The Seton Hill University (SHU) Women’s Equestrian team took home top honors as Highpoint Team of the day at Slippery Rock University’s (SRU) IHSA horse show Sunday. With 36 points, the team beat the 13 other competitors.
“We had a great show at SRU. You know you’re always going to have tough competition with the host team who’s not only comfortable with the facility but also a lot of the horses, SRU performed well all day but our girls were on their game,” said Alexandra Kemp-Thompson, the team’s Public Relations manager.
“Winning this show puts us in an excellent position for the overall season- none of the girls left with less than third place, and those points give us a good shot at first place this year,” said Molly Follmer, senior and captain of the team.
The team is only two points from their top competitor, West Virginia University (WVU).
“It’s still really early in the season but with two shows under our belt we are sitting comfortably in second place. WVU is always hard to beat, I think the right competition is good for us, makes us want to work for it even more you know,” said Kemp-Thompson, a senior.
Kemp-Thompson racked up 11 team points with her 1st place finish in the Open Equitation Over Fences and 3rd place in Open Equitation on the flat. Sophomore Juliana Caffrey followed with consecutive finishes adding 9 team points with a 3rd in the Novice Equitation Over Fences and a 2nd in the Intermediate on the Flat. With her 2nd place finish Caffrey will qualify for Regionals come March and point up into the Open on the Flat.
Also qualifying for Regionals is senior Erica McCarthy, putting in a solid ride and a 2nd place finish in the Novice on the Flat. She will point up into Intermediate on the Flat. Junior Sitler had a consistent day with two 3rd place finishes in both Novice classes and adding 4 points to the team total.
“This is our year. We are nationals bound. This year we have the drive, the talent, and most importantly the teamwork to get there,” said Sitler, co-captain of the team.
From there things just kept on rolling for the Griffins as sophomore Caitlin Henzey picked up a win and 7 team points in her Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter class. Also pointing her up into the Novice on the Flat, and qualifying her for Regionals.
The teams walk/trot/canter classes were filled with 3 freshman who all had an excellent showing; Brooke Hebrank was 2nd in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter, Ashley Dunlop was 3rd & Abigail Burkardt was 2nd in her Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter class.
To finish off sophomores Lauren DeCarli and Elaina Moorehead excelled in the Walk/Trot division with DeCarli claiming 2nd adding 5 team points to the scoreboard and Moorehead placing 3rd.
Sidebar
Open Equitation Over Fences
Alexandra Kemp-Thompson- 1st
Open Equitation on the Flat
Alexandra Kemp-Thompson- 3rd
Intermediate on the Flat
Juliana Caffrey- 2nd
Novice Equitation Over Fences
Lauren Sitler- 3rd
Juliana Caffrey- 3rd
Novice Equitation on the Flat
Erica McCarthy- 2nd
Lauren Sitler- 3rd
Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation
Caitlin Henzey- 1st
Abby Burkardt- 2nd
Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation
Brooke Hebrank- 2nd
Ashley Dunlop- 3rd
Walk/Trot Equitation
Lauren DeCarli- 2nd
Elaina Moorehead- 3rd