Nov.. 13, 2005

LEONIA, NJ - The Sacred Heart Equestrian Team rode to close out the fall portion of the 2005-2006 calendar today at the Columbia University Horse Show.

Open Flat started the day with Team co-captain Ashley Coppola and Jackie Covert in the ring. After a two-week drought with regards to flat placings, Coppola wiped the slate clean in impressive fashion, winning the opening class of the day. Covert followed with a 4th place finish. In Section B, Juniors Catherine Coyle and Jessica Reynolds entered the ring. Reynolds again bested the SHU duo, earning a 4th place finish, with Coyle finishing out of the ribbons. In Section C, teammates Lauren Pierce and Danielle Curcio rode to complete the division. Pierce finished in Reserve with Curcio finishing out of the ribbons.

The second division of the day was Open Fences where Coyle and Covert found themselves up first. Riding a large and challenging course, the duo rode to 3rd and 4th place finishes, respectively. This was a repeat of last weekend's ribbons over fences for both riders. In Section B, Pierce returned to the ring. Putting in a strong trip, Pierce disappointingly finished in Reserve.

Intermediate Fences followed with Brittany Bridgman and Danielle Curcio returning to the ring. Curcio put down an unmatchable trip and was awarded her first win of the season over fences. Bridgman struggled with her draw and finished out of the ribbons. In Section B, Coppola returned to the ring where she rode to a Reserve finish. In Section C, Reynolds also put in a strong trip finishing 2nd. This marks Reynolds strongest finish over fences since the start of the season.

The show continued with Section A of Intermediate Flat. In her Intermediate Debut, Nicole Lay found herself in strong competitive company. Showing her skills which moved her out of Novice, Lay was able to ride to a 6th place finish. In Section B, Bridgman returned to the ring where she finished out of the ribbons. Section C followed with Sara Spagna entering the ring and also finishing without placing.

After a lunch break, and three classes of Alumni, the Novice riders made their way to the ring. Freshman Ashley Carr was first to compete for the Pioneers. A strong showing netted her a 2nd place finish, which was her best finish to-date, over fences. Senior Kelly Johnson contested Section B and finished without placing. In Section C, Lay returned to the ring. Needing to place 2nd or better, for a second post-season berth, Lay had a challenge in front of her. Always one to rise to the occasion, Lay followed teammate Carr, and earned her own 2nd place finish. This was a match of her season high performance over fences at the Hofstra Show. Lay will now have 2 rides at the start of the post-season.

Novice Flat followed with Carr returning to compete in Section A. A third place finish netted the freshman another 4 points to her individual total. In Section C, Johnson returned to the ring, and matched teammate Carr's performance, netting the team 4 additional points.

After waiting for Section D of Novice Flat to pass, the Walk-Trot-Canter riders were ready to compete. First up was Cintrece Brown. In a class of 8, Brown outperformed half of the class to finish in 4th place. This was a personal best performance since joining the team in the Spring of 2005. Teammate Jordan Dube followed in Section 2. Dube rode to a 3rd place finish, which was her second best performance to date. In Section 3, Allison Reinhardt closed out the Advanced sections of Walk-Trot-Canter. A 6th place finish added another point to the team's totals for the day. Team co-captain Kelly McGovern was the final contestant of the day, in Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter. In what was clearly one of her strongest performances to date, McGovern battled to a 2nd place finish.

The Pioneers now head into the winter break and will resume competition at the Yale University Intercollegiate Horse Show on February 26, 2006.