The University of Lynchburg’s IHSA equestrian team recently hit the road to compete at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Tournament of Champions. The event took place on January 31 and featured two teams from Lynchburg: Team Black and Team Red.
Team Black ended the day with a score of 33, securing fourth place overall. Team Red followed closely with a score of 22, finishing in tenth. Both teams showcased their talent in a variety of classes, including open, intermediate, limit, and novice divisions.
In the Open Fences A class, Amaya Bellfield from Team Black claimed second place, while Zoey Horn from Team Red secured fourth in Open Fences B. Bellfield continued to shine with a third-place finish in Open Flat A. Team Red’s McKenzie Burch also performed well, earning fourth in Open Flat B.
Intermediate divisions brought more strong performances. Burch placed second in Intermediate Fences A, and Ava Jackson from Team Black followed with fourth in Intermediate Fences B. In the Intermediate Flat A class, Jessica McElhaney earned second, while Ava Hogan from Team Red finished fifth in Intermediate Flat B.
The limit classes added even further to Lynchburg’s score. Kriston Parr from Team Red placed fourth in Limit Fences A, and Ashby Watts from Team Black took second in Limit Fences B. In Limit Flat A, Clair Humphreys finished third for Team Red. Novice classes also saw impressive results: Ashlyn Barksdale from Team Red placed fifth in Novice A, while Annabella Shores from Team Black ended up third in Novice B.
Additionally, in the High Medal class, Burch secured fourth, with McElhaney close behind in eighth. The combined efforts of both teams highlighted the depth and skill within Lynchburg’s equestrian program.
After this event, the Lynchburg IHSA team will prepare for their next competition at Hollins from February 14 to 15. Fans can follow all the latest news and updates on Lynchburg athletics at LynchburgSports.com.
This tournament is just one of many opportunities for riders to showcase their talents and improve their skills. According to a recent survey by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, equestrian sports are growing in popularity across the United States, with more riders than ever before. Engaging in these competitions not only builds individual skills but also strengthens team dynamics and community ties within the sport.
For more details on the growth of equestrian sports, you can check out resources from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
