LEXINGTON, Va. --- The Virginia Horse Center has become a friendly confines for the
University of Lynchburg as the Hornets' claimed their third straight piece of conference hardware at the Lexington-based facility on the to their fifth consecutive ODAC Traditional Equestrian Championship on Friday morning.
Lynchburg has earned each of the past eight league titles in equestrian, combining its five traditional crowns with the first three single-discipline championships in conference history.
This year's traditional trophy nearly left the L.M. "Sandy" Gerald Arena in different hands following the first two classes of competition. Both
Bridgewater College and
Washington and Lee University earned 11 points from the first two sessions, one marker ahead of Lynchburg. The Eagles won the first Equitation Over Fences set with a 235.0 score to collect seven points and combined that with four points from finishing third in the second Fences class with 232.5 tallies. The Generals placed fourth in the opening stage, securing three points with a 210.5 score. WLU rebounded with a 253.0 score in round two to win the session and secure seven points.
Lynchburg placed second in both fences classes, earning five points each with 215.0 and 249.75 scores, respectively. The Hornets' erased their one-point deficit On the Flat, winning the final class of three with a 172.5 score. Bridgewater placed second at 176.5 for five points and a final total of 16. Washington and Lee finished third on the Flat at 156.5 to close the event with 14 markers.
Sweet Briar College placed fourth in all three classes -- 203.5 in Fences No. 1, 212.25 in Fences No. 2, 162.0 on the Flat -- to finish with 10 points.
University of Lynchburg first-year
Kate Zoidis was the high-point rider for the event, awarding her both ODAC Rider of the Year and ODAC Rookie of the Year laurels. She posted averages of 84.0 and 83.5 from two judges over the first two fences classes, which forms the basis for All-ODAC consideration. The top-eight placements earn all-conference recognition.
The Hornets' mentor
Phillip Williamson was tabbed ODAC Coach of the Year, while
Rebecca Collier received ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year distinction from the conference's athletic communications personnel.
Below is a full list of the All-ODAC Awards as well as the final team standings.
- 17 pts. -- Lynchburg
- 16 pts. -- Bridgewater
- 14 pts. -- Washington and Lee
- 10 pts. -- Sweet Briar
All-ODAC Riders
- 83.750 -- Kate Zoidis, LYN
- 80.500 -- Margaret Brown, BC
- 80.250 -- Ella Hudson, WLU
- 79.250 -- Madeleine Granger, BC
- 78.375 -- Josie Flannery, SBC
- 77.500 -- Ryon Sinclair, WLU
- 76.500 -- Amaya Bellfield, LYN
- 74.000 -- Kaycie Miranda, WLU