The University of Findlay’s western equestrian team captured its third national title on Sunday, May 6, in Springfield, Mass. The Oilers won the event with 38 points, 10 better than Ohio State University, which came in second. The Oilers’ national championship is their second in three years; UF riders placed first in five classes out of six in the team competition.

Trevor Dare, high point rider

Findlay’s Trevor Dare, a native of Hilliard, Ohio, was named the high point rider for the event, finishing with 175 points in the two phases of competition. He was four points better than Oregon State’s Keith Ceddla.

April Smith placed sixth in the individual beginner horsemanship class. Kirstin Swankie placed ninth and Andrea Shaffer was reserve national champion in the individual novice western horsemanship classes.

“It’s nice to have the trophy home again,” said Paula McRill, office manager of the Center for Equestrian and Pre-Veterinary Studies, referring to the fact that the Oilers’ name appears on the trophy three times now.

McRill, who noted that she feels like the students’ campus mom, traveled with the team to provide an extra helping hand during the competition. When she wasn’t assisting students, she was in the stands rooting for the Oilers. “I enjoy rooting kids on and making sure everything is done that coaches don’t have time to do,” she said.

In the English competition, The University of Findlay’s English equestrian team captured the 2007 reserve national championship on Saturday, May 5, in Springfield, Mass. The Oilers finished the event in a tie with Mount Holyoke College; both teams had 25 points while Virginia Intermont College won the national title with 37 points.

“Travis Womer won the individual fences for intermediate, so right out of the gate, we won the first class at the horse show,” said Sandra McCarthy, director of the English riding program and the head coach for the English team.

Senior Kathryn Johnston won the individual open hunter equitation on the flat while senior Laura Baldine placed third in the collegiate cup open equitation over fences.

Going into the final phase of the competition, Baldine was in sixth place. According to McCarthy, the top six riders competed in a work-off, which moved Baldine into third place and put the team in place for the national reserve champion title.

Team standings – western
1. The University of Findlay – 38
2. Ohio State – 18
3. St. Mary’s of the Woods – 15
4. Oregon State – 14
4. Middle Tennessee State – 14
6. Nebraska – 13
7. West Texas A&M – 11
8. Morrisville – 7
9. Blackhawk – 2

Team standings – English
1. Virginia Intermont College – 37
2. Mount Holyoke College – 25
2. The University of Findlay – 25
4. Brown University – 23
5. Cazenovia College – 10
6. Centenary College – 9
7. Berry College – 8
8. University of Delaware – 7
9. Skidmore College – 6
10. Purdue University – 5
11. University of Kentucky – 5
11. Stanford University – 5
12. University of Wisconsin-Madison – 4