DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - The Delaware Valley Hunt Seat Equestrian Team wrapped up its regular fall season with back-to-back team victories, earning wins at both the University of Scranton and Kutztown University. Senior Grace Allen highlighted the weekend by taking High Point Rider honors at Scranton and extending her lead atop the Open rider standings. With a 32-point cushion and just two spring shows remaining, Allen is positioned to clinch the Open division title and secure a direct berth to Zones, where she'll compete for a spot at Nationals.
Allen dominated at Scranton with wins in Open Flat and Open Fences, and added a fourth in fences and a fifth on the flat at Kutztown. Senior Captain Taylor Pruitt qualified for Regionals in Intermediate Fences after earning a fourth at Scranton.
The Aggies were strong across the Limit Fences division as well. Paige Gatz earned a second at Scranton and third at Kutztown, qualifying for Regionals in her second class. Maggie Mitchell matched that effort with a second and fourth, also securing her Regional berth. Rhiannon Swimelar and Makenna Hummel each placed third at Scranton, while Alaina Guerrisi added a fifth and Alicia Smoot placed second at Kutztown.
Pruitt also debuted in Open Flat at Scranton with a fifth-place ride. In Intermediate Flat, Gatz won at Scranton and took second at Kutztown. Captain Sophia Frisbie earned a fifth and second across the two shows. Mitchell earned fifth and second in Limit Flat, and freshman Tiara D'Amico placed third at Scranton. Swimelar swept the class with wins at both shows, qualifying for Regionals. Hummel and Emma Conway were second and fifth at Scranton, and Samantha Wills placed fourth at both events.
In Novice, Alexandra Adams, Chloe DiMaio, and Phoebe Bunyan all earned wins, while Micayle Timmons and Maggie Gardner finished second and third. Casey Robertshaw earned a fourth, Samantha Shwartz a fifth, and Gianna Spinelli earned fifth in Pre-Novice. In Intro, Samuel Gant and Keira Larkin each brought home wins at Scranton and Kutztown.
With the fall season complete, the following Aggies have qualified for Regionals:
Nevaeh Anderson (Novice), Emma Conway (Novice), Alicia Smoot (Novice), Sophia Frisbie (Limit Flat & Fences), Paige Gatz (Limit Flat & Fences), Kailei Makhija (Limit Fences), Maggie Mitchell (Limit Fences), Rhiannon Swimelar (Limit Flat), Taylor Pruitt (Intermediate Flat & Fences), and Grace Allen (Open Flat & Fences).
Several more riders will look to earn their Regional spots during the spring season.
DelVal closes its semester at the Holiday Tournament of Champions on December 6 at Centenary University. Representing the Aggies will be:
Kiera Larkin (Intro), Elsa Heacock (Novice), Amelia Parsons (Limit Flat & Low Medal), Alicia Smoot (Limit Fences), Maggie Mitchell (Intermediate Flat), Tiara D'Amico (Intermediate Fences), and Grace Allen (Open Flat, Open Fences & High Medal).
