Equestrian Captures First-Ever Zone Crown

Saturday, April 6

South Hadley, MA

9 a,m.

Sacred Heart

IHSA Zone I Championship

Equestrian Captures First-Ever Zone Crown

4/6/2024 6:41:00 PM | Equestrian

Pioneers advance to IHSA Nationals in May

By: Cameron McClarren

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. — For the first time in program history, the Sacred Heart University Equestrian team captured the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Zone I Championship crown, finishing nine points higher than its closest competitor at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center on Saturday. SHU will advance to compete at the IHSA Nationals in Mill Center, N.C. from May 2-5.

The Pioneers had remarkable showings in both the Flat and Fences portion of the competition with SHU claiming four first place showings throughout the day. In the Fences portion, Reagan Waggoner followed up her third-place finish at the Zone I Region V Championships with a first-place showing in Intermediate Fences on Saturday to grab the lone first place ribbon on the day in Fences. Kylie Hwalek and Kayla DeStephanis also had strong showings with fourth and third place showings in the Open and Limit Fences, respectively.

The Pioneers claimed a majority of their nine-point victory over the University of Vermont with three first place showings in the Flat. Ava Flannery claimed her second-consecutive win in Novice after claiming the top spot at the Zone I Region V Championships in March. Carina Muratore and Erin Phillips provided SHU with the remaining two first place showings with top honors in the Open and Intermediate Flat. The Pios also received strong performances in Limit Flat and Introductory Flat as Isabella Ruisi's second place in the Limit and Kelly Mecatl's fourth place showing in the Intro gave the Pioneers an insurmountable lead over the rest of the field.

Individually, the Pioneers – who advanced three riders from regional qualification – received strong outings from Lauren Radi, Paige Sutton and Ciara O'Sullivan, headlined by O'Sullivan claiming fifth in the Novice Flat.

Up Next:
The Pioneers will be back in action on May 2-5 at the IHSA National Championship in Mill Center, N.C. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.

Team Results
Zone I Champions- SHU (43 points)
Zone I Reserve Champions- University of Vermont (34 points)
3^rd - Mount Holyoke (33 Points)
4^th - Stonehill College (32 Points)
5^th - University of Rhode Island (28 points)

Individual Results
Team classes
Kylie Hwalek - 4^th Open Fences
Reagan Waggoner - 1^st Intermediate Fences
Kayla DeStephanis - 3^rd Limit Fences
Carina Muratore - 1^st Open Flat
Erin Phillips - 1^st Intermediate Flat
Isabella Ruisi - 2^nd Limit Flat
Ava Flannery - 1^st Novice Flat
Kelly Mecatl - 4^th Introductory Flat

Individual classes
Lauren Radi - 7^th Open Fences, 7^th Open Flat
Paige Sutton - 9^th Limit Flat
Ciara O'Sullivan - 5^th Novice Flat