HOLLISTON, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University equestrian team wrapped up its first weekend of competition as a varsity program as the Bears competed on Sunday in an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 1, Region 4 event co-hosted by Tufts University and Wheaton College at August Farm in Holliston.

Senior Kelly Thies (Cranston, R.I.) placed sixth in her collegiate debut open flat class on Andrew, a 17 hand chestnut gelding. Thies also placed sixth in the intermediate fences class on Jack, a 16.1 hand bay thoroughbred gelding.

Freshman Madison Elliott (Foxborough, Mass.) also rode Jack in her intermediate flat class, placing fifth. Elliott added a fifth-place performance in novice fences on Lucky, a 15.3 bay gelding.

Junior Jeanna Meloni (Falmouth, Mass.) placed third in novice fences on JJ, a 15 hand chestnut mustang. Meloni also finished third in novice flat on Lucky.

Sophomore Tessa LeBlanc (Harwich, Mass.) also rode Lucky in her advanced walk trot canter class, placing fifth.

Freshman Rebecca Aguiar (Fall River, Mass.) had a beautiful ride on JJ in her first collegiate IHSA advanced walk trot canter show.

Junior Sydney Hawes (Pembroke, Mass.) rode Champ, a 15.1 brown paint gelding, and placed fourth in beginner walk trot canter.

To conclude a great day, senior Michelle Tonkonogy (Milford, Mass.) won her beginner walk trot canter class on Keebler, a 14.1 pinto pony.

The Bears placed ninth in the team scoring.

The Bears are off until Saturday, October 27th when they head to Holly Hill Show Stable in Hanover, Massachusetts for a show hosted by Boston University.