Equestrian Team Competes
24 November 2008 Equestrian Team Competes
The HWS equestrian club participated in its first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) event of the year on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y.
In a full day of competition with six of its riders participating, the team performed well: Alix Coursen 09, won first place in the intermediate flat class and fourth place in the intermediate over fences class; Michelle Badagnani 09 won fifth and sixth places in the open division; Emily Berlin 12 was awarded a third place ribbon in the intermediate over fences class, and a sixth place ribbon in the open flat class; Charles Levin 11, won two, fourth place ribbons in the intermediate division; Rachel Johnson 10 received a sixth place ribbon in the novice flat class; and Katie Fink 12, won a first place ribbon in the novice flat class and a third place in the novice over fences class.
The IHSA is a league that gives college riders of all level, from those with no experience to the top riders in the nation, the opportunity to ride and compete without necessarily owning their own horses. The league provides a competitive atmosphere between other colleges and universities by putting a spin on the traditional horse show experience each rider draws a horses name out of a hat and is judged riding an unfamiliar horse. Additionally, the IHSA provides an opportunity for riders to participate as a team, which is unusual due to the sports individual nature.