Hunt Seat Equestrian Team members Sarah Alarie, Abigail Schuning, Hope Lock, Kelsey Doty, Abbigail Froelich, Katie Aeschbach, Kylee Larson, Cheyanne Montano and Lily Zomparelli and coach Selena Finn
Looking back on the 2021-22 season, perseverance is the word that comes to mind for Selena Finn, coach of the Black Hawk College Hunt Seat Equestrian Team.
“Many from this team went from their first time riding in this event to winning first place ribbons at the end of the season,” she said. “I cannot wait to see what next year holds for us!”
BHC riders compete against Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) teams from four-year schools across the Midwest. Black Hawk College is the only two-year school in its IHSA region and is a relative newcomer to hunt seat competitions – the college’s hunt seat program began in Fall 2018.
The team wrapped up the 2021-22 season at the Missouri State University IHSA show in Springfield, MO.
Students competed in seven divisions depending on their level of riding experience. Classes consisted of riding on the flat (riders execute specific gaits on the rail) and over fences (riders exhibit their horse’s skill over an elevated jump).
Here are the individual rider placings for the BHC team at the two-day MSU show:
Introductory Flat Division
Abbigail Froelich of Tama, IA
- Day 1 – 4th
- Day 2 – 3rd
Hope Lock of Granville, IL
- Day 1 – 5th
- Day 2 – 3rd
Pre-Novice Flat Division
Kylee Larson of Beloit, WI
- Day 1 – 2nd
- Day 2 – 1st
Larson also pointed up to the Novice Flat Division.
Novice Flat Division
Sarah Alarie of Downs, IL
- Day 1 – 4th
- Day 2 – 6th
Katie Aeschbach of Black Earth, WI
- Day 2 – 4th
Hunt seat rider Kelsey Doty – limit over fences
Limit Flat
Lily Zomparelli of Schererville, IN
- Day 1 – 2nd
- Day 2 – 5th
Kelsey Doty of Port Byron, IL
- Day 1 – 5th
Cheyanne Montano of New Lenox, IL
- Day 2 – 1st
Limit Over Fences
Lily Zomparelli
- Day 1 – 4th
Kelsey Doty
- Day 2 – 5th
Cheyanne Montano
- Day 2 – 5th
Intermediate Flat
Abigail Schuning of Caledonia, IL
- Day 1 – 3rd
- Day 2 – 1st
Intermediate Over Fences
Abigail Schuning
- Day 1 – 5th
- Day 2 – 5th
Read past posts about the Hunt Seat Equestrian Team: