April 19, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Five members of the 2005-2006 Sacred Heart Equestrian Team, along with the coaching staff, traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico today to compete in the Fifth Annual Varsity Equestrian National Championships. The team was one of twelve teams selected to contest this year's event, being hosted by New Mexico State at the New Mexico State Fair Grounds.

The format of this year's competition has changed from the past. Instead of the usual class format, a bracket system is being implemented. Schools have been seeded and paired up accordingly riding for the right to move on in the competition.

Competition for the 7th-seeded Pioneers will begin on Thursday when the team takes on number 10-seeded Baylor University. This will be the first meeting for both programs. The winner of the meeting will advance to ride against the second seed, the defending national champions from the University of South Carolina.

The travel squad consists of:

Catherine Coyle: A junior and three-year member of the Equestrian Team from Centerport, NY. For Coyle, season highlights include a win on the flat at the Fairfield Intercollegiate Horse Show and consistent finishes throughout the season over fences. This marks Coyle's third post-season VENC appearance. In New Mexico in 2005 Catherine finished just out of the ribbons, while the 2004 show saw her ride to a reserve finish over fences. Coyle will represent the Pioneers in both Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences at the 2006 competition.

Danielle Curcio: A junior team member from Long Valley, NJ. 2005-2006 marks Danielle's first full season with the Equestrian Team. In that time, she was one of the Pioneer's top competitors on the flat. Over fences, she constantly anchored the Team's Intermediate over Fences Division. High points of Curcio's season include a win on the flat at the St. Joseph's Intercollegiate Horse Show and a win over fences at the Columbia University Horse Show. This will be Curcio's preliminary post-season appearance for the Pioneers. Look for Curcio to compete in both Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences.

Kelly Johnson: Senior from Bedford, NY. A first-year team member, Johnson rode to exciting honors during her 2005-2006 campaign. At the Yale Intercollegiate Horse Show, Johnson was named the Reserve High Point Rider after riding off for the title. Top ribbons were earned at the Fairfield and Yale Intercollegiate Horse Shows. At the 2006 VENC, Kelly is traveling as the team's alternate for both the Equitation on the Flat and over Fences division.

Jessica Reynolds: Junior and third-year starter, Jessica Reynolds comes to the team from Meriden, CT. Reynolds had a successful 2005-2006 campaign which saw her record top finishes at the St. Joseph's Intercollegiate Horse Show on the flat and Columbia University Horse Show over fences. 2006 marks Reynolds second VENC appearance. In 2004, Reynolds rode to a reserve finish in Equitation on the Flat at the third annual Varsity Equestrian Championship. Reynolds will compete in Equitation on the Flat at the 2006 VENC and serve as the team's alternate over Fences.

Lauren Pierce: A junior and third-year starter on the Equestrian Team from Southington, CT. Pierce had a successful season that saw her qualify for the 2006 Zone 2, Region 4 Championship Horse Show in Open Equitation over Fences. In addition, Pierce recorded wins over fences at the St. Joseph Intercollegiate and Hofstra University Intercollegiate Horse Shows. On the flat, Pierce earned a win at the Fairfield University Intercollegiate Horse Show. To her credit, Pierce rode to a 3rd place finish at the 2005 VENC improving on her 4th place finish over fences at the 2004 VENC competition in Georgia. Pierce will compete in both in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences in New Mexico.

In addition to Sacred Heart, schools scheduled to compete include: Auburn University, Baylor University, Fresno State University, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, New Mexico State University, Oklahoma State University, University of South Carolina, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University.