Sophomore Emma Zamierowski won the Zone 1 Championship in walk-trot. (PHOTO BY Tom Eng Photography)

Zamierowski Zone 1 Champion for walk-trot, while McDonnell a Reserve Champion in novice fences 

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (April 7, 2014) – Two members of the Stonehill College equestrian program will represent the program at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships next month with their performances at the IHSA Zone 1 Championships, hosted by Mount Holyoke College this weekend.

Sophomore Emma Zamierowski (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) earned a blue ribbon as Champion for Walk-Trot Equitation to earn her first trip to nationals. Junior Kayleigh McDonnell (Rutland, Vt./Rutland) will also compete at nationals for the first time after earning Reserve Champion in Novice Equitation Over the Fences.

Zamierowski and McDonnell will be back in action at the IHSA National Championships, hosted by Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, in Harrisburg, Pa., May 1-4. Stonehill's two national qualifiers are the most for the program in two years.

Stonehill sent five riders in all in seven events to the Zone 1 Championships over the weekend. Senior Sara Kelly (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) just missed qualifying after placing third for intermediate equitation on the flat, while also placing fourth for intermediate fences. Junior Danielle Franchi (Islip, N.Y./Islip) also qualified for two events and placed fifth in open flat to go with an eighth place showing for open fences. Senior Kristen Stachnik (Westhampton, N.Y./Westhampton Beach) rounded out the Skyhawks by competing in intermediate fences.

Stonehill's five qualifiers are its most since 2012 as well.

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