Dec. 4, 2008
COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M freshman riders Jackie O'Connell (Saunderstown, R.I.) have turned in some outstanding performances outside of the collegiate equestrian landscape while adjusting to college life all at the same time this fall.
Lia Chafee, who finished in the top 25 percent at the East Coast U.S. Equestrian Team Talent Search in early October, grabbed 23rd place among 274 riders in the U.S. Equestrian Federation Hunt Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. in late October.
In order to qualify for the Medal Final, Chafee had to earn a certain number of points according to her state of residency (Rhode Island was 48). Points were assigned based on finishes in qualifying classes with 1st place earning 10, second earning 6, third earning 4, and fourth earning 2. She was required to win at least one qualifying class with at least six competitors participating as well.
Chafee also competed in the New England Equitation Championships in Springfield, Mass., this fall. She earned a seventh place finish among 45 riders in the Open Equitation 15-17 division then placed in the top 50 among 236 riders at the NEHC Junior Medal Final.
Teammate and fellow Rhode Islander Jackie O'Connell also competed at the New England Equitation Championships. O'Connell finished seventh among 75 riders in the New England Hunt Seat Equitation Adult Final 18-22. During the qualifying rounds, she moved up from 13th to seventh on a horse she had never ridden before. O'Connell also earned the Adult Sportsmanship Award, an award given to a rider by the New England Committee who is always helping out even when he/she isn't competing and supports others besides themselves.
"Receiving this award was an honor because riding isn't all about the ribbons and winning, its about the passion and love for the sport," O'Connell said.
On the western side, Katie Lisabeth earned a victory in AQHA 14-18 Western Riding at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress this fall. Lisabeth beat out 45 other riders for the win. Katie is trained by Robin Frid.
The Congress is the world's largest single-breed horse show. The show receives more than 17,000 horse show entries and houses more than 8,500 registered American Quarter Horses during its three-week schedule. The Congress attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus, Ohio area, bringing more than $110 million to the central Ohio economy.