JEFFERSON, Md. - As a finale to a successful intercollegiate show season, Hood College riders competed at the 40^th Year Anniversary North Fork Invitational Equitrial at the North Fork School of Equitation.  

Similar to the ANRC rating system, the Equitrial is unique for judging hunter seat equitation in a three-phase format. The first phase was a program ride that consisted of memorizing 14 movements that they had to perform on the horse at a certain letter in the ring and they were judged on the overall appearance of the horse and their capability to control the horse and the precision of the movements.

The second phase consisted of a jump course of 7 jumps in the ring that showed off the rider's technical capabilities on the horse by making tight and precise turns.  And finally, the derby phase consisted of 6 natural obstacles in a field that demonstrated the rider's ability to be handy over varied terrain.

Junior Brooke Weadon (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) and First-Year Sarah Wauls (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) ended the day Champion of their respective divisions and First-Year Reagan Ochoa (Rohrersville, Md./Barbara Ingram School for the Arts) was Reserve Champion of her division.

Weadon was first in the program ride with NF's Jameson, third over fences and second in the derby with NF's Oliver.

Wauls was first in the program ride, second over fences and third in the derby with NF's Bailey.

Ochoa was fourth in the program ride, second over fences and first in the derby round with NF's Jameson.

Senior Abigail Burns was third in the program ride, fourth over fences and third in the derby course with NF's Braden.

First-Year Angelina Sotela (Frederick, Md./Frederick) was fifth in the program ride, third over fences and fourth in the derby course with Pretty Big Deal.

Sophomore Delmy Velziroglu was third in the program ride, fifth over fences and second in the derby course with NF's Dori.

And finally, sophomore Emilia Alcala-Torrez (Washington, D.C./Jackson-Reed) was fourth in the program ride and third over fences with NF's Fiona.

This marks the end of the show season for the Hood College Equestrian Team for 2024-2025 season.  The Hood team will start up again in the fall on October 5^th at the American University IHSA show.