Eight Equestrian Riders Gallop Into Regionals

Eight riders on the Hawk equestrian team qualified for 10 spots at Regionals on March 26, earning the team seven ribbons. "Becker filled the board," said Equestrian Coach Trina Baker.

To put the achievements in perspective, Baker said that the Hawk equestrians are a small team at 16 riders, competing against teams of 20 to 40. "We have a really strong, cohesive team this year; I am honored and proud to work with them," said Coach Baker, calling her student athletes (90% are on the Dean's List), "solid citizens."

Baker pointed out that the Hawks have earned a respectable number of blue ribbons in the lower divisions in the past, but this team has become a contender in more advanced classes. "They drilled and drilled and were determined to put in the time and effort; there is no gift," Coach Baker said of the team.

The Hawks are one of 10 colleges competing this year in Region 1 of the newly reorganized Zone 1 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association; the team had historically competed in Region 3.

Nicole Wilk placed sixth in the Open division on the Flat, but took the first place blue ribbon in the Open Fences class, qualifying her to go on to compete at Zones.

Wilk transferred to Becker in 2009. Coach Baker said that Wilk came to every practice and asked good questions. "When the pressure turned up, she started winning," said Coach Baker, accounting for Wilk's success. Wilk is among the best riders in the region, competing at the most advanced level, Coach Baker explained.

"It felt good to know that I had made it to the next round and to be one of the top riders in our region," said Wilk, an equine studies major. "Winning my jumping class was even more exciting. I'm qualified for zones in a couple of weeks and I feel very lucky to have made it so far."

In the Intermediate division, Kelly Foote took fourth place in the Fences class. Foote, a new student, achieved the daunting task of earning the 35 points necessary to move from the Intermediate to Open division, in just one season. Most riders take two to three years to amass that many points, Coach Baker said.

In the Novice division, Laurel Benoit competed in the Flat and Fences classes, and Rachel Carter and Brittany Martin competed in the Fences class. Carter drew the difficult first rider position and claimed fourth place. Martin placed eighth.

Jessica Banta won the Walk-Trot-Canter division and will compete at Zones. Banta, a nursing student, said of her win, "Placing first at Regionals was overwhelming, and I couldn't believe it. I came to Becker four years ago not knowing how to ride and I would never have been able to come this far without the support of my coaches and team. It has been a great experience riding in IHSA."

Kelsey Hanrahan also competed in the Walk-Trot-Canter division, a ride-off pitting 16 riders against each other. Hanrahan made it to the final heat and is the ninth ranked rider, putting her in the top third, in the region in this division.

Ashley Pope took second place in the Walk-Trot division and will compete at Zones. "It feels fantastic, all the hard work really paid off, and I definitely couldn't have made it this far without the team's support," said Pope, a pre-veterinary student.

Banta, Pope and Wilk will go on to Zones on April 9, at Mt. Holyoke College, where they will compete among nearly 2,000 riders. A first or second place win would qualify to continue on to the Nationals held at the Kentucky Horse Park, May 5-9.

Story Courtesy of Sandy Lashin-Curewitz