AMHERST, Mass. (Nov. 3, 2012) – The Mount Holyoke College equestrian team had a number of outstanding efforts, but were edged in the final standings, finishing second overall at the Amherst Horse Show on Saturday. The Lyons came away with 33 points, just one shot of first, which was taken today by the UMass-Amherst squad.
Mount Holyoke overcame together on the day, overcoming multiple hurdles throughout the day and staying positive through it all. The open riders began the show in the bitter cold at Biscuit Hill Farm as junior Felicia Harrsch brought home MHC's first blue of the day in her section of open fences.
Junior Alexa Lohrer came in third in the event, while senior Allison O'Neill was sixth and sophomore Ila Addanki was reserve. The winning performances were continued in intermediate fences when sophomore Erinn Lew won her section. Teammate senior Clara Tate was fourth, sophomore Maura Zaldonis fifth and junior Flynn Vickowski finished sixth.
In novice fences, the blue streak just kept on going as senior Morgan Cooley finished first, while senior Isabelle McGovern received second. Sophomore Madeline Shortt was fourth, and sophomore Abby Raucher and first year Tilar Martin were both sixth in their sections. With her fourth place finish in novice fences, Shortt qualified for regionals.
After a short break, the action continued on the flat. In their respective sections of Walk Trot Canter senior Paulina Erni and first year Suyin Tauton were both first. Teammates sophomore Kathleen Kelly and first year Heather Armstrong were both reserve. Our Walk Trotters went one and two with first place going to sophomore Callie Calder and sophomore Katie Knutson taking second.
MHC continued its strong flat showing in novice flat where senior Clara Tate and first year Catherine Borgnis both won blues. Junior Emily Denisco was second, first year Genevieve Couldwell was third, and senior Jessica Law was fifth. The great rides continued in intermediate flat where Cooley and junior Ella Pittman won their sections, while McGovern was second, Addanki was fifth and Vickowski sixth.
MHC ended the day well with junior Eleanor Maynard and Lohrer bringing home the final blues of the day in open flat, followed by Harrsch in fourth, and O'Neill and sophomore Hannah Thornton in fifth. Morgan Cooley ended the day as overall high point rider. Her win in novice fences also qualified her for regionals in that division.
Final College Placings: 1st - University of Massachusetts - Amherst (34 points), 2nd - Mount Holyoke College (33 points), 3rd - Smith College (25 points), 4th - Amherst (23 points), 5th Williams College and Westfield State University (20 points), 7th - Springfield College (19 points), 8th - Hampshire College (7 points).
Photo courtesy of CJ Law. Story courtesy of Madeline Shortt.
