Goucher Equestrian Returns To The Top At Virginia Tech Invitational In First Competition On The Year

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Jacob Connell (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) has been impressive in the Goucher equestrian virtual shows. Connell did not disappoint in his first in-person show to help the Gophers secure first place at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Sunday.

Connell was named the Reserve High Point Rider after winning both the limit flat and limit fences to help the Blue and Gold win its first in-person competition since the UMBC IHSA Show on October 13, 2019. Goucher went 389 days in between its last in-person event but returned grandly.

Adeline Callihan (Keene, N.H. / Making Community Connections Charter) posted the other first-place finish in the intermediate flat.

Cole Jackson (Denver, Colo./East) placed second in the intermediate flat and intermediate fences, while Kristen Wilhelm (Columbia, Md./Liberty) was second in the novice flat in her in-person competition debut. Makaylin Shoop (Davidsonville, Md./South River) finished fifth in open fences.

Goucher competed in its first competition this year, while some schools have participated for most of the year. The Gophers tied Hollins for the top spot with 41 points, followed by Washington & Lee (39 points), Bridgewater (33 points), Emory & Henry (30 points), Sweet Briar (30 points) Virginia Tech (29 points), Lynchburg (27 points), Ferrum (26 points), UNC Ashville (29 points), Radford (14 points) and Western Carolina (12 points). Emory & Henry is the defending IHSA National Horse Show Champion after winning the event in 2019.

IHSA competition is broken up into five categories based on experience. The Open division has the most experienced rider, while intermediate is No. 2, limit is No. 3, the novice is No. 4, and introductory equitation is No. 5. The top three categories include two sub-sections; the "flat," which is a pattern that does not include jumping, and a fence section. Also, when teams are on the road they are using the horses at the home stable. The riders are judged on their ability to adapt, communicate, and perform with an unfamiliar horse.

Goucher will compete in a second in-person Virginia Tech Invitational on April 10. The Gophers' next competition will be virtual, and the team will submit their videos for the IHSA Spring Showcase II Online Horse Show on Wednesday.