Equestrian team takes second at Lake Erie College

The Equestrian Team more than made up for a disappointing show at Lake Erie College on Feb. 14, by returning the next day to finish as the Reserve Champion team (translates into second place).

Sunday was also a much better day for sophomore Heather Van Aelst who recovered from a fall on Saturday to win her intermediate over fences class, place second in intermediate on the flat and finish tied for Reserve Champion High Point Rider.

In addition, two riders gained enough points to qualify for regionals.First-year Allison Matthews qualified in Open fences with a sixth place finish Saturday and a third Sunday, and junior Audrey Wasser qualified in Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter with a third place ribbon.

"We beat Miami!" was senior team president Jessica Pittman's reaction to the team's remarkable finish and respect for University of Miami's large riding program and consistently high finishes. With only nine riders, the team out-rode teams fielding over 50 to match their best placing ever when, last fall, they tied two other schools for the same honor at Ohio University.

Other individual results Saturday included fifths in Beginner and Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter for Pittman and sophomore Leigh Miller, respectively.

Sunday's results also included a first-place for Pittman, a second-place in Open flat for Matthews, and a sixth-place for Miller. Senior Amy Guitry placed third in Novice flat and sixth in Novice over fences, senior Ellen Cheeseman was fourth in Novice over fences, and seniors Shuna Klaveness and Matt Groza placed sixth in Intermediate flat and Walk-Trot, respectively. Sophomore Bonnie Fletcher also competed Saturday.

OCET's next and final shows take place March 28th and 29th at University of Miami, to be followed by regionals April 4th.

-Heather Van Aelst, This article was written by a member of the equestrian team.