MIDDLEBORO, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team hosted an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 1, Region 4 event on Sunday at Legacy Stables in Middleboro. The day marked the first home show for the Bears since the squad became a varsity program in 2018.
Freshman Ashley Crosby (Littleton, Mass.) started off the day posting a third place ribbon in open flat on El, a 17 hand dark bay OTTB. Crosby then piloted Trooper, a 16 hand warmblood thoroughbred cross, to fifth place in intermediate fences.
Senior Sydney Hawes (Pembroke, Mass.) jumped around on Foxy, a 16 hand bay, in limit fences placing sixth. Hawes then rode a Legacy Stables favorite, Chance, to a fourth place ride in limit flat.
Sophomore Katherine Ryan (Mendon, Mass.) guided Harry, a 16.1 hand chestnut, to a second place ribbon in limit fences.
Sophomore Madison Elliott (Centerville, Mass.) rode Tuesday, a 16 hand paint, to a fourth place performance in intermediate on the flat.
Sophomore Abby Lucas (Pembroke, Mass.) piloted Joker, a 14.2 hand palomino pony, to a beautiful blue ribbon in novice flat. In the same class, freshman Jenna Root (Rutland, Mass.) rode another home barn horse, Dennis, to a fourth place showing.
Freshman Ashley Drake (Suffield, Conn.) and junior Emily Wolfe (East Bridgewater, Mass.) each rode Legacy Stables favorites in novice flat. Drake rode Ruby to a third place ribbon, while Wolfe place fifth on Honey.
Junior Abigail Adams (Webster, Mass.) also guided Honey to a third place ribbon in introductory.
The Bears finished in eighth place in the team standings.
The BSU equestrian team would like to extend a huge thank you to the parents for putting together a great food table and for all their continued love and support. And a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped get the day rolling. Last but certainly not lease, a huge thank you to all the sponsors who made the day possible; Gallant Grader, Briggs Stable Tack Shop, Express Towing and Electrical Energy Systems.
Next Sunday, the Bears will compete at the Hillside Meadowns Equestrian Center in Grafton with Boston College hosting the show.
