Riding Earns Reserve Championship at Amherst

SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass. (Oct. 24, 2009) – The Mount Holyoke College riding team claimed Reserve High Point honors at the Amherst College Intercollegiate Horse Show on Saturday at Biscuit Hill Farm in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Leading the way for the Lyons was Allison O’Neill, who claimed Reserve Intermediate High Point Rider accolades. The first year secured first place in her section of the intermediate fences division and later placed second in her class of the intermediate flat division.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst piled up 47 points en route to its first High Point Championship of the season. Mount Holyoke was next with 41 points, and Smith grabbed third place with 38 points. The College of the Holy Cross (28), Williams College (25), Becker College (24), Amherst (23), Westfield State College (19), Hampshire College (17), Clark University (10), Springfield College (9) and Landmark College (2) rounded out the 12 team field.

In addition to O’Neill, five other Lyons earned blue ribbons. That group included senior Ashley Burka (beginner walk-trot-canter), junior Lindsay Sceats (open fences), senior Stephanie Tagliatela (novice flat), first year Clara Tate (novice fences) and junior Belinda Wenke (walk-trot).

The Mount Holyoke College Intercollegiate Horse Show is slated to take place at the Equestrian Center on Saturday, November 7.