Three Sweet Briar College riders traveled to Culpeper this past weekend to compete in the annual HITS Horse Shows — with great results.
Makayla Benjamin ’18 with Sweet Briar’s Dorado
Makayla Benjamin ’18, riding Sweet Briar’s Dorado, competed in the Modified Junior/Amateur Division, winning two classes in the over-fences phase and placing second in another. In the flat phase, she came in first, making the pair champion in the division and circuit champion in the Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter Division for the year.
In the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, Benjamin and Dorado came in 11th among a strong field of amateur and professional riders.
Emily Schlosberg ’19 competed on Sweet Briar’s Aate and started the weekend by earning a sixth place in a schooling hunter class out of 26 competitors. On Saturday and Sunday, Schlosberg and Aate competed in the Adult Amateur divisions. They placed fourth, fifth and seventh place in the adult hunter over-fences classes, second and sixth in adult equitation over fences and third in adult equitation on the flat. Schlosberg gave Aate great rides that will help build their partnership for many future competitions, said riding program director Mimi Wroten.
Kirsten Reinhart ’20, riding her horse Capari 3, started the weekend winning a seventh place in a low child/adult jumper class. On Saturday and Sunday, Reinhart and Capari moved up to the high child/adult jumper classes and placed second and seventh. The pair placed fifth in a 1.10-meter jumper class and 10th in the Child/Adult High Jumper Classic out of 21 competitors.
“All three of our students were great representatives of the College and the riding program,” Wroten said. “From the support given to each other, the care of their horses and respect shown to the other competitors, we are very proud and thankful to have them be a part of the Sweet Briar College riding program.”
Even bad weather couldn’t put a damper on the event, Wroten added, noting the riders got a boost from the crowd.
“We had a great weekend despite the rain, and caught up with some local alumnae who came to cheer on the Vixens,” she said.