Equestrian Earns Reserve High Point Team at Winters End Farm Show

STOUGHTON, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team finished as the reserve high point team on Saturday in an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 1, Region 4 event hosted by Stonehill College at Winters End Farm in Stoughton.

Freshman Ashley Crosby (Littleton, Mass.) rode Ember to an outstanding first place ribbon in intermediate over fences.

Senior captain Maria Marchione (Hull, Mass.) placed first in novice flat on Eagle, a 15.2 hand paint gelding, earning a blue ribbon while also qualifying for regionals.

Junior Abigail Adams (Webster, Mass.) guided Papi in introductory and earned her first collegiate blue ribbon.

Freshman Sophia Barnard (Halifax, Mass.) had a beautiful open flat ride of Trooper coming out with a third place showing. Barnard then hopped back on Trooper riding to a sixth place performance in open over fences.

Senior Captain Jeanna Meloni (Falmouth, Mass.) rode Toney to a second place trip in limit fences. Meloni, who also rode Carmel to a third place ribbon in limit flat, qualified for regionals.

Sophomore Madison Elliott (Centerville, Mass.) guided Carmel to a second place ribbon in limit over fences as she pointed out and qualified for regionals. Elliott then hopped on Kobe for a fifth place ribbon in intermediate flat.

Sophomore Katherine Ryan (Mendon, Mass.) had a beautiful ride in a very tough draw in intermediate flat class.

Junior Emily Adams (Plympton, Mass.) rode Xena to a second place performance in novice flat.

Sophomore Abby Lucas (Pembroke, Mass.) made her IHSA debut on Xena and brought home a fifth place ribbon in novice flat.

Freshman Jenna Root (Rutland, Mass.) also made her IHSA debut riding Tonka to a fourth place showing in novice flat.

The Bears accumulated the second most points at the 12-team show out to record the status of reserve high point team of the day. This marks the first time the Bears have earned the honor since becoming a varsity sport in 2018. In just three shows, the team has three riders who have qualified for regionals in the spring with more riders getting very close to qualifying.

The BSU equestrian team will be riding again on Saturday, November 2nd when the Bears head to Century Mill Stables in Bolton, Massachusetts for a show co-hosted by Bentley University and Wheaton College. Then on Sunday, November 3rd, the Bears will host a show at Legacy Stables in Middleboro.