Scoring best result in over a decade, Sweet Briar finishes eighth at IHSA Nationals

Sweet Briar’s IHSA team at nationals. Photo by Ellyn Narodowy


The Sweet Briar Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team finished eighth in the country as part of the Collegiate Cup competition at the IHSA National Championships, while sophomore Kaitlin Duecker finished fourth as an individual in novice equitation on the flat at the New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center.

Individually, Duecker (Chesapeake, Va.) earned fourth place in novice equitation on the flat, finishing ahead of riders from UCLA, Florida and Savannah College of Art and Design, in addition to other colleges. Molly Krause of Skidmore wrapped up novice equitation on the flat as the individual champion.

In the Collegiate Cup, Sweet Briar finished eight with 18 team points. The Vixens edged Purdue by two points for eighth and were two points shy of Penn State in seventh.

Sarah Miller (Amissville, Va.) earned the first three points for Sweet Briar, placing seventh in novice equitation over fences.

Five additional team points came on Thursday, with Duecker finishing fifth in intermediate equitation on the flat.

Day two of competition saw the Vixens earn 10 team points, with first-year Pauli Born placing eighth in walk, trot equitation. Eight more team points came the Vixens’ way in walk, trot, canter equitation, when junior Abbey Narodowy (North Smithfield, R.I.) finishing as the reserve champion.

First-year Chloe Kerschl (Lexington, Va.) and senior Ailish Rhoades (Lebanon, Conn.) also rode for the Vixens at the IHSA National Championships.

Sweet Briar last placed in Collegiate Cup competition during the 2009 IHSA National Championships, which saw the Vixens place 10th with five team points. In 2009, the Vixens earned four points in intermediate equitation over fences and one in intermediate equitation on the flat.

Emory & Henry was the Collegiate Cup champion with 50 points, while Savannah College of Art and Design was the reserve champion with 43.