Sweet Briar College IHSA team wins region championship

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Admin


IHSA team champions The IHSA team celebrates with President Woo outside Sweet Briar House on Saturday.


Sweet Briar College’s Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association team made up a 6-point deficit behind Liberty University and Randolph-Macon College to win the Zone 4, Region 4 championship on Sunday, Feb. 18.

With three high-point rider wins in the last three competitions of the season, Makayla Benjamin ’18 finished strong as the region’s high-point rider, or Cacchione Cup region champion. She will automatically advance to Zones, along with the team, to compete against other region winners in Zone 4 at Virginia Tech on April 7.


Makayla Benjamin champion Makayla Benjamin (center) with head coach Lizzie Fisch (left) and assistant coach Madison Cromwell


Individual results from the Region Finals at Liberty University on Saturday, Feb. 24, include Jade Ashley ’20 as Region 4 champion in walk, trot. Benjamin was champion in open flat and reserve champion in open fences. Both Benjamin and Ashley will move on to Zone Finals to compete as individuals. Emily Schlosberg ’19 placed third in novice flat, Courtney Barry ’18 was fourth in intermediate fences and fifth in novice flat, Aoife Magner ’19 landed in fifth place in open flat, and Marina Biel ’18 placed fifth in walk, trot, canter.

“Ending the season as region champions would not have been possible without the hard work of each team member throughout the year,” said IHSA head coach Lizzie Fisch. “We want to thank all the parents, family members and alumnae who devoted their weekends to come cheer us on all year!”

This is the third time Sweet Briar’s IHSA team has won the regional championship, following wins in 2006 and 2009. The team claimed several reserve championships and individual wins over the years.