Sweet Briar riders compete at Randolph and Hollins

Sweet Briar’s IHSA team stops for a group shot after Sunday’s competition at Hollins University.


Sweet Briar’s Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association team traveled to Randolph College and Hollins University this past weekend, returning with a fourth-place finish at Randolph and solid individual results in both competitions.

Saturday’s showing at Randolph started off strong with Makayla Benjamin ’18 winning her section of open fences and placing second in open flat. Fellow junior Rosie Powers competed in open flat and placed sixth in her section. Emily Schlosberg ’19 won her novice flat class and was sixth in open fences. Senior Maddy Lee placed second in her novice flat class, which qualified her for regionals.

In their sections of novice flat, Cassie Fenton ’18 came in second and Katie Fisher ’17 was fourth. In advanced walk, trot, canter, first-years Ellen Narodowy and Erin Snyder each placed second in their respective sections. In the walk, trot division, Jade Ashley ’20 placed third. Fellow first-year Cassie Mills started her IHSA career with a strong sixth-place finish.


Makayla Benjamin during Saturday’s competition at Randolph College. Photo by Katherine Powers


The team finished fourth overall.

On Sunday, Sweet Briar riders traveled to Hollins University to compete in their sixth show of the season. Highlights included Lee qualifying for regionals in novice fences and earning a third place in her division. Benjamin qualified for regionals in open flat with a sixth-place finish. She also placed fifth in open fences. Lee competed in her first intermediate flat class after pointing out at Randolph the day before and rode to a strong third-place finish.

Katrina Matz ’17 competed in intermediate fences and finished third, while sophomore Nicole Sabovik placed fourth in novice fences. In beginner walk, trot, canter, McKenzie Michiels ’20 finished second and in advanced walk, trot, canter, Marina Biel ’18 ended up fifth. Ashley competed again in walk, trot and placed fourth. Fisher came in sixth in novice flat.

The team has a busy month ahead, competing next at Bridgewater College on Feb. 18.