COOLVILLE, Ohio – The Mount Holyoke riding team headed to Stonegate Farm on Saturday, competing in the Holiday Tournament portion of the 2016-17 Tournament of Champions series. The Lyons saw a number of outstanding efforts on their way to finishing 10th overall.
Junior Mika McKinney was first in the ring on a tough draw in intermediate flat. She rode well for an eighth place finish. Senior Bridget Finnerty was next in the ring for a trip in open over fences. She had a nice ride in a strong class to finish fifth. Intermediate fences was next in the ring and saw a lovely trip from sophomore Emma Recchi to finish fourth.
After a brief break, the Lyons saw a string of riders compete back-to-back. First into the ring was first year Franny Eremeeva with a strong ride in the first section of the high medal flat phase. First year Sarah Etzel was next in the ring with a beautiful ride in walk-trot-canter to receive first place, followed by senior Cam Carter, who had a lovely ride in the second high medal flat phase.
MHC returned to the ring after several other classes to see junior Mollie Kowalchik ride well in open flat to post fourth place. Junior Taryn Isenburg was next in the ring for a nice ride in a section of the low medal flat phase. Sophomore Alexandra Friedman immediately followed with a sixth-place ride in walk-trot.
Kowalchik returned to the ring for the final flat phase of the high medal with a beautiful ride. While waiting for medal callbacks, the Lyons saw first year Harriet Thomson have a nice trip in novice fences to finish seventh.
Both Kowalchik and Eremeeva were called back for the jumping phase of the high medal. Eremeeva was first to return to the ring over fences and put in a solid trip to earn herself a tenth place finish in the large class. Kowalchik followed shortly after with a nice ride to earn herself a spot with five others in a callback for additional testing, which secured her a third place finish.
Junior Sabrina Fox wrapped up the day with a lovely ride in novice flat on a tougher draw to finish seventh.
Team Standings:
1) Liberty University- 41
2) Emory and Henry- 37
3) SCAD-31
4) Randolph College- 30
5) University of Findlay- 30
6) Penn State Blue- 23
7) Louisiana State University-22
8) Marist College- 18
9) Goucher College Gold-16
10) Mount Holyoke College- 16
Mount Holyoke is now idle for the holiday break, but returns to action on January 21st when it travels to Weyers Cave, Va., to compete in the Winter I Tournament of Champions event, which is the third leg of the 2016-17 Tournament of Champions series.
Photo courtesy of MHC riding. Show recap courtesy of Taryn Isenburg, MHC rider.
