Equestrian's First Intercollegiate Horse Show

The Army West Point Equestrian Team made their first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association appearance of the season at Lagrangeville, NY. Crosswinds Equestrian Center Cadets represented USMA at each level of the day’s competition, earning high placings in many of their classes. Early in the day, Rachael Schloo ’20 and Holly Rodeo ’17 each placed third in Open Equitation over Fences and Novice Equitation over Fences, respectively. The Open and Intermediate Equitation over Fences courses on which Rachael Schloo and Merle Kreye ’16 competed were exceptionally challenging and included several roll backs and a stride combination. Merle Kreye went on to place third in Intermediate Equitation on the Flat. In the afternoon classes, Charlotte Hereford ’20 and Robert Seals ’20 each placed first in Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation and Madeline Suba ’19 placed first in Walk-Trot Equitation. The combined successes of all cadets led the team to place fourth out of the nine schools present, finishing only a few points behind the region’s leading team, Centenary College. Not only was this an excellent start for the team’s season, it was also many new team members’ first opportunity to compete in an IHSA show. For several other team members, this marked their advancement to the next division of competition. Charlotte Hereford ’20, Kathryn Sileccia ’19, and Madeline Suba each attained the maximum point earnings in their current divisions and will now move on to higher divisions. The Equestrian Team will be featured in Practical Horseman, a well-read magazine with international circulation. The story will focus on training methods to improve a rider’s base of support while in the saddle. The article will appear in the publication later this year. In addition to the challenges and triumphs of the practice, the afternoon was also highlighted by fun. The Equestrian Team offered well-received pony rides to the visiting officers’ children. Buttons was a willing participant, and everyone enjoyed a ride on this adorable chestnut pony. The Equestrian Team hopes that the storied Long Gray Line of riders will continue with these future Army West Point Equestrian Team members in the making!