibb (novice fences) and McMullen (novice flat) each qualified for the Zone 1, Region 3 Regional Championships.

The Lyons are slated to host their first home show of the year next Saturday.