Equestrian Places Third in Controversial Finish

The equestrian team’s show at Skidmore this past weekend was not without controversy, as it placed a disputed third out of thirteen teams, behind the host team (47) and Morrisville (38). The Red managed 36 points and was followed in the standings by Colgate (34), Hobart (28), Hartwick and Hamilton (26), Binghamton (25), Cobleskill (24), Siena (23), Anent (19), Ithaca (18), Elmira (14) and Albany (10).
“I’m disappointed, I think the girls rode great,” said head coach Chris Mitchell. “I think at the end of the day the judging was a little bizarre, and it is a sport that you are being judged on.” Cornell opened the day with senior tri-captains Dana Kendrick and Caroline Shulman placing second and fourth, respectively, in Open Fences.
[img_assist|nid=33883|title=Still life|desc=Senior Caroline Shulman takes a breather during the Cornell Show at Oxley Equestrian Center on Nov. 9.|link=node|align=left|width=|height=0]
In Novice Fences, sophomores Kelsey Craig and Rachel Klion placed second in their sections, while freshman Justine Gentilini won her first class in the IHSA.
Kendrick returned to the ring for the Open Flats and came away with a blue ribbon –– a win that qualified her for the regional championships to be held at Skidmore on March 28.
“It feels great, it’s my fourth year going to regionals,” Kendrick said. “I think I rode well, and I’m excited for next semester because I think we’re all on a good roll.”
Junior Brooke Cagwin finished first in Intermediate Flats, and was followed by Gentilini in the rankings.
Klion picked up her second straight second-place finish of the day in Novice Flats. Sophomore Samantha Duxbury had a similar result in her class.
In Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter, sophomore Lauren Lavo placed second, while classmate Morgan Broccoli picked up her first IHSA win of the season.
Sophomore Lizzie Briggs finished second in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter and will move up to the Advanced division in her next show.
Cornell was in second place going into the last class of the day, Walk/Trot. Freshman Charmaine Tan took third in her class, but a difference of opinion ensued when it came to the judging of sophomore Scotty Weber’s section.
“The judge and I did not see eye-to-eye at all,” Mitchell said. “[Weber] should have been, in my opinion, first or second, and she didn’t even get a ribbon.”
Mitchell took his concerns up with the judge following the class.
“The answer I received was not a valid one,” he said. “So I was very disappointed in that … not disappointed in the way that [Weber] rode, but disappointed in the outcome, which she had no control over.”
Kendrick echoed her coach’s sentiments.
“Scotty was the clear winner of the class, [at least second],” she said. “And she ended up not placing. … It was a huge surprise to us, and that’s why we ended up getting third.”
Despite the team’s dissatisfaction with the results of the show, the Red is looking ahead to the Tournament of Champions on Dec. 6. The show will take place at Lake Erie College, and will feature many teams that have either competed at nationals in past years.