Equestrian
The equestrian program at Smith has much to offer you, whether you’re just beginning or are already an advanced rider. Intercollegiate competition challenges accomplished riders, and instruction is offered from beginner through advanced levels. You may board a horse at Smith or ride and show any of 26 other horses. The program’s focus is hunter seat equitation and basic dressage and involves about 100 students each semester.
Almost all riders compete in some manner while at Smith, and many try out in the fall for the intercollegiate team. About 25 to 30 riders are chosen to fill the eight divisions, ranging from beginner walk-trot to open (Medal/Maclay). Intercollegiate showing is unique because riders are mounted on horses drawn by lot and provided by the host college. Students compete in about eight Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows each year, where they may qualify for the regional, zone and national finals.
Smith has sent riders to the finals consistently and has been in the top 3 of 12 colleges in Region III on a regular basis for the last 25 years. As champion college, Smith sent full teams to the nationals in 1985 and 1989. Individually, many of the team's members qualify for the regional, zone and national finals annually.
In addition to intercollegiate showing, you may compete on the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) circuit or in local schooling shows. Students also participate in clinics with noted professionals such as Ray Texel, Tim Kees, Judy Richter, Frank Madden, Bernie Traurig and Leslie Howard. Each year, Smith hosts an intercollegiate show, schooling shows and one or two clinics.
News:
16 Riders Bring Home 14 Top 4 Ribbons; 5 Qualify for Regional Championships
The Smith College equestrian team placed third out of twelve schools today at the Amherst Show in Amherst, MA. Mount Holyoke College placed first with 47 points, UMASS followed in second with 28 points, and Smith tied Becker for third-place with 27 points.
Continue reading...
Equestrians Tie for Third at Mount Holyoke Show; Three Qualify for Regionals
Charlotte Ballantine (Alstead, NH), Christine Stine (East Dover, VT) and Kristyn Hall (New Town, OH) qualified for Regionals today at the Mount Holyoke IHSA Show in walk, trot, canter; intermediate flat and novice flat respectively.
Continue reading...
Field Hockey Falls at Wheaton
First year Sarah Knowles (North Kingstown, RI) scored off a penalty corner from Trina Campbell (San Anselmo, CA) in the thirty-third minute of play today at Wheaton, but the Lyons went on to win the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest 5-1. With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 7-8 overall and 2-5 in the NEWMAC while the Lyons improved to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in conference competition.
Continue reading...
Morgan Brescia and Sarah Maxner Take Reserve Champion Honors at Smith Show
Morgan Brescia (Seekonk, MA) tied for Reserve Champion Overall High Point Rider and Sarah Maxner (Norwich, VT) took Novice Reserve Champion High Point Rider honors today at the IHSA show held today at Smith College.
Continue reading...
Equestrians Qualify Two for Regionals in First Show
Sophomores Morgan Brescia (Seekonk, MA) and Anya Bahros (Norwell, MA) both qualified for Regionals today at the UMass Intercollegiate Horse Show. Brescia took second in walk, trot, canter while Bahros was first on the flat and third over fences.
Continue reading...
Maxner Finishes 11th in the Nation
Sarah Maxner (Norwich, VT) placed eleventh out of eighteen riders today in the walk, trot, canter class at the IHSA Nationals held in Los Angeles, California.
Continue reading...
Equestrian Sarah Maxner Qualifies for Nationals
Sophomore equestrian Sarah Maxner (Norwich, VT) was Reserve Champion today in Walk, Trot, Canter in Zone competition held at Mount Holyoke College. Today's walk, trot, canter class was comprised to the top two riders from all four regions in New England. With her second place finish, she has qualified for Nationals which will be held at the Los Angeles, California Equestrian Center from May 8-11.
Continue reading...
Equestrians Compete at Regionals
Sophomore Sarah Maxner (Norwich VT)was Champion in Walk, Trot, Canter today at Regionals held at the University of Massachusetts and will compete next weekend at the Zone Championships to be held at Mount Holyoke College.
Continue reading...
Equestrian Earns 21 Ribbons at Smith Show
The Pioneers claimed 21 ribbons, 13 of which were fourth place finishes or higher, at the Smith College Equestrian Show this afternoon in Northampton, MA. The University of Massachusetts was the High Point College with 43 points, while Mount Holyoke was the Reserve High Point College with 36 points. Becker College took third with 26 points, Amherst College followed in fourth with 25 points, and Smith finished fifth with 24 points.
Continue reading...
