Averett University’s equestrian competition teams – the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team – competed over the weekend in Winston-Salem and Blacksburg respectively, both walking away with high placements.
With an amazing start to the season, the IDA team placed first at Wake Forest University on October 2. Individual first place ribbons were earned by senior Amanda Arnold with a score of 69.84 percent, and junior Kristen Kelley with a score of 73.25 percent.
The day started strong in First Level with Arnold riding her way into first place with a score of 69.84 percent. Senior, and co-captain, Hannah Walters showed that she can perform well in the hunter and dressage ring by earning third place with a score of 65.91percent. The next division was Upper Training, where senior Kasey Toth fought hard and took the fourth place ribbon with a 64.80 percent. Her teammate, senior Jess Stipic, also put on a good ride and received eighth place with a score of 60.00 percent.
Later, Kelley demonstrated true talent in the Lower Training division by earning first place with a score of 73.25 percent. Also in this division, junior Natalie Ringel had an excellent ride and took fifth place with a score of 66.75 percent. Intro was the last division of the day and sophomore Jessica Allanson was able to grab the fifth place ribbon with 63.12 percent. Senior Megan Grimes, who also rode in this division, took third place with a score of 69.68 percent. Also, on mixed team C, Walters and Ringel both earned third place.
With the conclusion of the show, Averett brought home the blue with a first place finish. Kelley also went on to receive Reserve High Point Rider of the day. IDA’s next competition will be a two-day show at North Carolina State University in Raleigh on November 5 and 6.
Continuing their strong performance, the IHSA team tied for second with Emory and Henry College at their second show of the season, which was hosted by Virginia Tech on October 1. The Cougars had incredible rides and were able to take home four first-place ribbons, three second-place ribbons, three third-place ribbons, three fourth-place ribbons, and one sixth-place ribbon.
The riders that received blue ribbons include seniors Hannah Walters, Amanda Schoenfeld and Amanda Arnold, and junior Natalie Ringel. The riders helped Averett stay even with Virginia Tech and Emory and Henry College throughout the whole show.
Walters, a co-captain, started the day off well in the Open Flat, riding strong and earning first place. In the next class, freshman Allison Wulin rode well in Walk/Trot and earned fourth place in her first show of the season. Walters rode again in the next class, Open over Fences, and received fourth place. Next up was junior Kristen Kelley who fought hard and earned a second in Intermediate Flat and Intermediate over Fences. In Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter, Ringel continued her winning streak from last week’s show with a first place ribbon.
In the next division, the other co-captain, Schoenfeld, not only took first place in Novice Flat but also pointed out of her division and will be headed to regionals later in the year. Arnold followed strong, also receiving first place in her Novice Flat class. Freshman Ally Febbo rode well in her first show of the season and got sixth place in Novice Flat. Novice over Fences was the next class and Averett’s riders junior Joshua Boggs, freshman Taryn Spore, and Febbo all showed they deserved to be in the ring, all taking third place in their individual classes. To conclude the successful show day, in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter, sophomore Colleen Shea-Hackett stayed strong, placing fourth and sophomore Abby Lackey took second.
Shows like this demonstrate that hard work truly does pay off. Averett ended strong in a tie with Emory and Henry College for Reserve Champion. The next IHSA show will be October 8 at Wake Forest University.
