Equestrian Team Earns High Point Status

Mikal Porter Is High Point Rider in Team Win; Seven WC Riders Advance to Regionals Wilmington College’s equestrian team enjoyed historic success for the program at its home competition Feb. 18 when it won High Point Team for the afternoon show after being the reserve High Point Team for the morning show. PICTURED: Joe Schmidt won the Beginner Walk Trot events in both the morning and afternoon shows last Sunday. Adrianna Hibbard, the team vice president, said it was a “great advantage” to compete at WC’s Equine Center, where, “We know each one of our horses.” WC showed against Miami, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan and The Ohio State universities. Indeed, competitors do not ride their own horses in shows; rather horses are randomly assigned by the luck of the draw. Hibbard credited the team’s success as a result of a season of dedication and resolve exhibited by each member. “This team has worked so hard to get to this place where we are now,” Hibbard said. “Our team put on an awesome show this weekend.” She shared comments from fellow WC competitors, who said: “There was so much teamwork and support shown that all of our hard work was totally worth it”; “The amount of teamwork that was displayed by everyone to host the show this past weekend was amazing”; “I cannot express how incredible it is to be a part of this great team”; and “This weekend was full of amazing moments in my life and in my friends’ lives.” It’s been 10 years since WC earned High Point Team status, as it competes in Zone 6, Region 2 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which includes such nationally strong teams from large schools as Miami University, Ohio University and The Ohio State University. Sophomore Mikal Porter achieved High Point Rider for WC in the afternoon show. Top finishers included: Victoria Taylor, 2^nd Novice Division; Adrianna Hibbard, 2^nd Intermediate II Division; Kaitlynn Hodges: 2^nd Intermediate I Division; Joe Schmidt: 1^st Beginner Walk Trot Division; Mikal Porter, 1^st Reining and 2^nd Open Division; Ashley Dailey: 2^nd Advanced Division; Chelsea Argo, 3^rd Novice Division; Teiara Saling: 2^nd Reining and 6^th Open Division; Sarah Gigandet: 2^nd Beginner Walk Trot Division; Madison McConn: 3^rd Intermediate II Division; Maggie Kwiatkowski, 4^th Novice Division. Highlights of the morning show in which the College was Reserve High Point Team include Mikal Porter earning Reserve High Point Rider, while top finishers were: Victoria Taylor, 3^rd Intermediate II Division; Kaitlynn Hodges: 2^nd Intermediate I Division; Maggie Kwiatkowski, 3^rd Novice Division; Joe Schmidt, 1^st Beginner Walk Trot Division; Mikal Porter, 3^rd Reining, 2^nd Open Division; Ashley Dailey: 1^st Novice Division; Sarah Gigandet, 2^nd Beginner Walk Trot Division; Adrianna Hibbard, 4^th Intermediate II Division; Chelsea Argo, 4^th Novice Division; and Teiara Saling, 6^th Reining, 5^th Open Division Also, during the shows, Adrianna Hibbard, Victoria Taylor and Ashley Dailey pointed out of their current division into the next division, which advances them to regionals, where they will join teammates Kaitlynn Hodges, Chelsae Argo, Maggie Kwiatkowski and Mikal Porter. Additional Wilmington College equestrians will have an opportunity to qualify for the March 3 regional competition at another home show Sunday (Feb. 25). Also, WC’s Hunter Seat equestrians will compete this weekend at Ohio University. In addition to the team’s home competition last Sunday, the team enjoyed success competing at Miami on Saturday. Top placers were: Victoria Taylor, 3^rd Intermediate II Division; Adrianna Hibbard, 6^th Intermediate II Division; Kendra Nelson, 2^nd Beginner Walk Trot Division; Kaitlynn Hodges, 2^nd Intermediate I Division; Maggie Kwiatkowski, 4^th Novice Division; Joe Schmidt, 4^th Beginner Walk Trot Division; Miranda Roesel, 4^th Intermediate II Division; Hannah Carter, 4^th Intermediate II Division; Mikal Porter, Miami 3^rd Advanced Division; Ashley Dailey, 2^nd Novice Division; Chelsea Argo, 5^th Intermediate II Division; Teiara Saling, 6^th Reining and 6^th Open Division; Sarah Gigandet, 4^th Beginner Walk Trot Division; and Madison McConn, 4^th Intermediate II Division.