Avery Boulware, Campus Carrier Sports Editor
The Berry equestrian team crushed the competition at their two-day Pack the House show this weekend, which featured both Hunt Seat and Western shows. The Vikings placed first overall, scoring 22 points over the University of Alabama.
Several Berry riders “pointed up” in their division, which means that they are now ranked at a higher level for their respective event for the next show.
“I was pretty confident that we could take both shows on Saturday and Sunday, which we did,” head coach Margaret Knight said. “Both teams have very talented riders.”
The stands were full of students cheering, buying Pack the House merchandise and participating in trivia and other crowd involvement activities.
“It was a really good turnout,” junior Lydia West said. “We really enjoy it when people come out. It’s a long day, but we’re glad we had folks supporting us.”
Berry had four Hunt Seat riders place first in their respective events: senior Mallory Hammer for Open Over Fences, junior Lauren Thompson for Intermediate Flat, freshman Erin McGlone for Novice Flat and sophomore Madison Eiberger for Walk/Trot/Canter.
In the Western show, Berry took first place in six events, including five different horsemanship divisions.
The equestrian team is hopeful that their season this year will be as successful as past seasons have been. Last spring, the Western team secured a national championship, the second in five years for Berry.
The final shows for the equestrian team’s fall season will take place on Nov. 21 and will feature the Western team. Shows will start again in February, and post-season shows will begin in March, starting with semifinals for both Hunt Seat and Western teams.
“Our goal this year is to send both teams to nationals,” junior Elizabeth Poczobut said. “We’re really hopeful that both will qualify. We’re all really competitive.”