At a glance
“Tripling the team roster from the previous year, we were able to bring more riders to shows and introduce new riders to the sport for future competitions,” Mallory Morehouse said.
Following a successful fall campaign, the Alfred State Hunt Seat Team wrapped up an equally impressive spring season and is already looking forward to the future.
According to Team Adviser Mallory Morehouse, the team had the opportunity to show off more talent than ever before during 2018-19.
“Tripling the team roster from the previous year, we were able to bring more riders to shows and introduce new riders to the sport for future competitions,” Morehouse said.
After earning nine ribbons in the fall, the team continued its success during the spring season. At the first show of the second semester, which was held at Alfred University, Sarrah Matla, architecture, Le Roy, received a third place in novice fences, while Teaghan Mix, undeclared, Moravia, also earned a third in beginner WTC (walk-trot-canter). Anne Downs, veterinary technology, Katonah, and Danielle Verplank, business administration, both pulled fourth places in their respective divisions.
The team’s best performance of the season was during the second spring show, which was also held at Alfred University. Matla (novice fences) and Raean Paryz, technology management, Derby (advanced WTC), both received fourth places. Verplank (intermediate fences) and Molly Kase, architecture, Rochester (novice flat), both earned third places.
Additionally, Verplank (intermediate flat), Downs (novice flat), and Mix (beginner WTC) all took second places. Downs (novice fences) received first place. Due to her great performance in both of her rides, Downs earned reserve hi-point rider of the show, which is the first the team has had in over four years.
“It was a great show to end the regular season,” Morehouse said.
After pointing out of their divisions, both Verplank (novice flat) and Paryz (advanced WTC) moved on to Regionals in Cornell. With both riding in the biggest classes of the day, neither rider received the results they had hoped for, Morehouse said. However, she noted the competition was a great experience and that the team looks forward to having riders make another appearance at Regionals in the upcoming season.
“Zone 2, Region 1 has a total of 14 schools. As one of the smallest schools to compete in our region, the team did very well and is looking forward to doing even better next year,” Morehouse said. “This group of riders has led to growth in the team along with the equestrian club and has had such a great time doing so. We cannot wait to see what next season has in store for the Alfred State Hunt Seat Team.”