BOLTON, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University equestrian team kicked off the new season at Century Mill Stables in Bolton, Massachusetts, at a show hosted by Brandeis University. The Bears finished eighth overall in the team standings.
Junior Abigail Abbott (Wareham, Mass.) started the day strong, guiding Jolie in open fences and taking first place. She then rode Indy in open flat and finished fourth.
Senior Emily Desmond (Braintree, Mass.) competed in open flat aboard Soul and placed fifth, before moving to limit over fences and earning another fourth-place finish. Desmond also qualified for regionals in limit over fences and pointed into intermediate over fences.
Senior Rianne Wyckstrom (Hudson, Mass.) also rode Jolie and delivered a lovely trip in her division.
Sophomore Julia Max (Salem, N.H.) competed in limit flat and fences, placing sixth and fifth, respectively, on Rip and Willow.
Junior Alyson McKeon (Worcester, Mass.) rode Hickstead in limit flat and secured a fifth-place finish.
Sophomore Melanie Schick-Fernandez (Abington, Mass.) took Master into limit flat and placed third.
Sophomore Becky Costa (Foxborough, Mass.) represented the Bears in novice and finished second.
Sophomore Kaitlin Volpe (Millis, Mass.) rode Willow in pre-novice and earned reserve.
Freshman Kathryn McCarron (North Attleboro, Mass.) made her IHSA debut on Rip and placed fifth.
BSU equestrian will return to the ring next weekend. The Bears will compete on Saturday at Grand Champion Show Stables in Stoughton, Mass., and Sunday at Annabelle Meadows Farm & Equestrian Center in Westwood, Mass.. Saturday's show is hosted by Stonehill College and Sunday's show is co-hosted by Boston University and Tufts University.