Riding Teams Weather Blizzard to Qualify for Finals
Submitted by: Horses in the South
Phone: 540-291-1000
Email Address: katrina.weinig(at)gmail.com
Date Added: 3/15/2010
Blizzard Doesn’t Stop Stone Bridge Farm’s Interscholastic Equestrian Association Riding Teams from Qualifying for Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships
NATURAL BRIDGE, VA - February 9, 2010 - Trainer Lilly deSousa and Stone Bridge Farm’s Interscholastic Equestrian Association teams didn’t let the single-digit temperatures and the State’s snow emergency stop them from attending, and winning, at the Headquarters Farm IEA Horse Show on January 30, 2010 in White Post, VA. The show day turned out to worthwhile despite the weather, with the girls riding out of the ring with the High School Champion and Middle School Reserve Championship ribbons, clinching a spot for both teams at Zone III Finals in April.
Now Stone Bridge Farm’s High School and Middle School Riding Teams, coached by deSousa, has earned enough points to qualify for the Mid-Atlantic Championships, to be held in Maryland in April. Fifteen students from Lylburn Downing Middle School, Rockbridge Country High School, and other schools around the region, have competed at Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) events against other teams from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania throughout the year. Their successes, including three Championships and two Reserve Championships, secured each team a spot at the Regional Finals. In addition, many of the riders have also qualified for individual spots at the finals.
“Riding is usually an individual sport, and this type of team competition is really fun,†stated RCHS freshman Carly Williams. “We have a great time together as a team, and all the riders really support each other,†schoolmate Olivia Fleming agreed. Together the riders have traveled to competitions in Maryland and Northern Virginia, but it was only when it came load up the horses and pack up the equipment at last weekend’s show that they realized that this time they were snow bound. And along with parents, the group buckled down to weather the storm until it passed at last weekend’s competition. “We got snowed in and had to stay overnight,†explained RCHS junior Alexis Cash, “but it was great – we all went out for Chinese food and a hot tub afterwards.â€
“National Finals are in the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta in May, it would be amazing to ride there,†said 8th grader Rachel Paxton, who attends LDMS. “We all want to do well at Regionals, so we can get to Atlanta this year!†agreed Andrew Kalasky, a sophomore at Perry Mclure High School, who is in his second year of IEA competition. “These kids have come so far as riders this year,†stated coach deSousa, who teaches at the full service equestrian facility in Natural Bridge, Virginia. “They are all riding at a much higher level, and showing real commitment to their team, the sport, and horsemanship in general. It's a pleasure to train them, and we're all hoping for success at Regionals!â€
Other riders from the Roanoke area included Tyler Bailey (a senior at Northcross School), Lizzie Bailey, Madison Macher and Emily Perkins Hanna Carter (a senior at Northcross School). Riders from Lychburg also included Katie Fisher (a freshman at Amherst County High School), Elizabeth Campbell and Abbey Wegert.
For further information on Stone Bridge Farm (100 Equus Loop, Natural Bridge, VA 24578/Tel: 540-291-1000), the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Teams, riding programs, camps, lessons, international programs or further information about the full service stable, go to www.stonebridgefarm.net.
|
