Steven Evans, Campus Carrier Sports Editor
The Lady Vikings English equestrian team traveled to the Zones competition on Saturday and emerged in first place, winning the event with 45 points and claiming a spot in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National competition.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) came in second place at Zones and was the only other team out of the five competing to qualify for Nationals with a score of 39 points.
With the victory at Zones, the Lady Vikings continued their undefeated streak for the entire 2012-2013 season.
“The point of Zones is that it is the last step on the road to Nationals in the season,” senior English rider Madison Harris said. “It is the chance for the top-scoring teams and individual riders in each region to come together and compete for the coveted top two placings which would send them forward to Nationals in May. The [Lady Vikings English team] is one of the teams within Zone 5 of the nation, earning their position at Zones with Regional Champion title and undefeated season.“
Harris said the other four teams consisted of College of Charleston, Savannah College of Art and Design, Virginia Intermont and Vanderbilt.
The first event at the Zones competition was Open Over Fences event, and junior Kristin Brennan earned the place of Reserve Champion. Brennan also competed in the Intermediate Flat event and placed third.
In the Novice Over Fences event freshman Mallory Hammer finished as the Champion, and sophomore Jessica Tabb finished as the Reserve Champion in the Novice Flat event.
“Winning the horse show last weekend was such a rewarding experience,” Hammer said. “Every single girl on the team gave it their all every time they went in the show ring and the results clearly reflected that. For weeks now, we have been at the barn almost every day riding and working so hard, so it feels so good for that hard work to finally pay off both individually and as a team.”
Freshman Sara Claudia Tillman finished as Reserve Champion in the Walk/Trot/Canter event and to close out the Lady Viking’s performance at Zones, sophomore Rachel LeRoy also earned the Reserve Champion title.
“To me, Zones was the farthest I’ve ever come as an individual rider and a huge accomplishment,” Harris said. “The fact that my team took first place at Zones, against all these equally competitive teams, and closing out the year with an undefeated season, was probably one of the greatest achievements and presents I could’ve received as a senior. Nationals, Berry is coming for you!”
The IHSA National competition will take place on Thursday, May 2 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Penn. It will take place until May 5.
None of the individual riders for the Lady Vikings qualified to compete at Nationals.