Team USA at international riding competition has a decidedly pink and green hue
Posted on September 02, 2016 by Jennifer McManamay
In a surprise turn of events, Sweet Briar College students now make up two-thirds of Team USA in the AIEC-SRNC, an international student equestrian competition, Sept. 2-4 in Watergrasshill, County Cork, Ireland.
From left: Makayla Benjamin ’18, Chris Johnson of Purdue University and Courtney Barry ’18
Courtney Barry ’18, who went to Ireland as a volunteer, has joined engineering major Makayla Benjamin ’18 on the team after one of its three members had to drop out. Barry, a business major from Aspers, Pa., did more than step in during today’s dressage round: She is the only U.S. rider to advance to the final dressage phase of the event.
Benjamin was previously selected as one of three riders, along with Chris Johnson of Purdue University and Sarah Pollock, an alumna of Cal Poly Pomona, to represent the United States in Ireland. Barry has replaced Pollack.
The competition is a qualifying event for the AIEC Student Riding Nations Cup world finals later this year. Benjamin was a Silver League winner in the finals in Germany last year.
Preliminary jumping phases will be held Saturday and finals in both dressage and jumping will take place Sunday. Both Benjamin and Barry hope to advance in the jumping phase.
Find out more about the World University Equestrian Federation — known by its French abbreviation, AIEC — and the SRNC series at aiecworld.com.
From left: Makayla Benjamin ’18, Chris Johnson of Purdue University and Courtney Barry ’18Courtney Barry ’18, who went to Ireland as a volunteer, has joined engineering major Makayla Benjamin ’18 on the team after one of its three members had to drop out. Barry, a business major from Aspers, Pa., did more than step in during today’s dressage round: She is the only U.S. rider to advance to the final dressage phase of the event.
Benjamin was previously selected as one of three riders, along with Chris Johnson of Purdue University and Sarah Pollock, an alumna of Cal Poly Pomona, to represent the United States in Ireland. Barry has replaced Pollack.
The competition is a qualifying event for the AIEC Student Riding Nations Cup world finals later this year. Benjamin was a Silver League winner in the finals in Germany last year.
Preliminary jumping phases will be held Saturday and finals in both dressage and jumping will take place Sunday. Both Benjamin and Barry hope to advance in the jumping phase.
Find out more about the World University Equestrian Federation — known by its French abbreviation, AIEC — and the SRNC series at aiecworld.com.
