Equestrian Wraps Up Regular Season Competition at Century Mill Stables

BOLTON, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team wrapped up regular season competition with a fourth place performance at the Century Mill Stables Show hosted by Brandeis University.

Sophomore captain Emily Desmond (Braintree, Mass.) had a terrific ride on Luna, a 16.2hh grey warmblood mare, in intermediate flat as she won the event. Desmond then guided Fax, a 15hh chestnut paint gelding, in limit over fences and placed second. With her outstanding performance, Desmond was awarded reserve high point rider of the day.

Sophomore Rianne Wyckstrom (Hudson, Mass.) guided Vivid, a 16hh grey warmblood cross gelding, in intermediate over fences and finished fifth. Wyckstrom, then saddled up on Willow, a 14.3hh buckskin paint mare, for intermediate flat and placed fourth. By virtue of her fourth place finish, Wyckstrom qualified for regionals.

Freshman Abigail Abbott (Wareham, Mass.) started the day on Swish a 15hh chestnut quarter horse mare in intermediate over fences and placed reserve in a very competitive class.

Senior captain Samantha Burke (Weymouth, Mass.) rode Capri, a 16hh bay warmblood mare, in intermediate over fences and placed fifth. Burke then hopped on Bing, a 16hh bay warmblood gelding, and posted another fifth place performance.

Sophomore Keelin Shanley (Marshfield, Mass.) rode Luna in open flat and placed fourth. Shanley then earned a third place showing in intermediate over fences on Swish, a 15hh chestnut quarter horse mare.

Freshman Alyson McKeon (Worcester, Mass.) also hopped on Luna in limit flat and placed fifth.

Second year graduate student Katherine Weitbrecht (Braintree, Mass.) had a great ride on Tik-Tac, a 14.1hh appaloosa gelding, in novice and placed reserve in her final show for the Bears.

Freshman Jillian Wenners (Plymouth, Mass.) saddled up on Tik-Tac in novice and finished sixth.

Freshman Julia Carnes (Middleboro, Mass.) rode Master, a 14hh dark bay pony gelding, in novice and placed fifth.

Senior Julia McNeely (Centerville, Mass.) had an amazing ride on Fax, a 15hh chestnut paint gelding, earning a second place ribbon in her final show in a BSU uniform.

Three members of the BSU equestrian team will compete on Saturday, March 30th at the IHSA Zone 1, Region 4 Championships hosted by Boston University and held at the Holly Hill Show Stables in Hanover. Regional qualifiers include Burke in limit flat and over fences, Desmond in limit flat, and Wyckstrom in intermediate flat.