WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Mount Holyoke College riding team was back in action on Saturday as seven riders concluded the fall semester at the 2018-19 Holiday Tournament of Champions. The event, which was hosted by Otterbein University, saw the Lyons take fourth overall with 29 points.

The day opened with sophomore Sara Hearn in Open Fences, who had a great round to finish fourth. Junior Indra Rapinchuk-Souccar was next up in Intermediate Fences, laying down a gorgeous trip for the blue ribbon.

After a short schooling break, Hearn entered the ring again for the flat phase of the TOC Collegiate High Medal. She had a lovely ride, but unfortunately did not move on to the jumping phase.

After another schooling break, the show resumed with Novice Fences. First year Piper Lacy (who was making her TOC debut!) put in a wonderful ride, finishing fourth. Action then moved on to the sections of the TOC Collegiate Low Medal flat phase, where sophomore Libby Sams had a great ride but unfortunately did not progress to the fences phase.

After the fences phases of both medals, MHC resumed action with Rapinchuk-Souccar once again entering the ring for Open Flat, where she had a stunning ride for fifth place. Sophomore Sinead O'Sullivan competed next in Walk-Trot-Canter and had a lovely ride for fifth. She was followed by Lacy who rode beautifully in Intermediate flat for the blue ribbon.

Senior Jessica Feng immediately followed in Walk-Trot, where she had a gorgeous ride for second place. Rookie Sierra Dunn then wrapped up action for MHC in Novice Flat, where she had a wonderful ride but unfortunately finished just out of the ribbons.

At the end of the day, Mount Holyoke College finished in 4th place overall, just one point off of the tiebreaker for 2nd place.

Final College Results:

1. Savannah College of Art and Design - 44 points

2. Miami University - 30 points

3. Otterbein University - 30 points

4. Mount Holyoke College - 29 points

5. Delaware Valley University - 27 points

6. Ohio University - 26 points

7. Penn State Blue - 25 points

8. Goucher College - 23 points

The Lyons are now idle until January 26th when it opens the spring schedule at the Winter II Tournament of Champions event, hosted by Mary Washington in Fredricksburg, Virginia.

Show recap courtesy of Lyons rider, Sara Hearn. Photos courtesy of MHC Riding.