Mirarchi Leads Riding to Fifth Overall After Day One of IHSA National Championships

Harrisburg, Pa. - May 5, 2022 - The Mount Holyoke College riding team put forth an impressive performance on the first day of the IHSA National Championships, as the Lyons are currently in fifth place out of 16 teams competing at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex this weekend.

The Lyons totaled 13 points on the day behind a pair of impressive performances from sophomore Emmie Mirarchi (Harvard, Mass.). Mirarchi totaled all 13 points on the day for Mount Holyoke, picking up a second-place finish in the Collegiate Cup Limit Equitation Over Fences before following it up with a fifth-place finish in the Collegiate Cup Limit Equitation on the Flat.

Starting off the day, Sara Hearn (Tallahassee, Fla.) competed in the Individual Open Equitation Over Fences and delivered an eighth-place finish. Next was Mirarchi in the Collegiate Cup Limit Equitation Over Fences, where the sophomore and two other riders needed extra testing to determine a winner. After the additional testing, Mirarchi was the runner-up in the class, delivering eight points for the Lyons.

After clearing the ring, Sierra Dunn (Florence, Mass.) competed in the Individual Intermediate Equitation on the Flat and took fifth overall, before Mirarchi came back for the Collegiate Cup Limit Equitation on the Flat. Mirarchi put forth an impressive effort resulting in a fifth-place finish and earning five more points for the Lyons

Next up for Mount Holyoke was first-year Marlene Healey (Coventry, Conn.) competing in the Individual Novice Equitation on the Flat. Healey delivered a beautiful ride that resulted in a third-place finish at her IHSA Nationals debut.

Hearn then returned to the ring for the Individual Open Equitation on the Flat, where she took eighth overall before Kristina Lester (West Suffield, Conn.) took part in the Collegiate Cup Intermediate Equitation on the Flat to wrap up the day for the Lyons.

Action will resume on Friday, May 6, as Dunn will kick off the day with Collegiate Cup Intermediate Equitation Over Fences before Hearn begins Cacchione Cup competition.

Team Results After Day One

1. Emory & Henry College - 23
2. St. Lawrence - 16
2. Sweet Briar College - 16
2. Miami University - 16
5. Mount Holyoke - 13
6. College of Charleston - 11
7. Otterbein University - 10
8. Vermont - 8.5
9. LIU Post - 7
10. University of South Carolina - 5.5
11. Centenary University - 0.5
12. SCAD - 4
13. Purdue University - 4
14. Penn State - 3
15. Stanford - 2
16. West Texas A&M - 0