Equestrian Sweeps Shows at Nazareth in Fall Finale
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Cornell equestrian team concluded its fall season with a bang, winning the High Point Team title in both shows of a double-header at Nazareth on Nov. 20-21 in Rochester, N.Y.
The Big Red’s fall season was nothing short of impressive, as Cornell rode away with the High Point Team title in five of the six shows in which it competed. In addition, the Big Red had 10 riders point out of their divisions this fall, hence, qualifying for the Regional Championships as an individual in the spring.
Cornell had six riders qualify for regionals with their performances last weekend at Nazareth, including Annaliese Hines, who pointed out of limit flat and into intermediate flat. That wasn’t the only highlight of the weekend for Hines, however, as Hines also earned the title of Reserve High Point Rider at Saturday’s show after winning her limit flat class and placing second in intermediate fences.
Talia Aley’s progress this fall has been unmatched, as the senior co-captain pointed out of her division for the second time this year over the weekend. Aley, who started out the season competing in pre-novice, has now advanced to limit flat and limit fences. Aley’s first performance in limit flat couldn’t have gone better, as she finished first in her class on Sunday. Fellow co-captain Anjali Velu also qualified for regionals in the highest division possible, open fences.
Ashley Ardila, Catherine Thrasher, and Alexandra Miranda all joined in the excitement of pointing out and qualifying for regionals, as Ardila picked up her fourth individual victory of the year on Saturday in introductory to move up to pre-novice. Catherine Thrasher pointed out of novice and into the limit flat and fences divisions, while Alexandra Miranda qualified for regionals in limit fences after winning her class on Saturday and pointing into intermediate fences.
Previously this season, Katherine Philipp, Hannah Braun, and Indigo Pavlov also qualified for regionals by pointing out of their divisions. Philipp qualified for regionals in limit flat, Braun made the cut in pre-novice, and Pavlov qualified in novice. Braun also qualified for regionals the last time the Big Red competed, being named the Reserve Regional Champion in introductory in 2019-20.
Several newcomers shined during the Big Red’s shows at Nazareth, including sophomore Lauren Reeves, who picked up back-to-back victories on Saturday and Sunday in introductory in her collegiate debut. Freshman Jillian Steinmetz also emerged victorious in her debut, finishing first in limit fences on Sunday.
Notable Performances From Nazareth Show #1
Annaliese Hines – First, Limit Flat / Second, Intermediate Fences
Alexandra Miranda – First, Limit Fences
Ashley Ardila – First, Introductory
Lauren Reeves – First, Introductory
Anjali Velu – Second, Open Fences / Third, Open Flat
Liza Pacchiana – Second, Intermediate Flat
Catherine Thrasher – Second, Novice
Amanda Lazar – Second, Introductory
Katherine Philipp – Third, Intermediate Flat
Talia Aley – Third, Novice
Caroline Gaudet – Third, Novice
Notable Performances from Nazareth Show #2
Jillian Steinmetz – First, Limit Fences
Talia Aley – First, Limit Flat
Amanda Lazar – First, Introductory
Lauren Reeves – First, Introductory
Anjali Velu – Second, Open Fences / Third, Open Flat
Annaliese Hines – Second, Intermediate Fences
Bianca Garcia – Second, Intermediate Flat / Third, Intermediate Fences
Tara Tremmel – Second, Limit Fences
Indigo Pavlov – Second, Limit Flat
Katherine Philipp – Third, Limit Fences / Third, Intermediate Flat
Hannah Braun – Third, Novice
Catherine Thrasher – Third, Novice
The Cornell equestrian team’s next show won’t take place until February, when its season resumes with a show at Alfred on Feb. 19 in Alfred, N.Y.
