COOLVILLE, Ohio – It was a victorious start to the spring season for the Mount Holyoke College riding team on Saturday, as the squad claimed victory at the Winter I Tournament of Champions. The event, which was hosted by Ohio University at Stonegate Farm, saw the Lyons best the defending National Champions by 1-point for top honors.
Senior Maddy Skrak was the first MHC rider in the ring, putting in a beautiful round in Open Fences for third overall. Classmate Anna Rzchowski was next up in Intermediate Fences, earning second-place with a gorgeous ride.
Action then shifted to the flat classes, kicked-off by senior Mollie Kowalchik, who competed first in the High TOC Medal round and earned a call-back to the fences phase. Classmate Sabrina Fox followed in the flat phase of the Low TOC Medal with a wonderful ride to earn herself an invite to the jumping phase as well.
Fox then entered the ring again for Intermediate Flat, posting a dazzling ride for second overall. Flat continued with sophomore Sarah Etzel earning the blue ribbon in Walk Trot Canter. Classmate Indra Rapinchuk-Souccar was next in Novice Flat, putting forth a great ride to finish fourth.
Sophomore Wenjie Li then entered the ring in Walk Trot for her TOC debut. She had a solid ride and earned fifth place. To finish the flats, sophomore Franny Eremeeva had a stunning ride in Open Flat for the win.
Heading into the last team class, Mount Holyoke was in the lead by two points. It was a tight race, but Fox secured the win with a beautiful round in Novice Fences, earning fourth.
With the team competition completed, action moved on to the jumping phases of both medal classes. Fox put in another lovely fences round, ultimately finishing sixth in Low TOC Medal. Kowalchik concluded the day with a great fences round to earn fifth in the High TOC Medal.
Team Results:
1. Mount Holyoke College - 36
2. Savannah College of Art and Design - 35
3. Goucher College - 29
4. Penn State University Blue - 27
5. Penn State University White - 26
6. Ohio State University Team B - 24
7. West Virginia University - 24
8. Ohio State University Team A - 23
9. Ohio University - 22
10. University of Delaware – 21
The Lyons are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Hardeesville, South Carolina to compete in the Winter II Tournament of Champions event, the final show in the series of four. Hosting this year's event at the Ronald Waranch Equestrian Center (home of SCAD Equestrian) is Savannah College of Art and Design. Action kicks-off at 8am.
