New Paltz Hawks Collect First NCEA Win

By Monica D’Ippolito

LYNCHBURG, VA – The State University of New York at New Paltz equestrian team earned the programs first victory in National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) action Friday after defeating hosting Lynchburg, 6-1.

The Hawks entered the weekend with one NCEA show under their belt and had the task of competing against both the Hornets and the Vixens of Sweet Briar College at Harriet Rogers Riding Center Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, respectively.

Against Lynchburg, SUNY New Paltz won three points in flat. Elizabeth Jacoby, riding Bella beat Dani Herberg, 77-71. Brynley Smith, riding Indigo earned a 70-68 victory over Saylor Hardin and Madeline Berg, riding Reggie defeated Lori Ohannessian, 81-76. Camryn Duginski and Tyalor Herzog, riding Jackson each scored 74 points in the head-to-head, so neither rider took a point for their respective teams.

The Hawks continued to roll in fences. After Taylor Herzog won the first point for the Hornets, Katie Knudson-Brantmeyer (77-75), riding Divo, Berg (81-72), riding Teddy, and Smith (82-77) riding Ray, each earned points to guide their team to victory. The Hawks ultimately scored 602 total points to Lynchburg’s 592.

In the second day of competition against the Vixens, SUNY New Paltz once again out-scored its opposition (714-711) after an impressive outing in fences, but fell in head-to-head and succumbed to its second loss of the season, 7-3.

The Hawks were swept in flat with Sweet Briar scoring an impressive 413 points — all registering in the 80’s to earn a five-point lead heading into fences. Riding Dimitri, Smith started fences with an 80-77 victory over Magie Fraley. Duginski, riding Aate won her matchup against Britt Larson-Jackson after she fell off her horse. Berg then scored the final point for SUNY New Paltz, defeating Katie Balding, 82-75, riding Dorado.

The Hawks are back in action Oct. 12 when their IHSA team competes in their first home show of the season at Meadow Creek Farm.