Stonehill Places Third at Wheaton


Freshman Danielle Franchi win her open flat class to go with a third place finish in open fences on Saturday. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Skyhawk riders win four blue ribbons on flat

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (October 15, 2011) – The Stonehill College equestrian team turned in a third place finish in the Wheaton College show, hosted by Phoenix Rising Horse Farm, today. The Skyhawks, who were tied for second with Boston University on points (32), lost the tiebreaker to finish third, but moved atop the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 1, Region 4 standings by two points. Wellesley College won today's team event with 33 points.

Stonehill won four blue ribbons on the flat on Saturday, led by freshman Danielle Franchi (Islip, N.Y./Islip) who took first place honors in her open flat class while also placing third for open fences. Juniors Hanna Pattie (Newburyport, Mass./Brewster Academy) and Emily Dolan (Lacrosse, Wis./Aquinas) both placed first in their intermediate fences classes, while senior Nina Crossley (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional) was a first place finisher for novice flat.

Junior Cassandra Lorusso (Wrentham, Mass./Dana Hall School) earned a second place ribbon for open fences, while placing fourth for open flat. Senior Rebecca Rossi (Cranston, R.I./Bay View Academy) placed second in her intermediate fences class, while classmate Alexandra Keller (South Burlington, Vt./Stoneleigh-Burnham School) was second for novice fences. Junior Meghan Payne (Encinitas, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace) picked up a second place ribbon in advanced walk-trot-canter, while classmate Amanda LeBlanc (Allen, Texas/Morgan Park Academy (Ill.)) finished third in beginner walk-trot-canter.

Stonehill is back in action in two weeks for the Boston University Home Show, hosted by Holly Hill Show Stables, in Hanover, Mass., starting at 9 a.m.