Oilers Win 1st Show

The University of Findlay English IHSA team travelled to Stonegate Farm in Coolville, Ohio on Saturday, Oct. 15 to compete in their first collegiate competition of the season, hosted by Thiel College. 

The day started off with excellent rides from team Open Equitation Over Fences riders. Junior, Marco Polo Uchoa placed 3rd, freshman Uxue Viguria was 5th and freshman Emma Price was 6th.

The Intermediate Equitation Over Fences saw stand out rides from all UF riders. Senior Elle Brady took home 2nd, junior Melanie McCaffery took 4th, and senior Courtney O'Connor took 5th.

Novice Equitation Over Fences is always a heavily competitive division and both returning and first year team members stood their own. UF winder included senior Alexa Murray, freshman Kaylyn Cole, and senior Emma Wood. Other great over fences trips were put in by senior Theresa Shattan who finished 2nd, as well as freshmen Breanna Hertz and Mackenzie Barnes who also took home 2nd place, and sophomore Sydney Stern who finished 5th.

The afternoon consisted of six different levels of equitation on the flat classes. Freshman Emma Price stepped up again, with a 4th place finish in the Open Equitation on the flat.  UF riders in the Intermediate Equitation on the flat included a win by senior Courtney O'Connor, 4th place finish for Uxue Viguria, and 5th for junior Peter Patch.

As always, the Novice Equitation on the flat was a heavily competitive division, highlight placings included another win for freshman Kaylyn Cole and senior Alexa Murray, sophomore Coleton Cook also took home 1st and a blue ribbon. Sydney Stern followed directed behind in 2nd, Melanie McCaffery took home 3rd, junior Leslie Turner finished 4th and Breanna Hertz finished in 6th.

Never to be underestimated, the Walk/Trot/Canter equitation on the flat saw sophomore Lizzie Lengling take home the win, and both Parker Nash and Jessie Hood took 3rd. As always they close run for overall team points came down the Walk/Trot equitation class, both UF riders Abby Hope & Hannah McColl closed the door and walked away with well-deserved wins.

The University of Findlay English IHSA team finished their first show of the season as High Point Team with a total of 33 points. The team also had two riders who tied for overall Highpoint Rider of the horse show, freshman Kaylyn Cole and senior Alexa Murray.  Extra special congratulations to the five Oilers who have qualified individually for 2017 IHSA Regionals, Melanie McCaffery(Novice Flat), Alexa Murray (Novice Flat & Fences), Courtney O'Connor (Novice Flat), Lizzie Lengling(Adv W/T/C), and Hannah McColl(Walk/Trot).

The team will compete again at Stonegate Farms on Sunday, October 16th in their second show of the regular season.