By Elodie Muller ’29

Staff Writer

As the month of November dawned upon the college, Mount Holyoke’s varsity hunt seat equestrian team was preparing for its competition against Trinity College. The competition took place on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Simsbury, Connecticut. Spirits and camaraderie were high amongst those competing. The Lyons finished in second place with 28 points, tied with Bentley University and Smith College, out of the nine teams competing in the Trinity College Show at Folly Farm.

Mount Holyoke College is part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which employs what is called “catch-riding.” In this, riders are randomly assigned a horse to ride in the competition through drawing lots. The horses are supplied by the college hosting the event. These riders do not warm up with these horses; instead, they are immediately thrust into competition with a random horse. In competition, they are judged based on how they ride the horse, how they communicate with the horse and how they maintain body position. There are two classes: flat and fence or “jumping.”

“This is a really unique opportunity because it is meant to put everyone on an even playing field — you don’t have to own a fancy horse to show,” Em Jablonka ’28 wrote in an email to Mount Holyoke News.

This competition is divided into five divisions, all based on a given rider’s skill level. In each division, the team picks one rider to be their point rider. This rider’s points will contribute to the team’s overall score.

Aside from the competition, Mount Holyoke’s equestrian team also anticipated the deep camaraderie they would feel during the day. From breakfast in Blanchard Hall at the beginning of the day to cheering each other on at the competition, a deep sense of community runs through the team.

“Our team is really good at cheering during shows, which is a great feeling because I know how supportive we are of each other,” Cloe Hinck ’28 said.

Mount Holyoke’s hunt seat team has since competed in a game at the Worcester State Show on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Berlin, Massachusetts. They will next hold a home show on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center.

Jillian Stammely ’28 contributed fact-checking.