TRYON, NC – The Alfred University western equestrian team finished 10
th at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships from the Tryon International Equestrian Center.
The Saxons began the three-day competition on Friday as
Emily Peluso (Ridgway, PA/Johnsonburg) took sixth place in Team Level II Horsemanship. Both
Lauren Mandel (Basom, NY/Oakfield-Alabama) and
Brooke Boyko (Holley, NY/Holley) each earned eighth place finishes in Team competition. Mandel competed in Level I Horsemanship and Boyko earned her eighth place ribbon in Reining.
On Saturday,
Samantha Smit (Columbiana, OH/Ursuline) had the top finish on the day as she was the only Saxon to compete in Individual competition. She placed fifth in National Reining Horse Association (NHRA) Open Reining. Smit also competed in the horsemanship phase of the High Point Rider competition, earning a 12
th place sitting after day one of the top competition between the top 15 riders in the country.
Keira Hanschman (Chicago, IL/Cary-Grove Community) earned an eighth place finish on Saturday in Team NRHA Ranch Riding, adding to the success of Smit.
Madison Smith (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) earned an Honorable Mention recognition in her inaugural trip to Nationals, competing in Team Beginner Horsemanship on Saturday.
The Saxons closed out the Team competition on Sunday as
Erin Auclair (Norfolk, CT/Northwestern Region District #7) finished eighth in Team Rookie Horsemanship, and Smit earned sixth in Team Open Horsemanship. Smit then competed in High Point Rider Open Reining to score enough points to earn ninth place overall in the High Point Rider competition.
Out of the arena,
Michael Doner (Newfield, NY/Newfield) was named the Western Volunteer Sportsmanship Award for his vigilant support of helping run the IHSA National Show. The team overall finished sixth place in the United States Hunter Jumper Association Horsemanship Quiz Challenge.
The Saxons look to return to Tryon next season as well as more members of the Alfred University western equestrian team.
--Swords Forward Saxons--
