The Equestrian Club’s Western and Hunt Seat teams respectively earned third and sixth place out of nine at its first competition at Linn-Benton Community College. Three riders are now in the hunt to qualify for nationals.
Equestrian Club President Courtney Horan says this year’s team is one of the best teams she has seen since she joined the club her freshman year.
At the level the team is currently performing, Horan says that the team, with a freshman-dominated club, will only get better in the future.
Three-year member, Chiara Ciacci says the first competition for newcomers is difficult because they have to adjust to new rules and riding random horses — a process that is designed to create an equal playing field.
Despite adjustments that newcomers make, all new members placed in their classes.
Horan says that three individuals, Jessica Barker, Hannah Gray and Ciacci, are currently front runners to qualify for spots at the national competition in May in Lexington, Kentucky.
Barker and Gray placed first and third in Western, and Ciacci placed third and sixth in open flat and open fences for Hunt Seat. All three riders are in class 15, the most advanced and skilled group of riders at competitions.
“[Our club’s] abilities and understanding of horsemanship and riding are the best that we’ve ever had,” Horan said.
In order for individuals to qualify for nationals, riders must first earn a total of 28 points – riders earn more points the higher they place in events – to compete at regionals. From that point, riders must finish in the top two in regionals and the top two in their zone – which includes California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and New Mexico.
Ciacci is hoping to return to nationals this year after qualifying for it her freshman year. Ciacci says she is somewhat disappointed with her recent performance at Linn-Benton Community College where she lost focus and made technical mistakes in fences. Despite that, Ciacci is optimistic that she will make it to nationals. Ciacci plans to focus on the small nuances of riding that will make her “better than the rest.”
“I’m at the best level I’ve ever been technically in my position and riding,” Ciacci said.
Starting her first season with the club, Barker, who is ranked first in the nation for Western, is confident that she has the necessary skills to qualify for nationals. However, she is still working on the presentation aspect of riding to get even better.
“I’m at a level […] that it should be my goal to qualify for nationals,” Barker said.
Barker is also confident in the club’s abilities to become even stronger in the future because of every riders’ strong background in riding.
“We are going to dominate in the upcoming years. We don’t need to learn anything new. We just need to practice,” Barker said.
Equestrian Club riders show potential and set sights for nationals
Miles Trinidad
November 17, 2015
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