Lexington, Va. -- For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Lynchburg equestrian team claimed the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Traditional Championship trophy with 16 total team points on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Virginia Horse Center.

Along with a conference championship title, Madeline Rubin was named the ODAC Rider of the Year and Phillip Williamson was tabbed the ODAC Coach of the Year. Williamson was awarded the accolade for the third straight season.

As a group, the Hornets took first place in Class 1, second place in Class 2, and third place in Class 3. Rubin and Mary Katherin Ragsdale placed within the top eight individually to earn spots on the All Conference team. Rubin finished atop the entire field with an average score of 87.750, while Ragsdale slotted in sixth overall with an 80.250 average score. 

Rubin's standout showing of 87.500 in Class 1 and 88.000 in Class two allowed her to control first place handily, beating out the next top scorer by a 5.250 average. Although Rubin was the sole Hornet performer to return from last year's championship group, the trio of Ragsdale, Rebecca Collier, and Amaya Bellfield shined to help bring the trophy back to the Hill City.

In her rookie campaign, Ragsdale earned scores of 82.500 and 78.000 in Classes 1 and 2, respectively, to average 80.250 for sixth overall. Bellfield and Collier performed in all three classes. In her first ODAC championship, Bellfield finished in the top half of the field with an average score of 74.750. The freshman earned the top score in Class 3 with an average of 87.500 while also claiming average scores of 84.500 in Class 1 and 65.000 in Class 2. Collier concluded the event close behind her, tying for 11th overall with an average score of 74.250, receiving scores of 75.500 (Class 2), 73.000 (Class 1), and 67.500 (Class 3).

The Hornets' 16 points gave them a two-point edge over second-place finisher Bridgewater with 14 points. Washington and Lee trailed close behind with a team score of 13 for third place, while Sweet Briar totaled 11 points for fourth and Hollins was awarded nine points for fifth.

Lynchburg's NCEA squad now preps for the team's Code Red meet against Sweet Briar on Friday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., while the IHSA team gears up for a trip to Blacksburg, Va. for the Virginia Tech IHSA fron Saturday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 9.

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