Equestrian Places Fifth at Horsebarn Hill Show

By Abigail Abbott

STORRS, Conn. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team opened the 2025 spring season on Saturday at Horsebarn Hill Arena on the campus of the University of Connecticut. The Bears finished in fifth place in the team standings.

Sophomore captain Abigail Abbott (Wareham, Mass.) guided Utzi, a black welsh cross gelding, in intermediate over fences and placed fourth. With her performance, Abbott pointed out of intermediate fences and qualified for regionals. Abbott also rode Percy, a 15.1 grey welsh gelding, in her first open under saddle placing sixth.

Junior captain Emily Desmond (Braintree, Mass.) steered Utzi to a first-place finish in intermediate flat. Desmond pointed out of intermediate flat and qualified for regionals. She also hopped on Toby, a 15.2hh paint gelding, in limit over fences and placed fourth.

Freshman Julia Max  (Salem, N.H.) had an amazing ride on Utzi, placing sixth in limit over fences. Max hopped on Tesla, a 15.2 bay Morgan gelding,  for the limit flat placing third.

Senior Hannah Arsenault (Attleboro, MA) held the reins of Excal, a bay Morgan gelding, in limit flat and placed sixth at the show.

Freshman Kaitlin Volpe (Millis, MA) guided Statesman, a chestnut Morgan gelding, in pre-novice and got reserve out of a competitive class.

Sophomore Alyson McKeon (Worcester, Mass.) rode Toby in limit under saddle, placing sixth.

Freshman Becky Costa  (foxbrough ,Mass.) also had a beautiful ride on Statesman in the novice taking home the win.

Junior Maeve Murray (Marshfield ma) had a great ride on Excal in the pre-novice taking reserve in a huge class. 

Freshman Melanie Schick-Fernandez (Abington, Mass.) geared up on Tesla in the limit under saddle taking home fourth.

The BSU equestrian team will be riding again next Saturday as the Bears will co-host are a show with Babson College at Grand Champion Show Stables in Stoughton, Massachusetts.