WATERBURY – The Teikyo Post University Equestrian team won the Team Competition at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition hosted by TPU on Saturday March 17. It marked the second consecutive show that the TPU team has won.

The previous week, the Eagles finished in first place at the University of Connecticut IHSA Show. Prior to this season, the Eagles had rarely won an IHSA team competition. The success is a positive indication of the strength and growth of the Equine Management program at the college.

As a result of their strong showing during the season and at the past two competitions, the Eagles have moved into third place in IHSA Zone 1, Region One.

There are ten teams in this Region. The team standings and points are as follows:

                     

  1. Brown University                           294

  2. University of Connecticut                264

  3. Teikyo Post University                   234

  4. Connecticut College                      207

  5. Salve Regina                                205

  6. Johnson & Wales                           201

  7. Roger Williams                              195

  8. Wesleyan University                      159

  9. University of Rhode Island               126

10. Trinity College                             110

“The team has shown gradual improvement over the last two or three seasons,” said Teikyo Post coach Carolyn Reed. “Our wins the past two weekends are an indication that we have arrived as one of the premiere equestrian teams in the Northeast. We have several very talented riders and many of them are underclassmen, but the whole team contributes to our success.”

Heather Johnson, a freshman Equine Management major from Litchfield, qualified for the Regionals by posting first place finishes in the Open Flat, and Novice Fences at both the UConn and TPU shows. At UConn, Johnson was declared the high point (champion) rider. She followed that performance with a reserve high point finish at the TPU show. Several other riders rode to first place finishes in separate riding divisions.

At the TPU show, Tabitha Conway, Danielle Rosa, Amy Shaw, and Lauren Wert had first-place finishes in each of their riding divisions. At UConn, Shaw and Tracy Trovato recorded first-place finishes. At both shows, most of the team scored high points in every class entered to claim the coveted first place finish.

TPU will next travel to the Equestrian Center in Rehoboth, Massachusetts on March 24, for the Johnson and Wales IHSA Show. On March 31, Connecticut College will host the final show of the season. Regionals begin on April 7, followed by Zones a week later.

The season concludes with the National IHSA show on May 7, 2001.