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LEXINGTON, Ky. - It was an outstanding day of action for the Mount Holyoke College riding team, which saw all three riders in the Collegiate Cup earn points, after day two at the 2016 IHSA National Championships. Friday's competition, hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park, saw the Lyons move into sole possession of second overall after sitting in 11th after day one.
The day opened on a strong note as sophomore Maddy Skrak (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia Prep) got things going in Collegiate Cup Intermediate Over Fences. Skrak had a strong opening ride and was one of four called back for testing. In the end, she placed fourth overall to earn valuable team points.
Next up was junior captain Bridget Finnerty (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr), who represented Zone 1, Region 3 in the Cacchione Cup Phase 1 Over Fences. Despite a strong ride, in a field of the country's most talented riders from each zone, Finnerty was unable to advance to the Flat phase.
Late in the afternoon, the Lyons were back in action with more team competition. In the Collegiate Cup Walk-Trot, sophomore Illianna Termuehlen (Wauwatosa, Wis./Brookfield East) had an outstanding ride to finish third overall in the event.
Following action in AQHA Novice Western Horsemanship, Mount Holyoke returned to the ring in Collegiate Cup Walk-Trot-Canter. Sophomore Sabrina Fox (Westfield, Mass./Westfield) put forth an amazing ride aboard Cazenovia College's Collins. Her name was the last one called in the ribbon ceremony as she earned the victory for Mount Holyoke.
With the outstanding effort on the day, the Lyons moved from 11th to second overall. MHC has 16 total points after two days of action, trailing the current leaders from Savannah College of Art and Design (26 points) by 10 total points. The University of Findlay sits in third with 13 points, followed by Centenary College in fourth (12 points) and the University of Kentucky (11 points).
The Lyons will conclude the hunt seat team action at this year's Nationals on Saturday beginning at 8am. Fans can follow the Lyons via live video at http://eqsports.net/. Note that the link does ask viewers to sign in, but it is a free service. Live results are also available HERE.
Photo courtesy of MHC riding team.
