The Clover Grove Farm Interscholastic Equestrian Association Varsity Hunt Seat Team joined the top teams in the country to compete at the National Finals in Lexington, Ky., April 20-24.
The Clover Grove team was named the number 2 IEA team in the nation. This is a great accomplishment as the organization consists of over 11,000 members, and more than 1,300 teams from 36 states.
The Staunton-based team has 18 high school and middle school student riders. The regular season competition runs throughout the fall and winter. Teams must accumulate points to qualify for postseason regional and zone competition, and be one of the top three zone teams to move on to the National Finals.
Ethan Maye of Fairfield won first place and the national championship in the Individual Intermediate Over Fences division. Josie Elliott of Lexington won first place in Team Varsity Over Fences. Ann Ashley Daniel of Rocky Mount placed second in both Individual and Team Intermediate flat classes, and Sadie Stott of Staunton was also second place in both Individual and Team Novice flat classes.
IEA competitions utilize a system where riders travel to a variety of equestrian facilities and compete on horses they have never ridden without any preparation. This requires riders to demonstrate extraordinary skill in riding, horsemanship, and athleticism.
The Clover Grove team is coached by Britni Cash, owner of Clover Grove Farm and coach for the Mary Baldwin College Equestrian Team, and Luanne Leonard, a teacher at Riverheads Elementary School, 1978 winner of the Cacchione Cup and “A” Pony Club graduate.
Leonard said: “We are lucky to have a deep and talented team this year. It was difficult to select just a few members to attend the finals, as it took the effort of the whole team to get to this point. Every rider contributed to our success, and deserves recognition”.
The Clover Grove high school team traveling to Kentucky consisted of: Mackensie Bowles (Robert E. Lee High School), Josie Elliott (Rockbridge County High School), Ann Ashley Daniel (North Cross School), Ethan Maye (Ogburn Online School), Emma Evans (Riverheads High School), Sadie Stott (Robert E. Lee High School), and Chloe Kerschl (Stuart Hall School). Individual qualifiers are Ethan Maye, Anne Ashley Daniel, Sadie Stott and Lauren Daniel (North Cross School).
The Varsity Clover Grove team also includes: Lauren Secrist (Spotswood High School), Sarah Howard (Stuart Hall School), Shannon Jenkins (Grace Christian School), Kendall Benner (Buffalo Gap High School), Brianne Lefanowicz (Saint Anne’s-Belfield School) and Katie Amirault (Highland High School).
For more information on the Clover Grove IEA team, the Mary Baldwin College Equestrian Team or riding lessons and summer riding camps at Clover Grove Farm contact Britni Cash at 540.256.1568 or visit Clover Grove Farm on Facebook.
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