HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 25, 2012) – The Mount Holyoke College riding team kicked off the spring portion of its season with an outstanding performance at the University of Massachusetts Horse Show today. Led by sophomore Alexa Lohrer, the Lyons claimed their sixth High Point Championship with 34 points. Lohrer was named High Point Rider after winning her sections of the open fences and open flat divisions.
The competition took place at Hadley Farms and featured nine teams from around the region. Mount Holyoke was followed by UMass (32), Westfield State University (27), Smith College (18), Springfield College (18), Williams College (16), Amherst College (14), Hampshire College and Landmark College (1).
With three regular season shows remaining, the Lyons lead UMass by 33 points in the Zone 1, Region 3 standings.
Mount Holyoke finished the day with 11 blue ribbons. Senior Margaret Swanson earned Reserve High Point Rider honors after a first place showing in the open fences division.
Meanwhile, first year Callie Calder (walk-trot), senior Julia Graham (novice fences), senior Rebecca Hicks (novice flat), first year Abby Raucher (intermediate flat), first year Madeline Shortt (novice fences), senior Madeline Starbranch (walk-trot), senior Laura Tolosa (walk-trot-canter) and first year Heather Zadra (intermediate flat) also claimed top honors in their respective divisions.
With their performances today, Lohrer (open flat and open fences), Swanson (open flat and open fences), Hicks (novice flat), senior Brenna Cogswell (novice flat) and first year Hannah Thornton (open flat) each qualified for the Zone 1, Region 3 Regional Championships.
Cogswell was also named Novice High Point Rider.
The Lyons are slated to host their third home show of the season next Saturday.
