2008 Woodie Awards
Equestrian rides out of UConn show with big win
Kaitlynn Laabs
Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Sports
At the beginning of the season, the equestrian team had Oct. 21 circled on its calendar. That was the date the Bears would travel to the University of Connecticut for a show against their stiffest competition, the Huskies.
Saturday was the culmination of all of Brown's hard work as it defeated arch rival Connecticut on its home turf in the UConn Show. The Bears edged out the Huskies 36-34 at UConn's stables in Storrs, Conn., to hold onto first place in Zone One.
"It feels amazing," said captain Grace Peloquin '07. "It was exactly what we needed. We usually get very psyched out when we compete against UConn because we know they're our biggest competition. And to overcome that to beat them was really great."
Despite the victory, the show got off to a shaky start. Whitney Keefe '08, one of the team's leaders and the high point rider in the team's last show at the University of Rhode Island, failed to place in open flat, her first event.
"Whitney got some tough draws, and her horses were not cooperating," Peloquin said.
Unlike in past experiences at UConn, Brown remained focused and quickly reversed its poor start. Liz Gilberti '10 helped the Bears bounce back from Keefe's rough ride by capturing a blue ribbon in the very next event, the intermediate competition. On the day, Gilberti led the Bears by later pinning another blue ribbon in the intermediate flat.
Jessica Mendelson '07 also contributed seven points to Brown's cause with her first-place finish in the open flat. Tessa Lee '10 and Cameron each placed second in the novice flat, nabbing five points apiece for Brown. Peloquin finished third in the open division, adding another four points to the team's total score.
A number of riders finished fourth in their respective events, each earning three points for the Bears. Cody Auer '09, Amy Cameron '08 and Peloquin each placed fourth in the open flat. Captain Courtney Pope '07.5 also finished fourth in the novice flat.
Saturday was the culmination of all of Brown's hard work as it defeated arch rival Connecticut on its home turf in the UConn Show. The Bears edged out the Huskies 36-34 at UConn's stables in Storrs, Conn., to hold onto first place in Zone One.
"It feels amazing," said captain Grace Peloquin '07. "It was exactly what we needed. We usually get very psyched out when we compete against UConn because we know they're our biggest competition. And to overcome that to beat them was really great."
Despite the victory, the show got off to a shaky start. Whitney Keefe '08, one of the team's leaders and the high point rider in the team's last show at the University of Rhode Island, failed to place in open flat, her first event.
"Whitney got some tough draws, and her horses were not cooperating," Peloquin said.
Unlike in past experiences at UConn, Brown remained focused and quickly reversed its poor start. Liz Gilberti '10 helped the Bears bounce back from Keefe's rough ride by capturing a blue ribbon in the very next event, the intermediate competition. On the day, Gilberti led the Bears by later pinning another blue ribbon in the intermediate flat.
Jessica Mendelson '07 also contributed seven points to Brown's cause with her first-place finish in the open flat. Tessa Lee '10 and Cameron each placed second in the novice flat, nabbing five points apiece for Brown. Peloquin finished third in the open division, adding another four points to the team's total score.
A number of riders finished fourth in their respective events, each earning three points for the Bears. Cody Auer '09, Amy Cameron '08 and Peloquin each placed fourth in the open flat. Captain Courtney Pope '07.5 also finished fourth in the novice flat.