Hollins University

 

 

The Hollins riders just completed their shows for the fall 2009 semester and the highlights are many.

At the Pre-Season Classic Invitational Horse Show on Sept. 27, Hollins' two teams tied for fifth place out of 20 competitors and Katie Furches '10 won the Gold Medal Class. On Oct. 16 at the Randolph College IHSA Horse Show, Hollins was the High Point College and Furches earned High Point Rider. This success was duplicated two days later at the Hollins IHSA Horse Show. At both the Bridgewater College and University of Virginia IHSA Horse Shows on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, respectively, Hollins was the Reserve Champion High Point College. And, at the Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Annual Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center Nov. 6-8, Furches won the Gold Medal Finals while Sarah Jarosinski '12, Tyne Hovda '11, Abby Quinn '12, Emma Lane Poole '13, Kirsten Poag '12, and Abby Gonzalez '10 also delivered standout performances.

Hollins now leads its IHSA region in points and Furches is the leading rider in the Cacchione Cup competition.

The Hollins riding team enjoyed an impressive 2008-09 season in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competition.

The team finished second in Zone 4, Region 2 of the IHSA; over the course of nine shows, Hollins was Champion team twice and Reserve Champion four times. The team also had the Individual High Point Rider three times and Reserve High Point Rider once. Katie Furches ’10 was Individual High Point Rider at one show and Reserve Champion High Point Rider at another, while Meredith McDonnell '12 was High Point Rider twice.

At the IHSA Regional Horse Show held at the University of Virginia on February 22, three riders earned third place or better, which qualified them for the Zone Horse Show to be held on April 5 at the University of Mary Washington. These riders are:

• Katie Furches ’10: 2nd Open Equitation on the flat and 2nd Open Equitation over fences
• Mallory Potock ’09: 3rd Novice Equitation on the flat
• Meredith McDonnell ’12: 3rd Novice Equitation over fences

 

Hollins team members won other championships and reserve championships aboard Hollins horses. Many of those horses have been donated by alumnae who display their allegiance to Hollins by generously donating some wonderful horses to this strong and well established program. Through the leadership of Riding Center Director Nancy Peterson, Hollins continues to receive national recognition as a powerhouse among colleges and universities with riding programs. Head Coaches Sandy Gerald and Liz Courter are icons in the riding world and are two of the most revered individuals in collegiate coaching. Stable Manager Elise Roschen is one of the most respected horsewomen in the business and skillfully blends the barn, the employees and the horses into a true team.