HADLEY, Mass. – The Mount Holyoke College riding team had an outstanding day of action at the UMass Show on Saturday, finishing first overall in the event, which was held at Hadley Farm. The Lyons battled through snowflakes and strong winds to take home the victory with 43 points.

The day kicked-off with open fences as junior captain Bridget Finnerty took home the blue ribbon, while sophomore Mollie Kowalchik was sixth. First year Grace Tice had a tough first draw, but was granted a re-ride and ended up placing fifth.

Intermediate fences saw first year Julia Robinson take the win in the first section while senior Laura Von der Porten placed fourth in the second section. MHC had an excellent showing in novice fences as senior Suyin Taunton placed second in her section and first year Daisy Sears and sophomore Haley Lamoureux each brought home a blue in their respective sections.

The alumni fences class once again had Tara Mathews and Ila Addanki representing MHC.  Mathews was first and Addanki was second. On the flat, Courtney Findeisen, our strength and conditioning coach from Springfield College, joined the group.  Mathews and Addanki were first and second again, with Findeisen coming in fourth.

Switching up the usual order, we started the flat portion of the day with our walk-trotters. Sophomore Wendy Ho placed first in the first section. In the second section, junior Katia Kiefaber, and senior Stephanie Lewis placed fourth and second, respectively.

Next up, the novice flatters took to the ring. Junior Ellie Demmons was fourth in the first section, while Jackie Azelby and Lamoureux swept their class with first and second, respectively. In the final section, Taunton placed fifth.

In intermediate flat, Von der Porten had a horse who decided it was done for the day and she was granted a re-ride. After the switch, she won the class. Sears was fourth in the next section.

Open flat had only one section today as Tice placed second and sophomore Maddy Skrak placed fourth. Finnerty rounded out the class with a sixth place ribbon.

Walk-trot-canter brought the day to a close. In the beginner section, junior Emily Tarantini won her class. In the advanced section, sophomore Cat Lamond and first year Maggie Stuart were first and fifth, respectively.

Lamoureux's first and second place ribbons landed her in the ride-off for overall high point honors. She ended the day as overall high point rider and novice high point rider. Von der Porten also received intermediate reserve high point honors for her placings today.

The final team results are as follows:

    MHC - 43

    UMass - 32

    Smith - 28

    Amherst - 27

    Westfield State - 15

    Williams - 10

    Springfield - 8

    Hampshire - 7

    Bennington - 2

Next weekend MHC hosts the final regular season show this fall next Saturday starting at 9am at the MHC Equestrian Center.

Photos courtesy of CJ Law (Bottom Photo) and Carol V. Law (Cover Photo), MHC Equestrian