SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Delaware Valley Hunt Seat Equestrian team traveled to Savannah this past weekend to compete at the Winter Tournament of Champions Invitational, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design. Thirteen top schools from around the country were invited to compete for having programs that are nationally ranked or historically lead their regions. The Aggies finished the day with an impressive fifth-place finish and placings in every team class.
Senior Evan Holt started the day off in strong fashion, earning a third-place finish in Open Fences and a second-place finish in Open Flat. Holt was also DelVal's entry in the High Medal Competition. Three sections of riders competed on the flat, and the judge later called the top 8 riders back to compete in the fences portion. Holt made the callback to compete over fences, and at the end of the horse show, was awarded sixth place for his efforts.
The day continued with the Aggies' Intermediate riders. Both senior Kerrin Long and junior Grace Allen earned fourth place in Intermediate Fences and Intermediate Flat, respectively.
Sophomore Rhiannon Swimelar led our Limit riders with a fourth-place finish over fences, while freshman Maggie Mitchell placed fifth in Limit on the flat. Mitchell was also DelVal's entry in the Low Medal class, riding in the first flat phase.
Freshman Madison Heitman competed next in Intro and earned a fifth-place finish. Freshman Elsa Heacock closed out the day with a win in Novice!
As the host facility and reigning National Champions, SCAD showed two full teams at this tournament, tying to win with 50 points each. Purdue University took home third place, and the National Reserve Champions, Sacred Heart University, earned fourth place. DelVal took home fifth, followed by the University of Lynchburg in sixth place, Hollins University in seventh, and Penn State in eighth. Other teams to compete were the University of Midway, University of Vermont, Mount Holyoke College, Skidmore College, and the University of Delaware.
The entire Aggies team begins spring semester practices next week, and competition begins again on March 2nd at a regionally hosted show at Brookside Show Stables.
