Rustburg, Va. -- The second-ranked University of Lynchburg National Collegiate Equestrian Association team celebrated Senior Day Saturday with a 5-2 victory over No. 5 SUNY New Paltz.
The meet started out closely contested with each team garnering two points over fences. Sophomore Jacqueline Needle led off the riding for the Hornets, scoring 73 on Story, but New Paltz captured the opening point with a 75-point ride.
Sophomore Kelley McCormick evened the early tally, scoring 83 atop Rain to best her Hawks counterpart by four points, and after another New Paltz score, freshman Fallyn Belcastro finished the fences rides with a 78 on Ziggy to win a two-point victory over her opponent and even the meet score at 2-2.
Lynchburg fared much better on the flat. Freshman Emma Schweizer set the tone for the Hornets, scoring out at 82 on Story for the go-ahead point. Freshman Lucy Metzler followed with another winning ride, judged at 81.5 points with Mama to cement Lynchburg with at least a tie in the meet.
The Hornets' next rider, senior Taylor Herzog, scored 69 to match her New Paltz opponent's ride and clinch victory for Lynchburg by way of the wash. McCormick added the cherry on top for the Hornets, teaming up with Rain for 75 points and the fifth Lynchburg point of the day.
McCormick took home most outstanding performer honors over fences, while Metzler captured the honor on the flat.
Lynchburg's equestrian team will return to action Sunday at the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center for the Spring 2022 Lynchburg Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association show, and the program will celebrate Senior Day for its IHSA riders prior to competition. Lynchburg's NCEA schedule picks up again next weekend as the Hornets make the trip to Columbia, S.C. for meets with Delaware State and South Carolina.
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