HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2011) – Led by sophomore Ella Pittman, the Mount Holyoke College riding team cruised to its third straight High Point Championship today at the University of Massachusetts Horse Show. Pittman was named High Point Rider after winning her sections of the intermediate fences and novice flat divisions.

The competition took place at Hadley Farms and featured nine teams from around the region. Mount Holyoke racked up 37 points to secure the title. Westfield State University claimed Reserve High Point honors with 27 points. The Owls were followed by Smith College (25), UMass (22), Williams College (14), Amherst College (14), Springfield College (10), Landmark College (6) and Hampshire College (4).

With its performance today, Mount Holyoke extended its cushion in the Zone 1, Region 3 standings to 30 points over UMass.

The Lyons finished the day with eight blue ribbons. In addition to Pittman, senior Hadley King (beginner walk-trot-canter), sophomore Alexa Lohrer (open flat), junior So Jin Lee (walk-trot), junior Allison O'Neill (open flat), first year Madeline Shortt (novice fences) and sophomore Flynn Vickowski (novice fences) each claimed top honors in their respective classes.

Reserve High Point Intermediate Rider honors went to senior Jordan McMullen. Meanwhile, Shortt claimed the Reserve High Point Novice Rider accolades.

Mount Holyoke will be off until Saturday November 12, when it travels to Shelburne Falls, Mass. for the Amherst Horse Show.

Photo by Doug Keller