2009 ANRC National Collegiate Championship
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) riders bested seven other college to win the team championships at the 2009 ANRC National Intercollegiate Championships hosted by St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC. The competition took place at the St. Andrews Equestrian Center on April 18 and 19. This beautiful facility is comprised of multiple barns, two covered arenas, several warmup rings, and extensive green fields. Sunny, cool weather and good footing provided ideal conditions for horses, riders, and spectators. The individual champion was Kelse Bonham from SCAD. Thirty-six horses and riders competed in this four-phase hunter seat equitation competition. Ten colleges were represented – eight fielded teams of two or three riders vying for the Betty Belser Memorial Trophy and the team championship. Colleges with teams were: Centenary College (NJ); Duke University (NC); Goucher College (MD); Otterbein College (OH); Savannah College of Art and Design (GA); St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College (NC); Sweet Briar College (VA); and University of the South (Sewanee) (TN). Two riders competed as individuals – Anna Jaffee from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Allie Kirschner of the College of William and Mary (VA). The judges for the riding phases of the competition were Dacia Johnson of Monticello, FL, and Paddy Downing-Nygard, Thonotosassa, FL.
The first phase, the Written Test, followed two days of schooling which allowed horses and riders to practice all the courses. The Written Test was won by St. Andrews’ Caroline Taylor with a score of 98.1. Goucher College won the team competition for this phase. The Written Test included questions on Forward Riding Theory and this year’s stable management topic: Conformation, Movement, and Soundness.
The second phase, Dressage Sportif, began early on Saturday morning. With a smooth and precise ride, Centenary rider Lindsay Mohr bested SCAD’s Kelse Bonham. The test incorporated flat work, a trot jump and a canter jump – all to be ridden on soft contact with soft and precise transitions. Movements included lengthening at the walk, trot and canter, counter canter, serpentines, backing, and a turn on the haunches. Centenary College took the team honors in this phase, followed by SCAD and St. Andrews.
The Hunter Trials Phase was held in a large field giving riders the opportunity to show their horses’ flowing stride between fences. The natural obstacles included a bank, stone wall, aiken, and a choice of two panels in an option fence. SCAD made a clean sweep of the individual top honors: Kelse Bonham won with a score of 93.5, followed by Meredith Gallagher with 93 points and Chelsea McCarthy with a 92.5. SCAD had the top team in this phase, with Centenary College second and Sweet Briar College third.
The final riding phase, Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences, was held following a brunch for riders and coaches during which awards were presented for the first three phases. Prior to the start of the class, Peggy McElveen, show manager and Director of the St. Andrews Equestrian Center, dedicated the 2009 Nationals competition to the memory of Jon Conyers, former ANRC Intercollegiate Chair, teacher, coach, judge, and show manager, who influenced many equestrians and their horses during his 26 year career. Course designer R. Scot Evans of Annapolis, MD, set a challenging course in St.Andrews’ sizeable covered ring. Riders aimed for a even and accurate ride over angled jumps, oxers, combinations, and one narrow fence. Kelse Bonham scored a 93 to win this phase and secure the overall individual championship. Lindsay Mohr placed second in this phase with a 92 and finished second overall. Kelly MacDonald of Sweet Briar College scored 90 to place third in this phase. SCAD won the team competition in the Hunt Seat phase just ahead of second-placed Sweet Briar College.
SCAD won the Betty Belser Memorial Trophy and custom coolers along with their team championship ribbons. Centenary College was second in the team competition followed by Sweet Briar College; St. Andrews; Goucher College; Sewanee; Otterbein College; and Duke University. Each competitor received an “Excellence in Equitation” pin from the USHJA. Peggy McElveen was presented with an engraved plate as the recipient of the USHJA Affiliate ANRC Professional Service Award for 2009. This award is given annually to the individual who has contrigbuted significantly to the ANRC organization and has personified the Forward Riding System in their professional area. Jennifer Elrod of Centenary College was selected for the USHJA Affiliate 2009 ANRC Collegiate Amateur Rider Award as best representing the spirit of intercollegiate competition, outstanding horsemanship, and sportsmanship throughout the competition. The ANRC Sportsmanship award went to Liz Harris of St. Andrews who cheerfully and competently manned the starting gate for all phases of the competition. This award goes to a rider, coach, or volunteer associated with Nationals who exemplifies sportsmanship, a willingness to help others, and a desire to help make the competition a success. Prior to this year’s awards, St. Andrews’ long-time competitor Jean Claude was retired in a touching ceremony celebrating his ten years of carrying St. Andrews riders to top placings at ANRC Nationals.
