The Bowdoin Orient

November 10, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 9

Bowdoin Equestrians: A team on the rise

by Elizabeth McCain, CONTRIBUTOR

   The equestrian team finished its fall season with the Mt. Ida Horse Show on October 21 and the Dartmouth Horse Show on the 28th. The Mt. Ida Horse Show was well attended with six members of the nine-person team participating. Although the Bowdoin riders found themselves with challenging mounts, everyone rode quite well with Bowdoin placing first in Maine and 6th overall.
    Despite frigid temperatures and falling snow, the Dartmouth Horse Show, held over fall break, was still attended by five of the nine team-members. The team again placed first in Maine, beating University of Maine Orono, Bates and Colby, and placed 6th out of the ten teams in the region, finishing ahead of the University of New Hampshire. While this may not sound spectacular, the five schools ahead of Bowdoin have established varsity riding programs with teams of 25 to 70 people.
    All of the riders performed quite well. Captain Sarah Turner '02 said "Everyone has come so far this season, really adjusting to the set-up and riding much more confidently at the shows than at the beginning of the season."
    Highlights of the day included the performance of Krysia Lazarewicz '04 who not only rode well, but also placed 4th on a horse that threw many other competitors throughout the day. Anne Torregrossa '02 placed 3rd and received enough points to move from beginner walk/trot/canter to join Elspeth Faiman '04 in advanced walk/trot/canter when Torregrossa returns next fall. Elizabeth McCain '03, who placed first in both of her open level classes, also won High Point Rider, both of which are firsts for the young Bowdoin team.
    The team is looking forward to a strong spring season with a few new faces expected to join the team and propel Bowdoin to further success and greater respect as a presence in the region. Torregrossa and Turner will be missed as both are spending the semester abroad in Australia, but look for the younger riders to step up in their place. With the departure of Turner, McCain will be acting captain for the semester.
    If you are interested in joining the fastest growing sport on campus, email emccain@bowdoin.edu. All levels of riders are welcome, even those who have no previous competition or riding experience. Keep your eye out for the first show of the spring season hosted by Bowdoin and Bates on March 3 in Durham, Maine. Also look for a get-to-know horses day and other fun equestrian activities to be hosted by the equestrian club.

Bowdoin Equestrian Team