|
Georgia Southern’s equestrian team placed second in the first of three shows they host this year.
The team competes against various schools in the southeast as a member of Region 3 Zone 5 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. They compete in both Western and English styles.
In order to be ready for competition, riders attend one-hour lesson twice a week.
The team hosts shows which allows them to raise the money necessary for the upkeep of the 30 horses and team expenses. The 30 horses are a mixture of Thoroughbreds, Quarter horses, Purebreds and Warmbloods.
Coach Eleanor Ellis is entering her 12th season with high expectations.
Under Ellis’ direction, the team has had a National Qualifier every year. Ellis said, “The GSU program is a diverse program. It’s, fun and at such a big school, it helps you to make friends.”
This was just explicitly stated Goals for this year include beating rival and perennial region winner, College of Charleston, and earning first place in the Cacchione Cup.
The team welcomed 15 freshmen this year. Ellis has been able to put together the freshmen class because of marketing aimed towards high school students and the interscholastic team.
The interscholastic team allows GSU to get its name out to prospective riders. The increased exposure has provided Ellis with many freshmen. She said, “The only problem with having so many freshman is having to get them trained.” However, they have already provided evidence of promise.
Megan Pakradooni and Michelle Hellum are just two of the freshmen riders who have placed this year.
Further training will be key if the team is to overthrow the College of Charleston and claim the title of region champions.
The team’s last region championship was in the Western style in 2006.
This freshman class has been dubbed as the “leaders of tomorrow” by the coach. Ellis will be aided by her five senior riders, who she said she will be sorry to lose.
These seniors are one of the reasons Coach Ellis has high expectations this season. The upcoming seniors were already a decorated class and enter the 2009 season improved and looking to make a serious run at the region title.
Mallory Barrett, described by her coach as most improved, looks to improve on last season where she was Reserve Nation Champion as a rider in the novice fences class.
She placed second out of 3,000 riders. Barrett has been the first Reserve National Champion for the program since 2005.
Kaitlin Coffey’s patience has improved steadily since her freshman year according to Ellis. The senior rider’s improvement has allowed her to start off the year strong, winning first place in both her intermediate over fences and flat class.
“My personal goal for the year is to make Nationals, while my goal for the team is to win the Region title,” Coffey said.
Even though the team isn’t traveling there this year, her favorite meet is the Miami meet because she gets to watch Olympic riders. Ellis said, “She performs best at College of Charleston and GSU.”
Senior Kirsten Bulkeley, a business marketing major from Marietta, Ga, aims to win first place and claim the Chacchione Cup along with its many prizes.
In addition to being on the team, Bulkeley competes individually. She will be competing in the upcoming Medal Finals with her horse, Joker. She hopes to continue horse riding in her future after college.
Besides competing, riders are required to participate in fundraisers and community service projects. The equestrian team will show two of its 30 horses, Joker and Dodger, at the upcoming homecoming parade.
Participation in the homecoming parade will allow the team to earn CRI points, which will go toward winning the award for CRI Club Sport of the year.
|
