By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Two members of the Bridgewater State University equestrian team will attempt to qualify for a national competition this weekend.

Senior Emily Desmond (Braintree, Mass.) and junior Abigail Abbott (Wareham, Mass.) will take part in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Zone 1 Championships in South Hadley, Mass., on Saturday at 9 a.m.

The top two finishers in each event will advance to the IHSA Championships, which take place at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C., May 1-3.

Desmond and Abbott advanced to the Zone 1 Championships by finishing first at the Zone 1, Region 4 competition last Saturday in Plainville, Mass.

Desmond, a co-captain for three seasons, is making her second trip to the Zone 1 competition after competing as a sophomore while Abbott, in her second season as a co-captain, just missed reaching the Zone 1 level a year ago.

Now they are headed to the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center together, one step away from the nationals.

"It's truly amazing that I get to experience it one more time and hopefully it'll be the one to get me to move on to the nationals," said Desmond, who has qualified in limit over fences. "I'm very grateful to be able to do it again since it is my senior year."

Said Abbott, who will be in the open flat division, "I am so excited. I felt amazing (qualifying) last Saturday. This has been the goal since freshman year."

Desmond competed in the Zone 1 Championships as a sophomore with Samantha Burke, who was a senior co-captain, in 2024.

Now she is going with Abbott alongside. The two have been co-captains together for a pair of seasons and have developed a close friendship as teammates for three years.

Desmond's career is coming to an end and she is going out by taking part in the postseason.

"There wre definitely tears shed knowing I was able to qualify with Emily and make her last year one of the best ones yet," said Abbott. "It felt really good knowing we made it together.

"She's one of my best friends. It's sad to see her go, but it's good that this last year we've made an impact on our region and each other."

Said Desmond, "I'm so glad I have her by my side, not just as a teammate but a co-captain and one of my best friends. We met when she was a freshman and formed an incredible relationship. To be able to go on to (Zone 1) with her makes it 10 times better."

Desmond was also at Mount Holyoke for the 2024 Zone 1 Championships and gained valuable experience that will help her on the return trip.

The show was a lot different from regular-season competitions and Desmond knows what is going to unfold this time.

Desmond finished 10th in limit flat while Burke was third in limit flat, just missing the nationals, and fourth in the limit over fences.

"The first time, I really had no idea what I was walking into," said Desmond. "I didn't have anyone on the team who had gone before, so I didn't have a lot of knowledge going into it.

"I was kind of shocked at how competitive it was. It was nothing like the regular season. Now, going into it for the second time, I have a bit more knowledge and I can prepare better.

"I'm able to take what I saw from two years ago and be able to tell the coaches what I want to work on, further testing in the jumping, work on the things that I saw happen. I'll have a better idea."

Abbott has been getting a scouting report on what to expect at the Zone 1 show from Desmond.

"Emily told me it's going to be a big ring and that it's going to be a little overwhelming at times," said Abbott. "As long as you keep a cool head and go in and do what we know what to do and have been practicing, it should be fine.

"She's right there beside me. I would not have it any other way."

Desmond is looking to extend her BSU career by placing in the top two Saturday and moving on to the nationals in May.

"It would mean the world to me," said Desmond. "It's been my dream, obviously, ever since I came here as a freshman, taking it to that next level, making it all the way. Even just getting to zones, I'm proud of that. Whatever happens will happen.

"(Riding at BSU) has been nothing I ever expected. It has truly been amazing. It's been just incredible."

Abbott would like nothing better than to join Desmond for one more show in North Carolina at the nationals.

"I know some tears are going to be shed again Saturday,'' she said. "We hope we make it to nationals. As long as we keep fighting, I think we might have another ride.

"This is something we've wanted. This year we really stepped up our game. We said we're going to do it and we were fighting for it. We wanted to make it happen. I think I would be speechless if we did it."