TRYON, N.C. - The Delaware Valley University Hunt Seat Equestrian Team has returned from the IHSA National Horse Show in Tryon, North Carolina, with exciting news: the Aggies are now nationally ranked after finishing seventh overall out of the top 16 teams from across the country.

The competition began with two individual events featuring senior Brooke Wolfinger in Individual Intermediate on the Flat and junior Grace Allen in Individual Limit on the Flat. Both riders drew Tre, a horse donated by Sweet Briar College. After highly competitive flat classes, Allen was named Reserve National Champion in her division.

Later that day, team competition kicked off with freshman Maggie Mitchell representing DelVal in Team Limit on the Flat. Mitchell rode Rou, donated by Morrisville State College, and placed seventh, earning the team its first points of the competition.

Saturday brought a full schedule, including team events and the prestigious Cacchione Cup, where senior Evan Holt competed as the team's High Point Rider. Competing against top riders from across the country, Holt rode Avatar, donated by Miami University of Ohio, in the over fences phase. Despite a challenging round, he earned a score of 75.5, placing him mid-pack among 24 elite riders. In the flat phase, Holt returned on Francoe, donated by Skidmore College, and scored 80. He ultimately finished 13th overall in the nation's most competitive individual collegiate riding class.

Sophomore Rhiannon Swimelar and senior Kerrin Long represented DelVal in Team Limit Fences and Team Intermediate Fences, respectively. Though they did not place, both riders delivered strong performances on horses donated by Savannah College of Art and Design.

The team began gaining momentum with strong performances in the Team Introductory and Team Novice classes. Freshmen Madison Heitman and Elsa Heacock advanced through several rounds of cuts to finish sixth and fourth, respectively, earning critical points for the Aggies.

Sunday featured the final three team classes. Evan Holt returned for Team Open Fences and once again drew Avatar. After reviewing feedback from Saturday, he made a plan with his coaches and executed a much stronger round, earning a score of 80 and an eighth-place finish. In Team Open Flat, Holt rode Grant, donated by Morrisville State College, in a challenging no-stirrups class. He remained in contention throughout and earned another eighth-place ribbon.

Reflecting on his rides, Holt shared, "I had great draws this weekend. Riding Avatar on Saturday helped prepare me for Sunday. I was nervous, but having an idea of what to expect gave me confidence. My flat horse, Grant, was fantastic. He did everything I asked in a tough class."

Grace Allen returned to the ring in Team Intermediate Flat and also rode Grant. Like Holt, she competed without stirrups and remained on the rail until the very end, signaling a top finish. Allen was again named Reserve National Champion—her second such title of the week.

"I think my coaches prepared me amazingly, both in and out of the ring," Allen said. "The horses were incredible, and I felt ready for anything the judges asked. I can't wait to do it again next year."

With all points tallied, Delaware Valley University finished seventh overall in the team competition. Purdue University claimed the national championship title for the first time in program history, followed by Sacred Heart University.

Coaches Emily Miller '07 and Ciara Tjong '13 shared their pride in the team's performance: "We could not be happier with the results. This is a younger team with less postseason experience, but they've worked so hard all year. Their fifth-place finish at the Winter Tournament helped them believe they could compete at this level. This group supports each other in and out of the ring, and they brought incredible energy to Nationals."

Director of Equestrian Sports, Cory Kieschnick, added, "This was a major accomplishment for a young team. DelVal remains the only college in the country with three nationally ranked equestrian teams, and I'm extremely proud of our riders and coaches for all they've achieved."