Vermont Tech riders start off season at UVM

On October 7th the Vermont Tech dressage team traveled to The University of Vermont for their first IDA show of the season. Returning riders Olivia Kaplan, China Eastmond and Laurissa Johnson were joined by new members Anica Pond, Alysia Camley and Elsie Sikora. Overall the team did well, riding strongly and confidently. Captain Olivia Kaplan placed 5th out of in 9 at Upper Training with a 61.3% in Training Test 1. Sophomore Elsie Sikora placed 3rd out of 9 in Lower Training with a 66.25% in her first-ever dressage test. Team members Alysia Camley, China Eastmond and Laurissa Johnson showed their personal bests and just missed making it into the ribbons. Vermont Tech placed 5th in the overall standings.

The team then traveled down to Storrs, Connecticut 10/14 to compete at UCONN. All members of the dressage team were able to compete, but fortune favored the equitation riders over the test riders this weekend;  newcomer Alysia Camley placed 3rd in her Introductory level test with a 64.686% and took 5th place in dressage seat  (only her 2nd attempt ever!) . Laurissa Johnson and Anica Pond placed 6th and 4th, respectively, in Lower Training equitation. The judge noted that the class of 7 riders was very closely matched, with very subtle differences in ability.

The Knights head to a 2-day show at UMASS Amherst next on October 21/22.