Sports - Skidmore riders finish fall season with win at home

In each of the novice, intermediate, and open divisions, the Thoroughbreds garnered multiple first and second place finishes on way to a dominating victory.

“It was really important to win at home,” said senior captain Jessica Schroff, “Everyone stayed strong and focused throughout the event.”

Beginning with the jumping events, or “over” events, Skidmore scored three first place finishes in the open over fences class with wins by Elizabeth Kilgin, Megan Martin, and Kendle Handtmann.

In the intermediate division, Jordan Calabro and Jessica Feil carried the Thoroughbred’s momentum by finishing in first and second place, respectively, in the same over fences class.

Success for the Thoroughbreds continued well into the flat events, where seven riders finished in the top two positions in their respective division.

In the open flat class, first-year rider Kaitlin Swartwood finished in first place followed by teammates Jennifer Wilkins and Martin in second. The combination of Calabro and Feil again finished in first and second place for the day, this time in the intermediate flat class.

The flat events concluded with wins for both Sarah Gray and Martyna Michalik in the novice division.

Not to be outdone by earlier events in the show, Skidmore took home two final blue ribbons in each of the walk-trot-canter and walk-trot classes, giving the Thoroughbreds a total of 13 total first place and seven second place wins for the event.

“It was exciting to win,” said junior captain Jennifer Wilkins, “Now we head into the second half of the season [in the spring] feeling really good about our chances to go to nationals.”

Wilkins finished last season as champion in the intermediate on the flat class at the 2007 national competition.

Success is nothing new for the Skidmore Riding Program, who competes annually on both regional and national levels within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Skidmore has won 15 of the last 17 regional titles within Zone II, and have taken home five IHSA National Hunt Seat team titles throughout the last decade.

This fall, the Thoroughbreds have continued to be successful within the region finishing the season with a 4-1 record, including three wins and one fourth place finish.

Riding horses at the collegiate level offers unique opportunities to many riders, including being part of a team in an often individual sport, and the chance to ride different horses at each event.

For every intercollegiate competition, the host school selects horses for specific events that all competitors ride.

“It’s all about the riders at this level because you ride the same horses as your opponents, it levels the playing field” said Schroff, a national champion in 2007 in the open over fences class.

Much of the ongoing success for the Skidmore program can be attributed to Head Coach Cindy Ford. At the helm for almost twenty years, Ford has led the team to continual success as well as serving administrative roles within the IHSA.

“Cindy has really made a name for Skidmore and for herself within the field,” said Schroff. “It shows in the caliber of horses we have donated to us, and is a testament to the success of our riding program.”

Being in Saratoga Springs only adds to the experience for Skidmore riders. “It’s amazing being in Saratoga,” said Schroff, “there is a lot of history and a great appreciation for horses.”

With a rich tradition steeped in pride and achievement, the Skidmore Riding Team once again sits poised to return to national competition next May in Los Angeles. The Thoroughbreds currently hold a 37-point lead on rival Cornell University, and will return to action Feb. 17 at Cornell.

You can catch the Riders in action next Feb. 23 when they host another home show at Skidmore’s Van Lennep Stables.