Pioneers Earn Multiple Top Finishes at Tournament of Champions

Saturday, December 6

Long Valley, NJ

TBD

Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics

Tournament of Champions

Pioneers Earn Multiple Top Finishes at Tournament of Champions

12/8/2025 9:42:00 AM | Equestrian

SHU highlights include two blue ribbons and strong showings across all divisions

By: Samantha Carey

LONG VALLEY, N.J. — The Sacred Heart University equestrian team closed out its fall campaign with a strong showing at the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Centenary University, on Saturday. The Pioneers earned 27 points, tying for fourth with Saint Lawrence University, and ultimately secured fifth place after the tiebreaker in a deep 16-team field.

Of Note:

SHU posted several strong individual finishes, highlighted by blue-ribbon rides from Olivia Dolan in Novice B and Kayla DeStephanis in Intermediate Fences.
Isabella Ruisi added a runner-up finish in Intermediate Flat, while Olivia Herfert and Sophia Poling each earned fourth-place results in Limit Flat and Limit Fences, respectively.
Eleese Shillingford (6th, Open Fences), Lindsay Chudy (5th, Introductory), and Erin Phillips (8th, Open Flat) also delivered solid performances for the Pioneers.
The meet marked Chudy's first collegiate appearance with SHU.

Individual Results:
Open Fences:
Eleese Shillingford – 6^th Place

Introductory
Lindsay Chudy – 5^th Place

Novice B
Olivia Dolan – 1^st Place

Limit Flat
Olivia Herfert – 4^th Place

Limit Fences
Sophia Poling – 4^th Place

Intermediate Flat
Isabella Ruisi – 2^nd Place

Intermediate Fences
Kayla DeStephanis – 1^st Place

Open Flat
Erin Phillips – 8^th Place