SHU equestrian team wins region second year in a row

The SHU Equestrian team traveled to Alfred University in Alfred Station, N.Y. on March 10 to compete in a regional show. Photo from athletics.setonhill.edu

The equestrian team has performed very well this season capturing five High Point Team selections throughout the season at shows. At the last zones event, which concluded their season, there were many individual awards that the SHUET women compiled. Allison Mello was 4th Team Open Fences and 3rd Team Open Flat to conclude her college career. Macey Marks, who also concludes her college career, placed 4th Team Novice Fences and Flat.

“I am very happy with how the season turned out by winning the region for the second year in a row with a huge lead over the team in the number two spot. I am also very proud of all our riders that qualified individually for zones,” Marks said. “It would have been amazing to win and have the opportunity to show at nationals for the first time, however, I am very happy with how we all performed this season.”

Junior Briana Kupic was 9th Individual Intermediate Fences and Flat. Junior Samantha Zajdel scored 8th Individual Novice Fences. Sophomore Alexis Kupic scored 4th Individual Novice Flat, 3rd Team Intermediate Fences and 4th Team Intermediate Flat. Sophomore Carrie Hood received 6th Individual Walk/Trot and 5th Team Walk/Trot/Canter. Finally, freshman Emma Dougherty got 5th Team Walk/Trot.

The equestrian team did not qualify for the IHSA national playoffs in Harrisburg, Pa. There are some team members who will still attend to support the IHSA organization and the sport itself. Rebecca Bloom, who was named the Seton Hill equestrian coach back in 2014, has molded the ladies into a team that can compete at their highest potential.

Briana Kupic, junior at Seton Hill, placed second in the Intermediate Flat and in the Intermediate Fences during Region 5 at Alfred University. Photo by D.Clark/Setonian.

Looking to next season, the team will say goodbye to two seniors: Mello and Marks. Their leadership has been paramount in their time on the equestrian team and they will be missed. The Kupic sisters have provided good leadership with their sophomore and junior status and plan to follow that up next year.

“Not competing anymore feels like there is a big part of my life missing. I plan to keep riding and showing non-collegiately over the summer, but there is just something about being on the team that cannot be replicated,” Marks said. “The memories and friends I made while on the team have been what I enjoyed the most.

Published By: Stephen Dumnich

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