Ferrum Riders Back in the Saddle

By Mary Stoudt

Ferrum College’s equestrian team is back in the saddle this semester. After a long time of virtual competitions, Ferrum riders travelled to Bridgewater College on Mar. 13 for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association event.

(Senior Lidsey Koogler during the scrimmage at Bridgewater College. Photo courtesy of Ferrum College Equestrian.)

Though not an official IHSA event due to the COVID-19, this show still followed the IHSA format and provided senior riders an opportunity to compete in person before graduating. Other team members were also excited to compete in a collegiate setting. 

“After a full year of not competing, this was a much welcomed horse show for us. We are looking forward to two more invitational events this spring. As a coach I'm happy for our seniors to have this time with their team before they graduate,” said Head Coach Margaret Cornwell during the Ferrum Athletics’ “Behind the Whistle” segment. 

At this IHSA event, junior Hattie Rieck placed second in Introductory Equitation on the Flat, which also made her the top placer of the day. Senior Emma Williams placed fifth in Novic Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat. Sophomore Grace Howell placed fifth and senior Lindsey Koogler placed sixth in Limit Hunt Seat Equitation.

“It was great to go back to a show a year after COVID hit, and I was proud of the team for doing well after working so hard since we came back in the fall,” Howell said. 

            Prior to this semester, the equestrian team competed in virtual Athletic Equestrian League shows. In the fall of 2020, the team also won the Reserve Champion Team award twice. 

The Panthers will compete again on Mar. 20 at Washington and Lee University and Mar. 28 at Virginia Tech University.