Victory at Home

On the weekend of November 5, the SCAD Equestrian Team hosted two shows of the IHSA fall show series. SCAD hosted 15 teams and 154 riders over the weekend. Of those riders, 21 competed for SCAD, and SCAD took home top scores both days.

On Saturday the team rode well enough to maintain a three-point lead over Central Florida, which earned them the Champion ribbon. Sunday was just as successful for the Bees, securing another champion title with a 10-point lead ahead of University of Northern Florida.

Riders Tatum Tatreau and Sarah Gordon scored High Point Rider and Reserve High Point Rider titles respectively on Sunday. Part of the team’s continued success is thanks to expert coaching from head Coach Ashley Henry and assistant coach Abbie Gibson, as well as the new members working hard. Firstyear riders Hannah Winslett, Molly Hoskins, Bean Haller-Hiser and Irina Hulse had their first chance to show for the team. They shared their experiences.

What was it like to show with the SCAD team for the first time?

Molly Hoskins: “Showing with the team for the first time let me see firsthand the high level of professionalism and dedication that every team member contributes, both on the ground and in the saddle. That atmosphere really motivated me.”

Hannah Winslett: “At the home show, I really enjoyed how everyone supported one another. The entire team was always around the ring supporting everyone who was showing. I was really nervous going into the show ring for the first time, especially after not schooling well earlier that week, but all the people I talked to were very encouraging and helped me feel more comfortable. I love being on the team! You come to the barn, which is such a beautiful facility, and there is this whole family that wants to help you succeed in class and in the ring. I haven’t been part of a team in a while so it feels great knowing that there are sixty people that want you to do well at SCAD.” Irina Hulse: “It was such a great and inspiring experience. I got to watch everyone show, letting me learn even more about the show world. I loved the energy and the dedication Ashley put into putting on a show that we can be truly proud of. I loved it, and it was the cherry on the top for us to have won the weekend.”

Bean Haller-Hiser: “I was thrilled to be selected to represent the team and that same motivation kept me going, although I was insanely nervous on the first go. I also really felt the love and support from all my teammates and Ashley and Abbie which helped immensely in the end. Now I feel a whole lot more confident and I was glad that I contributed, even minutely, to the team win for the weekend.”

No contribution was minute during the weekend. Every rider contributes immensely to the team points and standing at every show. No matter what division, every rider counts. With this in mind, the team recently worked hard to win with a 44 point score at University of North Florida, and is preparing next to compete at the Holiday Tournament of Champions on Dec. 3.

Rider Results for Saturday. Rider Results for Sunday.

Sarah Gordon: 1st Open Over Fences, 3rd Open Flat Tatum Tatreau: 4th Open Over Fences, 1st Open Flat Madison Albano: 1st Intermediate Over Fences Hannah Winslett: 2nd Intermediate Over Fences Mariel Cooper: 1st Novice Over Fences Isabella Rand: 2nd Novice Over Fences Kelsey Maloney: 5th Intermediate Flat Kate Morrison: 1st Intermediate Flat Isabel Wild: 1st Novice Flat Olivia Patsavas: 2nd Novice Flat Grace Amerling: 1st Novice Flat Ryan Castelli: 2nd Advanced WTC Kieran Paulsen: 1st Advanced WTC Bean Halle-Hiser: 3rd Beginner WTC Alex Neumann: 1st Walk/Trot Dana Rice: 1st Walk/Trot Sarah Gordon: 1st Open Over Fences, 1st Open Flat Tatum Tatreau: 1st Open Over Fences, 1st Open Flat Hannah Winslett: 2nd Intermediate Over Fences Caydee Dickensheets: 2nd Intermediate Over Fences Molly Hoskins: 1st Novice Over Fences Mariel Cooper: 1st Novice Over Fences Kate Morrison: 1st Intermediate Flat Kelsey Maloney: 5th Intermediate Flat Isabella Peek: 2nd Novice Flat Isabel Wild: 3rd Novice Flat Olivia Patsavas: 2nd Novice Flat Kieran Paulsen: 2nd Advanced WTC Irina Hulse: 1st Advanced WTC Bean Haller-Hiser: 1st Beginner WTC Alex Neumann: 3rd Walk/Trot Dana Rice: 1st Walk/Trot