Western Riders Secure Place in Nationals

by Emma Childs 

This weekend determined that the Berry College equestrian team's success is surely not limited to the Southeast. The Western riders of the Lady Vikings traveled to Canyon, Texas to earn a trip to Nationals, and went into Sunday's show in a four-way tie for second place with several remaining team classes and the individual qualifier finals.

Allie Jones opened the morning with her performance in Team Reining and placed fifth out of eight. Kristen Atwell followed with a ride in the Team Advanced Horsemanship class and placed third.

Rebecca Cochran rode in the Individual Intermediate Horsemanship finals class and placed sixth.

Atwell showed for her second class in the Individual Novice Finals class and earned a blue with her win. Lynn Cherry showed in the Team Beginner Horsemanship division and placed second.

Jones' second appearance of the day was in the Individual Open Horsemanship Finals where she placed fourth.

Ariel Robelen showed in the Individual Beginner Horsemanship Finals and earned a second place red ribbon.

The last class of the day was Team Open Horsemanship and Allie Jones placed second to help secure the Western team a place at Nationals in May in Lexington, Ky.

Berry ended the weekend with a total of 23 points to become the Reserve High Point Team Champions by placing second out of eight other teams.
 
The hunt seat riders of the English team will travel to Sewanee, Tenn., this coming weekend for their Zone competition.

- BerryVikings.com -