Members of Stone Bridge Farm’s riding team competed against 18 other teams from around the country at last week’s National Championships of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association in Washington DC. At the end of four days of competition at the Prince George Equestrian Center, the Stone Bridge riders finished the year as National Reserve Champion.
The Stone Bridge team includes Carly Williams and Olivia Flemming, of Lexington; Andrew Kalasky, of Fairfield; and Mackenzie Parks and Abbey Wegert, both of Lynchburg. In addition, five riders qualified for National Finals, riding in individual competition: Elizabeth Bailey and Emily Perkins, of Roanoke; Rachel Paxton, of Lexington; Sarah Rodes, of Bedford; and Ashley Woodward, of Daleville.
Nearly 300 teams throughout the United States competed in regional shows throughout the 2010-2011 school year for one of only 18 of the coveted spots at IEA National Finals. The Stone Bridge Team has qualified for National Finals for the last three years, winning seventh place in 2010.
The Stone Bridge Team is coached by Becky Andrews and Carolyn Willliams. Ms. Andrews, a nationally recognized trainer and horsewoman, began training at Stone Bridge Farm after moving to the area in August 2010. Previously, she has trained riders and horses to many national titles in the hunters and jumpers, including two junior Olympic teams and a winner of the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Equitation Championship.
Elizabeth Perkins, whose daughter Emily has been riding on the team for two years, says, “We’re so lucky to have Becky in the this region now as a resource for our kids. She has a wealth of experience, and really inspires our riders to excellence. She helps them set and pursue their goals, and has the ability to help them achieve those goals.”
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is the national governing body of team equestrian competition at the secondary school level. The IEA competition format is unique, in that riders do not show their own horses, but rather compete on horses that they have never ridden before, with only a few minutes warm up before entering the ring. The IEA show season runs from September to May. Riders interested in joining the team for the 2011-2012 season should contact Stone Bridge Farm.
