This past weekend, the equestrian team attended shows hosted by Rutgers and Bloomsburg, where they placed first and third, respectively.
“We all work super hard in our practice leading up to the show and make sure to take care of ourselves. We have early morning wake-up calls so getting lots of rest is a necessity,” sophomore Zoe Meyer wrote in an email. “We also usually have team bonding events which really help everyone be there and support each other.”
Meyer stood out in open fences this weekend and was named High Point Rider.
“It was so amazing! I have been working towards this goal for a while now, it is incredible to have met it and be rewarded for that,” Meyer wrote.
This weekend’s double-header was freshman Angela Tsai’s first college show. The equestrian team played a huge role in why Tsai decided to commit to Lafayette. She explained that after meeting the coach and some upperclassmen during her visit, she was impressed by the friendly, casual and supportive nature of the team.
“On Saturday when I was actually showing and I was really nervous, people were comforting me. I actually felt a sense of community,” Tsai said. “After this doubleheader, I am really glad that I’m on the team. This is getting to what I was expecting so I’m really happy about it.”
Additionally, seniors Maggie Sigmond-Warner and Heather Aikman showed over fences for the first time. Meyer gave a shout-out to sophomore Kristina Torkelsen, who she said also rode amazing this weekend as she won her class.
“Shows are stressful and tiring but they are also very fun because of the group enthusiasm,” Meyer wrote. “I think something that we did well and are always great at is being there for each other. We all show up at 5am with spirit and ready to support our teammates and friends.”
Looking into the future, Tsai said that the team has been added to the Festival of Champions, which could include traveling with the team for an overnight trip. This tournament showcases the top athletes and horses in 16 divisions.
The team’s next show is this Sunday and will be hosted by Alvernia University.
“I think my favorite thing about this team is how we can all support each other through our individual love for horses and the sport,” Meyer wrote. “We all joined the team because we are passionate about the animals and love horseback riding and our bond over this makes us great friends and teammates.”
