Sweet Briar riders show up fierce at SWVHJA, IHSA competitions

Photo by Ellyn Narodowy ’20


A resilient group of students competed at the 29th Annual South West Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association Horse Show in Lexington Nov. 3-5, scoring multiple ribbons. Meanwhile on Saturday, the IHSA team claimed the reserve championship at the University of Richmond.

In Lexington, the Vixens came out on top in many large classes. Among the top riders was Courtney Barry ’18, who finished as the 2017 SWVHJA Adult Hunt Seat Medal Reserve Champion. Barry rode Sweet Briar’s Love Z through a challenging medal course.

Sarah Miller ’20 rode Sweet Briar’s Mulligan and was awarded the Best Special/Intermediate Rider as picked by the judge. Miller brought home blue ribbons in the Randolph College Medal and the special hunter under-saddle. The pair also placed third in the special hunter over-fences and fourth in the Sweet Briar College Medal.

Other highlights included Emily Schlosberg ’19 with Sweet Briar’s Theodore, who placed second and fifth in the 3-foot low hunters.

The IHSA team came back fierce this weekend and finished the day as reserve champions at the University of Richmond. The IHSA show was held at Haverhill Farm. One highlight of the day was Marina Biel ’18 winning her walk, trot, canter class, which qualified her for the Zone 4, Region 4 finals in February.


The IHSA team scored several ribbons — and the reserve championship — in Richmond.


Also awarded blue ribbons were Lily Peterson ’21 in novice fences and Cassie Mills ’20 in walk, trot. In open flat, Aoife Magner ’19 placed second and Makayla Benjamin ’18 placed sixth. In open fences, Benjamin placed third and Emily Schlosberg ’19 placed sixth. Schlosberg and Jules Sudol ’17 both competed in intermediate flat and placed third in their respective sections.

Also pinning third was Erin Snyder ’20, who competed in walk, trot, canter. Barry rode for the team in intermediate fences and placed fourth. In novice flat, Ailish Rhoades ’20 placed second and Cassie Fenton ’18 placed fourth. Rhoades also competed in novice fences and placed sixth.

Next, the IHSA team travels to the College of William & Mary on Nov. 18. More riding events can be found here.