BALTIMORE, Md. - The Delaware Valley Hunt Seat Equestrian Team was invited to compete in the Pre-Season Tournament of Champions Show this past weekend at Goucher College.
The Tournament of Champions Series is an invitational series of four shows that bring top teams from across the country together to compete at the National level. We are very proud to report that DelVal was the winner of this event, placing above teams such as Purdue University, the reigning National Champions, and two teams of riders from the Savannah College of Art and Design, the 2024 National Champions.
Senior Grace Allen helped lead the Aggies to victory with a strong showing in both Open Flat and Open Fences, earning a first and second, respectively. Freshman Tiara D'Amico made her college riding debut in Intermediate Fences and earned fourth place, while Sophomore Maggie Mitchell stepped up to Intermediate Flat and was the winner in her section. Sophomore Alicia Smoot was the winner in Limit Fences, and sophomore Elsa Heacock earned a sixth place in Limit Flat. Freshman Amelia Parsons earned a third place in Novice, and Sophomore Madison Heitman finished out the point card with a second in Intro. These results placed the Aggies in a tie for first with Lynchburg University, but after a series of tie breakers, DelVal came out on top as the Pre-Season Champions!
Allen returned individually in the High Medal Competition, as did Senior Captain Taylor Pruitt in the Low Medal. Twelve riders in both medals compete on the flat, and the judge calls back his top six to compete over fences. Allen made the callback in the High Medal and, after a re-ride, was called as the Reserve Champion.
Champions: Delaware Valley University
Reserve Champions: University of Lynchburg
3rd: Savannah College of Art and Design
4th: Savannah College of Art and Design
5th: Purdue University
6th: Mt Holyoke College
7th: Goucher College
8th: Marist University
The Aggies' season opener is Saturday, October 4th, hosted by Lehigh University at Brookside Show Stables in Ringoes, NJ.
