Pios Show Well at UConn Doubleheader

Sunday, October 29

Storrs, CT

Sacred Heart

University of Connecticut

10/30/2023 11:34:00 AM | Equestrian

Three Pios qualify for regional competition

By: Cameron McClarren

STORRS, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University equestrian team continued its run of three-straight weekend shows, earning High Point Team and Reserve High Point Team honors in an Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) doubleheader against UConn on Sunday, October 29.

The Pios took home High Point Team honors in the Blue Show portion of the doubleheader, beating UConn 35-28 on the strength of three first place showings. Lauren Radi earned her second Open Fences victory of the season while Mackenzie Hamilton and Sophia Poling earned top honors in Open Flat, and Limit Flat Section A, respectively.

In the White Show portion, the Red & White competed well with three first place showings but could not catch up to the Huskies who took High Point Team honors with a 44-28 result. Nicole Albert took home her first Open Fences victory while Cynthia Estey earned the top spot in Intermediate Fences for the first time this season. Isabella Ruisi rounded out the trio of Pios who earned first-place with a victory in Limit Fences Section A.

SHU also had three riders qualify for regionals as Elliana Forgione and Paige Sutton earned regional spots in Limit Fences while Ciara O'Sullivan qualified in Novice Flat.

Blue Show
Team Score

Sacred Heart (35 points)
UConn (28 points)

Individual Results
Amanda Cosentino – 2^nd Novice Flat
Beverly Banerji – 4^thIntermediate Flat
Ella DiFazio – 2^nd Open Fences
Elliana Forgione – 5^th Limit Flat Sec A
Lauren Radi – 1^st Open Fences, 4^th Open Flat
Mackenzie Hamilton – 1^st Open Flat
Morgan McCrave – 2^nd Introductory Flat
Paige Sutton – 2^nd Limit Fences Sec B
Emily Belies – 6^th Intermediate Flat
Sophia Poling – 1^st Limit Flat Sec A

White Show
Team Score

UConn (44 points)
Sacred Heart (28 points)

Regional Qualifiers
Ciara O'Sullivan - Novice Flat
Elliana Forgione - Limit Fences
Paige Sutton - Limit Fences

Individual Results
Ciara O'Sullivan – 4^th Novice Flat
Cynthia Estey – 1^st Intermediate Fences
Ella DiFazio – 5^th Intermediate Flat
Elliana Forgione – 3^rd Limit Fences Sec B
Erin Phillips – 2^nd Intermediate Fences
Isabella Ruisi – 1^st Limit Fences Sec A
Lauren Radi – 2^nd Open Fences, 4^th Open Flat
Mackenzie Hamilton – 4^th Open Fences
Nicole Albert – 1^st Open Fences
Paige Sutton – 4^th Limit Flat Sec A
Sofia Greene – 4^th Limit Flat Sec B

Up Next:
The Pios are back in action this weekend with a pair of shows in both the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) and IHSA formats. The Red & White will host Bridgewater on Saturday, November 4, for an NCEA bout before heading to Hartford, Conn., to take on Trinity in an IHSA show on Sunday, November 5. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.