TEAM SCORES
|
SCHOOL |
WRITTEN PHASE |
DRESSAGE SPORTIF (40%) |
HUNTER TRIALS (30%) |
HUNTER SEAT (30%) |
TOTAL SCORE |
|
|
SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN |
186.000 |
71.660 |
55.950 |
54.300 |
181.910 |
|
|
CENTENARY COLLEGE |
180.000 |
72.660 |
52.650 |
50.700 |
176.010 |
|
|
SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE |
188.100 |
68.120 |
51.225 |
52.500 |
171.845 |
|
|
ST. ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE |
182.100 |
68.216 |
46.950 |
44.925 |
160.091 |
|
|
GOUCHER COLLEGE |
193.000 |
64.088 |
47.475 |
47.100 |
158.663 |
|
|
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH |
177.000 |
58.348 |
45.150 |
37.800 |
141.298 |
|
|
OTTERBEIN COLLEGE |
130.000 |
50.144 |
42.900 |
36.900 |
129.944 |
|
|
DUKE UNIVERSITY |
108.000 |
43.668 |
10.050 |
39.900 |
93.618 |
|
INDIVIDUAL SCORES (Top Twelve)
|
SCHOOL |
RIDER # |
RIDERS |
WRITTEN SCORE |
DRESSAGE SPORTIF |
(40%) |
Hunter Trial |
(30%) |
Hunter Seat |
(30%) |
TOTAL SCORE |
|
SCAD |
83 |
Kelse Bonham * |
92.000 |
225.93 |
36.148 |
93.50 |
28.050 |
93.00 |
27.900 |
92.098 |
|
Centenary |
62 |
Lindsey Mohr * |
88.000 |
229.93 |
36.788 |
92.00 |
27.600 |
92.00 |
27.600 |
91.988 |
|
SCAD |
82 |
Meredith Gallagher * |
94.000 |
221.95 |
35.512 |
93.00 |
27.900 |
80.00 |
24.000 |
87.412 |
|
Centenary |
59 |
Marissa Cohen |
84.000 |
207.65 |
33.224 |
89.00 |
26.700 |
89.00 |
26.700 |
86.624 |
|
SCAD |
79 |
Chelsea McCarthy * |
80.000 |
201.60 |
32.256 |
92.50 |
27.750 |
88.00 |
26.400 |
86.406 |
|
Sweet Briar |
88 |
Alison Sims * |
94.100 |
212.25 |
33.960 |
88.25 |
26.475 |
85.00 |
25.500 |
85.935 |
|
Sweet Briar |
87 |
Kelly MacDonald * |
76.000 |
213.50 |
34.160 |
82.50 |
24.750 |
90.00 |
27.000 |
85.910 |
|
SAPC |
77 |
Kelsi Peterson * |
95.100 |
212.73 |
34.436 |
84.00 |
25.500 |
84.00 |
25.500 |
85.436 |
|
Sweet Briar |
85 |
Sarah Fishback |
98.000 |
217.83 |
35.252 |
82.50 |
25.050 |
82.00 |
24.900 |
85.202 |
|
Centenary |
61 |
Jennifer Elrod * |
89.000 |
224.20 |
35.872 |
83.50 |
25.050 |
77.00 |
23.100 |
84.022 |
|
SCAD |
78 |
Paul Frederick |
93.000 |
217.33 |
34.772 |
77.50 |
23.250 |
75.00 |
22.500 |
80.522 |
|
Goucher |
55 |
Julie Fink * |
96.000 |
186.95 |
30.312 |
81.75 |
24.825 |
78.00 |
23.700 |
78.837 |