October 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shannon Houlihan
(724) 288-6347

Equestrian Earns 15 Top 4 Ribbons at UMass Show

Amherst, MA: Nineteen riders took to the ring for Smith at the UMass show, combining to earn 15 top 4 finishes in individual catagories and place Smith 6th out of 13 teams. Senior Sarah Maxner (Norwich, VT) gathered enough points to qualify for the Regional Championships.

Maxner placed 3rd in Novice Flat and 4th in Novice Over Fences to garner her individual points and a regional berth.  Sophomore Nicole Haseltine (Los Angeles, CA) also had several outstanding rides for the Pioneers, finishing 1st in Open Flat and 6th in Open Over Fences.  The Open division is the most advanced. 

Junior Mary Bordewieck (Bernardston, MA) placed 2nd in Novice Over Fences, while senior Laura Schneider (Roscoe, MT) earned second in Walk Trot.  Sophomore Madeline Smart (Mountlake Terrace, WA) finished 3rd in Walk Trot Canter and junior Anya Bahros (Norwell, MA) finished 3rd in Novice Flat. 

Earning 4th place ribbons for the Pioneers were junior Abigail Cooper (Chalfont, PA) in Open Over Fences, sophomore Abigail Milnor-Sweetser (Lancaster, PA) in Intermediate Over Fences, freshman Laura Clampitt (New Haven, CT) in Beginner Walk Trot Canter, freshman Caitlin Hunter (Downington, PA) in Intermediate Flat, and freshman Taylor Studley (Woodbury, NY) in Novice Flat. 

Two Smith alumnea also rode in the show, with Clare Hey taking 2nd place in Alumni Flat and 4th in Alumni Over Fences.  Lizzy Jacobson placed 3rd in Alumni Over Fences and 4th in Alumni Flat. 

Smith earned 21 points overall to finish in 6th place.  Mt Holyoke was the high-point college with 43 points and UMass was second with 38 points.  After this outstanding effort in their first show of the year, Smith readies for their home show on Saturday Oct 10 at 8:30 am.