2008-09 Riding Blog - Week 3

by Teresa Campbell - November 4, 2008
(photos courtesy of Leelawan Kaewsawang)

The first regional show of the season was held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on October 4. Our team was excited for this show, because we were determined to show the regional champion of last year (UMass) that we meant business. Mount Holyoke riders earned first and second place ribbons (among others) in the open fences division, but the team really got on its game in the intermediate flat division, where it claimed two firsts and a second. After intermediate fences, we hardly saw a ribbon below third place! (And blue was definitely the most prominent color!)

It came down to the wire to see which team would claim the high point title. In the end, it was UMass with a four point win (UMass 43, Mount Holyoke 39). Margaret Swanson, a new Mount Holyoke team member, won the ride off for High Point Rider accolades with some very nice riding.

We were thrilled with all the firsts that we won and all the great rides we had that day. However, there was still that nudge in the back of our minds that UMass had taken the day by four points. We were certain, though, that this would do nothing more than make us work harder and be even more determined to win at the Smith show the following week.

The Smith show was held October 11, the Saturday of Fall Break. It started out a bit chilly in the barn, but then we moved outside after the fences classes, and it broke into a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Mount Holyoke team members and supporters showed their spirit with blue headbands and pom-poms. A couple of our team members were schooling at the show, and they all did fabulous jobs – even with some tough steeds! We also brought two of our own horses: Mikey and Orlando, and they both behaved phenomenally.

Mount Holyoke started off strong in the fences classes, grabbing many firsts and seconds. After the fences, we were happy to see two alumnae compete in the alumnae division: Trina Baker, Becker’s current coach, and Lorin Weaver, who graduated last year. They placed first and second, respectively, in both alumnae classes (fences and flat). After the alum division, our team continued to ride consistently well throughout the day, as evidenced by all the first, second and third place ribbons that we raked in.

At the end of the day, Mount Holyoke won with 37 points! Becker was close behind with 33, Williams was third with 32, and UMass took fourth with 29. Our team was ecstatic for having taken back the region with a four point lead. We also knew that we would have to keep our momentum if we wanted to hold our lead at our home show, which was on October 25.