Dressage Team Travel

The St. Andrews Dressage Team traveled to Averett University this weekend for 2 days of showing. This year in addition to the team competition our IDA region is running a dressage seat equitation (DSE) competition with a Regional Championship planned for the last show of the season to be hosted by St. Andrews on March 21, 2015. In Dressage Seat Equitation the riders show together in a group in the dressage ring. As in all equitation classes DSE is judged on the rider’s position and effectiveness. “This is wonderful addition to IDA competition,” said Coach Jackie Dwelle. “Ginger Henderson who coaches for Averett and I are developing this competition with the hope that we will have divisions of DSE at Nationals in a couple of years. NCSU Coach Jan Jacobson who is also an “R” judge said that regular dressage competitions are adopting more DSE classes so we are staying abreast of changes within our sport.” At the conclusion of the class the judge speaks to each rider individually telling them what they need to work on to improve their position which in turn will improve the quality of their ride."

The DSE story for Saturday was Sarah Hartley’s first place in the Intro Level class. This was Sarah’s first show ever! A large number of family members were present to make this victory even more special.

Saturday’s team competition demonstrated the quality of dressage in our IDA region. Our riders rode well but were bettered by teams from Averett, NCSU and Longwood. Saturday evening was spent strategizing and watching videos of the rides. Sunday the mental preparation showed with improved placings. Claire Pollard came up with what has become our Regional motto as it is a sentiment shared by all of the coaches in the region. “We are not here to lose, we either win or we learn.” This sums up very well the lessons that intercollegiate competition offers. 

RESULTS - SATURDAY

Team A 5th

First Level Test 2

4^th Bridget Newman60.811%

Training Level Test 3

4^th Megan Pustarfi 61.2%

5^th Claire Pollard 60.4%

Training Level Test 1

3^rd Geneva Masak 64.375%

Introductory Level Test B

2^nd Victoria Smith64.375%

5^th Sarah Lishen 58.438%

Dressage Seat Equitation

Training Level A

4^th Courtney Anderson

Training Level B

2^nd Natasha Worker

4^th McCall DiMarco

Introductory Level

1^st Sarah Hartley

2^nd Nina Jurac

SUNDAY

Team  A 3^rd

Team B 4^th

First Level Test 2

4^th Bridget Newman 67.027%

5^th Alex Varisco  64.495%

Training Level Test 3

2^nd  Claire Pollard 69.4%

4^th McCall DiMarco 67.0%

Training Level Test 1

3^rd Geneva Masak 69.4%

6^th Elizabethe Weeks 67.0%

Introductory Level Test B

2^nd  Sarah Lishen 64.063%

5^th Victoria Smith 62.5%

Dressage Seat Equitation

Training Level A

4^th Courtney Anderson

Training Level B

4th Natasha Worker

Introductory Level A

2^nd Nina Jurac

Introductory Level B

3rd Sarah Hartley

Introductory Level C

1^st Sarah Lishen

NCSU RESULTS OCT. 18^th

Team A 3^rd 11 points

Team B 6th 10 points

First Level Test 1

4^th Bridget Newman 66.034%

Training Level Test 2

1^st Claire Pollard 76.429% High Point Rider

6^th McCall DiMarco 71.786%

Training Level Test 1

6^th Geneva Masak 61.667%

Introductory Level Test B

1^st Victoria Smith 70.625%

4^th Sarah Lishen 64.063%