By: Sarah Madden, Senior Writer
Most of the Wofford equestrian team finished its season at a competition in Charleston on March 5, excepting rider Grace Edwards, ’18, who competed at regionals and will compete again at zones on April 2 in Savannah, Georgia.
Edwards’ regional performance included 5th place on the flat in the intermediate division and reserve champion over fences in the novice division. The top two riders of each division at regionals qualify for zones.
Edwards is one of the team’s most consistent point winners, earning the High Point Rider title at Georgia Southern University in February for her double first place rides.
Though classified as a club by the college, the team competes against much larger programs such as the College of Charleston, Clemson University, Lander University and the University of South Carolina.
Coach Jeanne Smith says that the team draws attention from high school students making college decisions: “I’ve interviewed at least four potential Wofford students at the farm in Landrum, and we know that one is even bringing her horse with her next year. It’s a huge draw for the college.”
Even more students have contacted current riders for more information, says Abby Umberger, ’17.
“We’ve had several e-mail correspondences with potential riders. Sometimes a few of us are able to meet a prospective student for lunch on campus, and we love it. Before this season, most of our recruiting happened at the interest fair in September.”
The team competed in four competitions this semester, attending all four shows in a span of six weeks.
Smith, a nationally renowned judge, says she is pleased with the progress the team is making.
“I’m very proud of our second season… Everyone worked hard and pulled together as a team. I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go next year.”
Results from the final three competitions can be found below:
Charleston, March 5:
Crawford Anderson ’18: 1st place on the flat; 5th place over fences (open division)
*Grace Edwards ’18: 6th place over fences (intermediate division)
Sarah Madden ’17: 2nd place on the flat (advanced walk trot canter division)
Kyrie Hugdahl ’19: 2nd place on the flat (beginner walk trot canter division)
Lindsey Goan ’19: 6th place on the flat (walk trot division)
*Regionals, March 6: 5th place on the flat (intermediate division); reserve champion over fences (novice division)
Clemson, February 20:
Anderson: 2nd place on the flat (open division)
Edwards: 6th place on the flat (intermediate division)
Allison Andrews ’19: 3rd place on the flat (intermediate division)
Mary Bradley Cassada ’19: 1st place over fences; 2nd place on the flat (novice division)
Umberger: 6th place on the flat (novice division)
Hugdahl: 2nd place on the flat (beginner walk trot canter division)
Goan: 6th place on the flat (walk trot division)
Georgia Southern, February 6:
Team tied for 4th place with Clemson University, Edwards named High Point Rider
Anderson: 3rd place on the flat; 3rd place over fences (open division)
Edwards: 1st place on the flat; 1st place over fences (intermediate division); High Point Rider
Andrews: 6th place on the flat; 4th place over fences (intermediate division)
Rhiannon Lemaster’19: 4th place over fences (novice division)
Cassada: 4th place over fences (novice division)
Umberger: 4th place over fences (novice division)
Goan: 5th place on the flat (walk trot division)
