Dartmouth equestrian wrapped up its weekend doubleheader in impressive form, winning on Saturday at Colby Sawyer College by one point over Mount Ida College, and finishing a close second to Mount Ida at Dartmouth's home show on Sunday. The team's strong performance this weekend moved it into first in the regional standings, displacing perennial favorite University of Vermont.
"This is the best start of any year since 1990 for Dartmouth equestrian," coach Sally Batton said. "We have a great combination of seasoned team members and new riders who could take us to the regional championship."
Dartmouth has taken the regional title only once before, in the 2004-05 show season.
"Two years ago we had a similar successful run of shows in the fall and then we ended up winning the region that spring, but I still don't consider this early lead a guarantee of continued success," co-captain Daisy Freund '08 said. "We had to work really hard to win two years ago and we will have to push ourselves hard this fall and spring to end up on top."
On Saturday, Dartmouth achieved an almost unheard-of feat by taking the show's three top awards. Besides the high-point college title, co-captain Tim Malone '07 took the high-point rider honors while Freund finished as reserve high-point rider.
"Daisy and Tim have shown that they are the riders to beat in Region Two. They have consistently been in the top of the ribbon winnings, and one or the other has been in the high-point rider running every week," continued Batton.
On Sunday, Mount Ida narrowly edged out Dartmouth for the victory, finishing only two points ahead. Malone again took home an individual award, this time scoring the reserve high point rider title. The Dartmouth home show also marked the third consecutive competition in which the team has obtained the rare score of 40 or more points out of a possible total of 49.
The eight riders competing at Colby Sawyer garnered a string of individual awards. Blue ribbons went to Malone in Open Fences and Open Flat, Freund in Open Fences, Ashley Hannebrink '07 in Intermediate Fences, and Katherine Scovner '08 in Novice Flat.
"I was very excited about my win on the flat at Colby Sawyer, since I struggled a little at the first two shows and the Colby Sawyer judge worked us hard," said Malone. "To come out on top after a challenging test like that felt great."
Second place finishers included Freund in Open Flat, Elise Lewyckyj '10 in Intermediate Flat, and Lily Macartney '08 in Novice Fences. Thirds went to Chesa Bochner '10 in Walk-Trot-Canter and Kaity Wallace '07 in Walk-Trot.
The entire 19-person squad competed on Sunday, with first places going to Malone in Open Fences, Freund in Open Flat, Elizabeth Bissell '08 in Open Flat, Hannebrink in Intermediate Fences, Karelle Hall '08 in Novice Fences, and Macartney in Novice Flat.
"My last ride of the weekend was probably my favorite," Macartney said about her win. "I think that by that point I was completely relaxed and no longer nervous at all and it really helped my riding."
Red ribbons went to Elizabeth Rauner '06 in Open Fences, Malone in Open Flat, Lewyckyj in Intermediate Flat and Novice Fences, Alaina Smith '09 in Walk-Trot-Canter, and Erin Demien '07 in Walk-Trot-Canter. Finishing third were Freund in Open Fences, Samantha Parsons '10 in Open Fences, Rauner in Intermediate Flat, Hall in Novice Flat, Bochner in Walk-Trot-Canter, Rachel LaRocca '09 in Walk-Trot-Canter, Erica Anhalt '09 in Walk-Trot-Canter, and Wallace in Walk-Trot.
"I was so nervous that I didn't really pay attention to how strong my class was, but I was so excited when I heard the judge call my number for second place," said Smith, who was competing for the first time. "I have been working really hard in practices to learn correct hunt seat position and it was gratifying to see the results of my work."
Although pleased with its recent successes, the team has no plans to rest on its laurels.
"We saw our weaknesses at the first two shows and our riders took it upon themselves, worked very hard, and put together two great shows this weekend," Malone said. "Even though we're now in first, we have to work even harder because Mount Ida and Vermont are right behind us and every point counts as we get towards the end of the season."
Despite Vermont's less than stellar weekend, Dartmouth is not ready to count its usual rival out of the running.
"They had an off weekend, but they've already won two shows so they're capable of coming back," Malone said.
"Vermont has a traditionally strong team and anything could happen in the shows to come," added Batton, "but this is a record-setting season for Dartmouth equestrian. I've been coaching at Dartmouth for 16 years and we've never had a run like we're having now."
