Articles: Press Release
Savannah College Wins ANRC National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Stacey Meier
Content provided by the American National Riding Commission
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) riders bested nine other colleges
to win the team championship at the 2009 American National Riding Commission
(ANRC) National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship hosted by
St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The
competition took place on April 18 and 19 and was judged by Dacia Johnson of
Monticello, FL, and Paddy Downing-Nygard, Thonotosassa, FL. Ten colleges
were represented: Centenary College (NJ); Duke University (NC); Goucher
College (MD); Otterbein College (OH); Savannah College of Art and Design
(GA); St. Andrews Presbyterian College (NC); Sweet Briar College (VA); and
University of the South (Sewanee) (TN); Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MA), and the College of William and Mary (VA).
SCADs Kels Bonham was the overall individual champion out of the thirty-six
riders entered and received the Jon Conyers Memorial Trophy for her
achievement. This years championship was dedicated to the memory of Jon
Conyers, former ANRC Intercollegiate Chair, teacher, coach, judge, and show
manager, who influenced many equestrians and their horses during his 26 year
career. Lindsay Mohr from Centenary was the overall individual reserve
champion.
Sunny, cool weather and good footing provided ideal conditions as colleges
showcased their most talented riders. The competition was judged and scored
on four phases: (1) a Written Test (2) a Dressage Sportif (a program ride
with USEF hunter equitation tests), (3) a Hunter Trials Equitation Phase
over an outside course at 3 and (4) a Hunter Seat Medal Phase at 3.
The written test phase was judged by Marion Lee from Leesburg, Virginia.
The test included questions on Forward Riding Theory and this year's chosen
topic: Conformation, Movement, and Soundness. Goucher College won the team
competition for this phase and Caroline Taylor from St. Andrews had the top
score of 98.1.
The Dressage Sportif was held throughout the day on Saturday and while this
phase moved at a slower pace, each rider anticipated their moment to perform
the six-minute test they had carefully practiced and memorized. The judges
scored each movement on the riders ability to execute their flatwork with
soft, precise control. The ride included a variety of transitions, a
serpentine, counter canter, turn on the haunch, a trot fence, a canter
fence, halt and back. Centenary rider Lindsay Mohr received the top score
slightly ahead of SCAD's Kelse Bonham. Centenary College took the team
honors in this phase, followed by SCAD and St. Andrews.
The Hunter Trials Phase was held in a large field allowing riders to show
their horses' flowing stride between fences. The natural obstacles included
a bank, stone wall, aiken, and a choice of two panels in an option
fence. SCAD made a clean sweep of the individual top honors: Kels Bonham won
with a score of 93.5, followed by Meredith Gallagher with 93 points and
Chelsea McCarthy with a 92.5. SCAD was the top team in this phase, with
Centenary College second and Sweet Briar College third.
For the final phase, R. Scot Evans of Annapolis, MD designed a challenging
course in St. Andrews sizeable covered ring. Competitors aimed for an even
and accurate ride over angled jumps, oxers, combinations, and one narrow
fence. Kelse Bonham scored a 93 to win this phase and Centenarys Lindsay
Mohr received a 92 to secure her a second place win overall. Kelly
MacDonald of Sweet Briar College scored 90 to place third. SCAD won the team
competition in the Hunt Seat Medal phase just ahead of Sweet Briar College.
All competitors received an Excellence in Equitation pin from the United
States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the top ten scorers received an
USHJA cap. Jennifer Elrod of Centenary College was selected for the 2009
USHJA Collegiate Amateur Rider Award by best representing the spirit of
intercollegiate competition, outstanding horsemanship, and sportsmanship
throughout. Peggy McElveen, Director of the St. Andrews College Equestrian
Program, was presented with an engraved plate as the recipient of the 2009
USHJA Affiliate Professional Service Award. This award is given annually by
ANRC to the individual who has contributed significantly to the ANRC
organization and has personified the Forward Riding System in their
professional area. The ANRC Sportsmanship award went to Liz Harris of
St. Andrews who cheerfully and competently manned the starting gate for all
phases of the competition.
For more information, contact Patte Zumbrun, Goucher College, at
pzumbrun@goucher.edu or (410) 337-6247.
ENDS
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
|
