Following a third-place tie in the All Ivy Invitational on April 23, Dartmouth Equestrian is preparing to send two riders to Nationals this weekend in Harrisburg, Penn.
"We had some outstanding performances at the All Ivy," coach Sally Batton said. "We finished in third place but were only two points behind the winner, Brown, and the reserve, Cornell."
All-Ivies, hosted by Cornell University this year, was Dartmouth's last post-season invitational tournament. As points do not count for year-end totals, the format of All-Ivies is slightly different than other shows. In addition to having several sections of each level, championship classes are held to determine one overall winner per level.
"Although it was time consuming, I really liked having the individual championship classes," Lily Macartney '08 said. "It gives you a second chance to correct any original mistakes."
Individual class winners included Janelle Moerlein '06 in Intermediate Fences and Intermediate Flat, Elizabeth Bissell '08 in Intermediate Fences, Amanda Watson '09 in Novice Fences, Macartney in Novice Flat and Jeff Brown '05 in Walk/Trot/Canter.
The sole red ribbon on the day went to Tim Malone '07 in Open Fences, and thirds went to Elyssa Gelmann '06 in Open Flat and Intermediate Fences, Malone in Open Flat, Karelle Hall '08 in Novice Flat, Ashley Hannebrink '07 in Novice Flat and Jane Park '06 in Walk/Trot/Canter.
"I was so incredibly surprised and happy to win, especially after my trouble over fences in the morning," Macartney said. "It was an amazing way to end the season.'
Macartney took the championship in Novice Flat. Moerlein took reserve in both Intermediate Fences and Flat, while Brown secured reserve in Walk/Trot/Canter.
The team could not comment on the annual prank between Dartmouth and Cornell, but it apparently involved mustard, a reference back to Cornell writing "Cornell rules" on Dartmouth vans with the same condiment several years before.
Next up, Dartmouth will cheer on Malone and Daisy Freund '08 at Nationals.
"Tim [Malone]'s class is unique in that he has to do well both on the flat and over fences," Batton said. "He has a good chance of winning the class or at least finishing in the top ten. Daisy has been getting stronger and stronger over fences with each show all year and a Nationals victory would be the icing on the cake."
Freund said that her only expectation is that she will ride her best.
"I think everyone goes into Nationals or any big competition hoping for success, maybe even hoping to win and I'm no exception. But since it's [the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association] it's very hard to expect anything specific other than to do your best and ride your hardest" she said. "There are too many unknown and uncontrolled factors, like a horse you've never ridden, to go in there with too much of a plan."
Co-captains Abby Donahue '06 and Moerlein will be accompanying their two riders to Harrisburg. Indeed, Nationals this year will also be something of a changing of the guard, as second year captains Donahue and Moerlein are set to graduate and Malone and Freund are preparing to take their places.
"Janelle and Abby have brought an amazing work ethic and a sense of fun to the team. Both captains were always willing to go the extra mile," Batton said. "They always had the team decked out in some sort of 'spiritwear' that had other team's coaches asking me, 'Why can't my team have so much fun?'"
Freund's favorite memory of the graduating captains comes from Nationals last year.
"All I remember is hearing a lot of noise and looking over and seeing Janelle and Abby with our manager dressed head to toe in the most obnoxious and garish green flair of all kinds, spooking horses with their neon sign that said 'Go Daisy' and carrying a small plastic potted daisy plant that danced and played the theme song from 'Legally Blonde,'" Freund recalled.
Equestrian will lose eight of 20 members to graduation this year, in addition to several members who will be taking their off-terms in the fall.
"I am excited to graduate, but I will really miss the team," said Gelmann, who will retire as manager. "I doubt I will ever get to compete in a team situation again after I graduate, but hopefully everything I have learned from riding in the IHSA will benefit my future individual riding pursuits, and hopefully my Dartmouth education will allow me to afford them."
Despite the loss of so many riders, both the new captains and returning team members are optimistic about next season.
"I have every bit of faith in Daisy and Tim's abilities as team captains," Tami Martin '08 said. "I'm sure they'll contribute valuable equestrian knowledge, keep the team's members on their toes and maintain the spirit of brightly colored condiments and show accessories that has made the Dartmouth Equestrian Team so...unique."
And Malone looks forward to taking hold of the reigns next year.
"I'm very honored to be elected co-captain with Daisy, and look forward to keeping up the feelings of team unity that Janelle and Abby tried hard to establish," he said. "We have a solid group of riders returning, but we're also losing a great group of seniors, and we need riders to step up and fill those slots if we want to have a chance of winning our region next year. We have the potential to be a great team, but it's going to take a lot of work and commitment on everyone's part."
