GREENVALE, N.Y. – The women's equestrian team led wire to wire at Zone 2 Finals, hosted by Long Island University – Post, to earn the Zone Championship title and a spot at the IHSA National Horse Championship Horse Show.  The Thoroughbreds finished first or second in every team class, earning a score of 48 and a commanding lead over Reserve Champion Saint Lawrence University (38 points).  In addition, three riders qualified individually in 5 different classes.  Four Skidmore horses, Crosby, James, Mo, and Skye, also made the trip to compete.

The day's competition started with the Individual Equitation over Fences, with Kenya Sanders '26 and Aidan McNamara '27 competing.  After a strong first round from all riders, Sanders and McNamara were called back with two other riders for further testing.  At the conclusion of the work off, Sanders qualified for Nationals with a second place, and McNamara was fourth.  Sanders returned in the next class, the Team Open Equitation over Fences, which she won handily aboard Skidmore's Skye.  Sanders kept riding in the jumping phase of the Cacchione Cup Qualfier, putting in a beautiful round on Skidmore's Crosby.

Harper Sanford '25 stepped into the ring next, competing in the Individual Intermediate Equitation over Fences. A strong ride earned her a place in the work off, and after a solid test on Crosby, Sanford finished second, becoming the Thoroughbred's second individual qualifier.

Next up was Sadie Nesbitt '25 in the Team Intermediate Equitation over Fences.  Nesbitt showed great technique with smooth rides in both the first round and the work off to finish second.  Elise Sigety '24 was first in the ring for the Team Limit Equitation over Fences, and set a standard that no one could beat, earning another blue for the Thoroughbreds.

The afternoon's flat classes started with the Individual Limit Equitation on the Flat.  Kayla Piper '24 and Isa Jensen '27 put in solid rides to finish third and ninth, respectively.  Charlotte Lyon '25 rode next in the Team Limit Equitation on the Flat, putting in a strong ride in stiff competition to finish second.  Stella Allen '27 added another second place with a beautiful ride in her Team Novice Equitation.

Emma Jennison '24 was the next individual qualifier for Nationals, demonstrating great style to win the Individual Introductory Equitation.  Bevin Dean '26 won the Team introductory Equitation, adding another win to the team's score.  Sophia Olivero '26 rode strongly through a challenging Individual Intermediate Equitation to finish third, and Jensen returned to finish second in the Team Intermediate Equitation on the Flat.

The day finished with the Open riders returning for their flat classes. Sanford and Sanders put in outstanding efforts in the Individual Open Equitation on the Flat, with Sanford winning the class for the third year in a row.  Sanders was fourth.  Sanford remounted for the Team Open Equitation on the Flat, and showed great consistency to win again, finishing the teams score card.  Sanders returned for the final class, the Flat Phase of the Cacchione Qualifier.  She put in a spectacular ride to win the Cacchione, earning her another individual ride at Nationals.

Team and qualified riders, along with horses and support crew, will travel to the IHSA National Championship Horse Show in Tryon, North Carolina May 3-5.
 
Results (* = National Qualifier)
Kenya Sanders '26        *Individual Open Equitation over Fences 2^nd
                                       Team Open Equitation over Fences 1^st
                                        Individual Open Equitation on the Flat 4^th
                                        *Cacchione Cup Qualifier 1^st
Aidan McNamara '27     Individual Open Equitation over Fence 4^th
Harper Sanford '25            *Individual Intermediate Equitation over Fences 2^nd
                                        *Individual Open Equitation on the Flat 1^st
                                       Team Open Equitation on the Flat 1^st
Sadie Nesbitt '25            Team Intermediate Equitation over Fences 2^nd
Elise Sigety '24              Team Limit Equitation over Fences 1^st
Kayla Piper '24              Individual Limit Equitation on the Flat 3^rd
Isa Jensen '27               Individual Limit Equitation on the Flat 9^th
                                    Team Intermediate Equitation on the Flat 2^nd
Stella Allen '27              Team Novice Equitation 2^nd
Emma Jennison '24       *Individual Introductory Equitation 1^st
Bevin Dean '26              Team Introductory Equitation 1^st
 
Skidmore College                      48
St Lawrence University              38
Long Island University – Post    35
Cornell University                      30
Seton Hall University                 15