Oilers Named Reserve Champs at Lake Erie
On Saturday, October 29th the University of Findlay English IHSA team traveled to Lake Erie College for a weekend of competition against eleven other colleges and universities.
The Open Equitation Over Fences class started the day, with sophomore Uxue Viguria taking home 4th and junior Marco Polo Uchoa following right behind in 5th.
A very competitive Intermediate Equitation Over Fences class saw senior Courtney O'Connor ride her way to a 3rd place finish, junior Katie Holt was 5th, and senior Elle Brady, as well as junior Melanie McCaffrey both walked away with 6th place.
The Novice Equitation Over Fences classes finished up the morning of competition. Oilers all placed in the top six, with junior Leslie Turner putting in a solid trip and a taking home 1st place and the blue ribbon. Freshman Kaylyn Cole was right behind in 2nd and senior Theresa Shattan followed in 5th.
A heavily Oiler populated Open Equitation on the flat division saw senior Emma Wood taking home top prize and a blue ribbon in the 1st place slot, followed by freshman Emma Price and senior Courtney O'Connor who both finished up in 2nd. Sophomore Alyssa Simin and senior Jo Hanna Proefrock came home with yellow ribbons and two 3rd place finishes and senior Elle Brady rounded out the top five in 5th. This competitive class saw strong rides by all.
The Intermediate Equitation on the Flat saw top six rides by Oiler riders. Junior Peter Patch rode his way into the 3rd place spot, and Uxue Viguria finished in 6th.
The Novice Equitation on the Flat class saw the Oilers again in the top of the pack. Both juniors Katie Holt and Leslie Turner walked away with red ribbons and 2nd place finishes, and senior Theresa Shattan rode her way to 4th.
Those who know and understand collegiate IHSA equestrian, understand the importance of the Walk/Trot/Canter and Walk/Trot equitation classes. The Oilers did not disappoint in either of these classes. Brianna Hallman walked away with her 3rd consecutive 1st place finish in the division this season. First time IHSA freshman Samantha Matatall rode her way to 2nd place at her first ever collegiate competition in the Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation class. Senior Nicole Fox also rode her was to a well-deserved and hard earned 2nd place finish in the class.
The Walk/Trot Equitation class saw UF again at the top of the ribbons with Abby Hope coming home in the 1st place spot and first time collegiate rider Jane Swanton taking home 5th prize.
Overall the Oilers ended the day with a grand total of 31 team points, which also made them Reserve Champion Highpoint Team for the day. The Oilers also want to congratulate junior Nicole Fox on her point up and qualification for 2017 IHSA Regionals in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation on the Flat.