I Ride and I Write; It's Not That Confusing: Small but Mighty

The University of Louisville's Saddle Seat team may have had a small team this year, but they didn't let that affect them at the Intercollegiate Saddle Seat Riding Association championships. The team not only put hours into practicing equitation and drilling patterns, but spent a great deal of time planning for the show to host it. On April 4th, UofL's team packed up everything and headed to the Kentucky Horse Park. They brought home more than just horses and equipment though. A sense of pride came back with them as well.

Graduating riders, Kristen Smith and Jenny McGowan (a medical school student), finished first and second respectively in the open rail class to kick off the show and Christine Oser placed second in open limit rail. These three later showed in the open/open limit pattern class where Christine placed first, Kristen third, and Jenny fourth. Riders Tori Gray and Emily Robinson competed in the novice rail and novice pattern classes. Tori won both classes, making her senior high point rider of the show. Emily finished a strong third and second in the same classes. Alex Sowell, showing in the advanced rail and pattern classes, finished first and third. To top things off, their coach, Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer, won the coaches class with ease.

After points were calculated, UofL's team picked up several year-end awards. To add to her senior high point win of the day, Tori also won reserve senior rider of the year and reserve novice rider of the year. Jenny was the open/open limit high point rider of the year and Christine was right behind her in reserve. Alex finished as high point rider for the advance division. UofL's team also showed well enough to be the reserve high point team of the show, despite only having six riders.

UofL’s team improved greatly throughout the year. Every rider finished with at least one second or first at the championship show. The team may have been small, but they certainly were mighty. Not only did they have strong rides, but they had a strong team spirit. It will be hard to replicate another team as special as this one.