HOLLISTON, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team competed in its first show as a varsity program on Saturday at August Farm in Holliston, Massachusetts. The show was co-hosted by Brandeis University and Northeastern University. 

Four of the riders for the Bears took home blue ribbons, including senior Kelly Theis (Cranston, R.I.), freshman Madison Elliott (Foxboro, Mass.), junior Maria Marchione (Hull, Mass.), and senior Michelle Tonkonogy (Milford, Mass.)

Theis placed first in her intermediate flat class on Oscar, a 16.1 hand bay off the track thoroughbred gelding, qualifying her for regionals and moving up a division into open flat.

Elliot won her novice fences class with Eagle, a 15.2 hand paint, while Tonkongy placed first in the walk trot class on Tonka, a large appaloosa pony.

Marchione won her advanced walk trot canter class on Caramel, a chestnut pony gelding.

Freshman Kendra Latham (Newburyport, Mass.)  placed third on Padame, a 15.1 paint mare, and sophomore Emily Adams (Plymouth, Mass.) placed fourth on Cardinal, a 16 hand chestnut gelding, both in the same beginner walk trot canter class.

Senior Kayla Martin (Bridgewater, Mass.) placed third on Eddie, a 14.1 hand chestnut gelding, in her advanced walk trot canter class.

Senior Heather Griffin (Scituate, Mass.) placed third in her beginner walk trot canter class on Tonka.

Sophomore Tessa LeBlanc (Harwich, Mass.) placed fourth place in her advanced walk trot canter class on Eagle.

Junior Jeanna Meloni (Falmouth, Mass.)  placed fifth in both her novice over fences class and novice flat class, both on Eagle.

The Bears placed eighth in the team scoring.

The BSU Equestrian team will be riding tomorrw (Sunday, October 13th) at August Farm in a show hosted by Tufts University and Wheaton College.