Cazenovia College sophomore Sara Eveleigh. Photo by Haley Bell.
Fairfield, Conn. – Dec. 10, 2020 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) announced class winners and high-score riders of the Inaugural Online Horse Show, powered by DigitalHorseShow.com during the Results Celebration, Tuesday, Dec. 8. During the first-ever online presentation, host and IHSA Vice President Kelly Francfort shared the results of the participating colleges and universities who competed from across the country, interviewed judges, high-score riders, and special guests.
“I am hoping that even though this was born out of the COIVD-19 virus, that this is an opportunity for this kind of event to continue on and give opportunity to riders that don’t normally have an opportunity to compete with each other that chance,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “I want to thank and congratulate everybody who participated and hope that this is something we will see again in the spring.”
More than 100 members and alumni from 23 colleges and universities participated in the IHSA Inaugural Online Horse Show. Riders showcased their abilities in classes ranging from Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat and Over Fences to Western Horsemanship, Ranch Riding, and Reining.
“I thought the quality of riding was good, I definitely had scores in the 80s in every class, which I love,” said USEF R Judge Kat Mulkey. “Everybody did take in the spirit of trying to make it like an actual horse show. I really can’t think of a single horse that I watched that I didn’t like, which is amazing.”
Elizabeth “Fenn” Novicki, a junior from St. Lawrence University, rode barn-favorite Cappy to the blue ribbon in the World Equestrian Center Limit Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences Section 1 and the Champion High-Score Hunter Seat Rider title with a score of 89. Novicki used Cappy’s adjustability to her advantage and rode the inside turns during the course that helped her take the top call.
“Usually we have a lot of horse shows on the weekends in the regular season during the fall,” said Novicki. “But it was really nice to have the opportunity to get dressed up and go around a course and learn courses if you were actually doing a horse show. So I’m really thankful the IHSA put that together.”
There was a tie for Reserve High-Score Hunter Seat Rider. Cazenovia College sophomore Sara Eveleigh rode to an 88 in the World Equestrian Center Limit Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat securing the blue ribbon and Chloe Kershl, a junior from Sweet Briar College, also scored an 88 to win the Open Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences.
Sweet Briar College took home the Hunter Seat Team Champion title. “They were all so very cheerful and excited about it,” said Elizabeth Fisch, Sweet Briar College Equestrian Team head coach. “I’m proud of my riders as always. It was a good, fun time to spend with them. It was good experience and we’d definitely do it again.”
“With the pandemic, this is the best way to do it,” said Rhonda Replogle, who judged the Western classes and holds judging cards for the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, International Buckskin Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association.
“They can watch their video and take it back to their peers or their coaches and have them go over it to see what we’re seeing as judges to help them get better, and that’s what we’re here for,” said Replogle. “They can go back and watch the other videos, the winning rides, to see how they might be able to replicate that.”
Ali Olsen, a junior from West Texas A&M University, rode to the blue ribbon in the Rookie Western Horsemanship Section 1 and the Champion High-Score Western Rider title with a score of 86.
“Bob, he is one of the best horses that WT has. He is such a good sport,” said Olsen. “I’d like that thank everyone that put it on. I think they did a fantastic job. It’s hard to keep a group of competitive girls together and not compete.”
Two Cazenovia College riders tied for the Reserve High-Score Western Rider title. Both scoring a 79 was senior Meghan Marsh who rode to the win in the Level I Western Horsemanship class and sophomore Sara Eveleigh, winning both classes she entered and taking home her second Reserve High-Score Rider honor of the show, was awarded the top call in the Level II Horsemanship.
Middle Georgia State University (MGSU) earned the Western Team Championship. “The kids were upset with COVID and they didn’t get to have that show experience,” said Allie Arrington, MGSU Equestrian Team head coach. “This enabled them to get excited about something, prepare for something, get dressed up in their show clothes and actually compete with their team. They gave it all they’ve got and at the end I told them all they rode better than they have all semester under the pressure of the video and I’m extremely proud of them.”
IHSA alumni showcased their talents in both the Hunter Seat and western classes. Alumni classes included Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat, Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences, Western Horsemanship, and Reining.
Scores in the high 70s and 80s made for a competitive Alumni Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat class. Kayleigh Burke from Virginia Tech University scored an 86 to take the top call. College of St. Elizabeth alumna Sandy Rose rode to second just two points behind with an 84. Rebecca Boorstein from Amherst College rounded out the top three with a score of 78.
In the Alumni Hunter Seat Over Fences, Dartmouth College alumna Stacy S. Klein topped the field with a 77. Sandy Rose from College of St. Elizabeth and Kayleigh Burke from Virginia Tech were second and third with scores of 74 and 72, respectively.
Christa Bramberger, SUNY Cobleskill alumna, won the Alumni Western Horsemanship besting the field with a score of 72. Tammy Cranouski from Westfield State University and Alexandra Stock from University of North Texas rounded out the top three. Stock also competed in the Alumni Reining class.
For a full list of results, click here.
For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.