The new school year is well under way, and so is Bucks’ Equestrian team.
They kicked off their season on Sept. 26 in one of 17 shows this year in hopes of repeating as Western champions and bettering their third-place zone finish in 2004.
Coach Dee Jones hopes to send some of her riders to nationals later this year. That just may happen with the long list of hopefuls this time around.
Weimar, who finished in no less than second place in her last three shows, looks to be a candidate again this year. Last year, she qualified for the National Horse show after a solid performance throughout the season.
Three of the most experienced riders this year will be Erin Torbet, Danielle Hoffmeister, Sarah Marino and Chrissy Aussieker.
Torbet brings a sense of humor with her despite frequently competing with up to 15 other people in her class.
Aussieker rides in both the Western and English classes and has been successful at each, “Chrissy Aussieker wins in everything,” said Jones.
Other hopefuls this year include Seirra Haggard, who is new to the team.
Haggard has never ridden a horse previously to joining the Equestrian team this year, and is doing very well in the beginner lever her first season with the team.
“She was nervous at first, but now she is winning classes,” said Jones.
Another newcomer this year is Lauren Weidner. Weidner is often quiet and laid-back, but she rides with style in the ring.
Pfeiffer is another quiet girl when it comes down riding, but Jones says “people take notice when she is riding.” Pfeiffer won her class in last week’s show which has helped to improve the team’s overall standings.
Returning rider Eva Shaw is also expected to make an impression by the end of this year.
Jones said that with a little more time and confidence, she will be awesome in the end.
Because of a coaching strategy, Michelle Picone was bumped up two levels higher than her class last year. She is now matched up against the top riders in the most advanced level.
But with her strong riding skills, she is currently the Centurions in the running for second place.
Jessica Phillips, who won her class in the last show, is great in both English and Western classes and has shown “tremendous improvement,” according to Coach Jones.
Kelly Straight, who her coach calls “calm, handles nicely, and looks good on a horse,” has also contributed to the team.
Although Jaclyn Grant only rides in the English class, she attends every show to cheer on and give moral support to her teammates.
“Her support makes them do better,” said Jones.
Another returning rider is Danielle Hoffmeister, who is used to block opponents in competitions.
“Other teams don’t like her because she does very well,” said Jones.
Riding instructor Sarah Marino also rides in the English class. That experience with horses has apparently helped Marino in the ring.
“She can get the horse to do anything that she wants,” said Jones of Marino. “She needs to look fashionable. She forgets to look pretty because she is too into the horses.”
“If I had a dollar for each time someone said ‘I didn’t know we had an Equestrian team,’ I’d be the richest teacher here,” said Jones.
Bucks will be hosting a Western show this weekend at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Saddle Brook. The course is located on Route 73 in Skippack, Pa.
The team will also be hosting an English show the next day at 9 a.m. at Briarwood Farms.An expected 65-80 riders will be participating at the Saturday show. 271 will be participating on Sunday.
“The thing I love, over my career, is that no one sits the bench,” Jones said. “If you go to practice you show at every show. If you don’t go to the practice before the show, you won’t play.”
But in 2004, Jones hopes her team will get more recognition for their efforts.
“The only thing I would change is the lack of college-wide communication.” she said. “Not only for the Equestrian team, but also for all activities on this campus.”
There are two different classes of riding in equestrian, referred to as Hunter classes.
In Western class, horses rather slowly and the rider must remain seated on their large saddle the whole time. Judges solely focus on the rider rather than the horse’s appearance.
Western class further consists of riding small and calmer horses. Horses ridden in the English class are the complete opposite.
The course for these riders is also a bit more difficult than that of a Western course. In addition, horses move at a faster pace and are required to jump over fences.