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Equestrian Club finished second in its region for the second straight year this season, placing 15 competitors in the regional competition.
Chemistry major Emily Mallory ’09 (Camarillo, Calif.), English major Katie McDonough ’08 (Mountainside, N.J.), and government and law major Eva Miller ’08 (Warren, Pa.) also qualified for April’s Zone 3 competition. Mallory placed second in open fences and open flat, McDonough placed second in advanced walk-trot-canter, and Miller placed second in walk-trot to qualify for the next level of competition. Zone 3 encompasses approximately 47 colleges and universities.
With another second place finish in walk-trot at the Zone 3 competition, Miller became the first Lafayette rider ever to qualify for the national competition held May 4-7 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. She received an honorable mention in a field of 18 riders in the individual walk-trot equitation category.
“When they announced my name at zones as the reserve champion, many different emotions ran through my mind,” says Miller. “I was really excited at the thought of competing at the highest level, but I was also very nervous at the same time. I was a little bit distraught because I knew I would have to face many more of the same grueling practices I had gone through in preparation for zones. However, seeing my coach and captains on the edge of the ring and the excitement in their faces made the moment completely worth it.”
Miller calls the national competition “the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever been through,” citing a large arena with over a thousand spectators and a random draw of competition horse as added sources of pressure. Despite her anxiety, Miller would love to represent Lafayette again at the highest level of competition.
“It was thrilling,” she says. “There were cameras flashing and people cheering – it was an adrenaline rush.”
Co-captain Sarah Filone ’08 (Schwenksville, Pa.), a psychology major, believes team chemistry and a dedicated coach have helped Lafayette to a powerful resurgence in only its third year of competition after nearly a decade of inactivity.
“We are very proud and excited to have finished second in our region for the second year in a row,” she says. “It is a great honor for such a young team. Everyone is very committed; it is a unique opportunity to be a part of an incredibly supportive team.”
“As much as I love riding and horses, the real reason I am part of Equestrian Club is the great girls who I have the honor of calling my teammates,” adds Miller. “They make all the 5:30 wake up calls, horrible weather on show days, and sometimes painful lessons so worth it. The triumphs and good times we experience during the long days of showing are unlike anything else. We really have something special.”
Although the exact show schedule for the upcoming season is yet to be determined, Filone expects the Lafayette-hosted show to be Oct. 7. She notes several incoming first-year students have already expressed interest in the team.
“Our goals for next season are to continue to grow and improve,” she says. “We hope to keep our team fun and friendly while striving to place first in our region this season.”
Other schools fielding teams in the region are Bloomsburg University, Cedar Crest College, East Stroudsburg University, Kutztown University, Lehigh University, Moravian College, Princeton University, Rutgers University, University of Scranton, and Wilkes University.