ITHACA, NY — The Alfred University English equestrian team placed third out of 10 teams competing Sunday, Dec. 5, at a show hosted by Cornell University. Six AU riders won events, with two qualifying to compete at the regional championships in April.

The following AU riders took home first-place ribbons: senior Maire Cosgrove (White Haven, PA/Bishop Hoban) in open equitation on the flat; senior Michelle Flannery (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) in novice equitation over fences; sophomore Amelia Keyes (Webster, NY) in novice equitation over fences; junior Erika Raye (Sussex, NJ/High Point Regional) and sophomore Tesla Parker (Waitsfield, VT/Harwood Union), each in novice equitation on the flat; and junior Jessica Repanes (Huntington Station, NY/Half Hollow Hills) in advanced walk-trot-canter.

Senior Barbara Koziol (Syracuse, PA/Bishop Ludden)(open equitation over fences) and Rapanes(advanced walk-trot-canter) each qualified to compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone II, Region II championships April 2 in Ithaca.

Other top riders for AU at the Cornell show included freshman Megan Burke (Montrose, NY/Hendrick Hudson), second in novice equitation over fences; sophomore Hallie Draegert (Dayton, NY/Gowanda), third in advanced walk-trot-canter; senior Natalie Grow (Hyde Park, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes), second in intermediate equitation on the flat and third in intermediate equitation over fences; Koziol, third in open equitation over fences; junior Danielle Ross (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter’s), third in intermediate equitation on the flat; senior Erin Toone (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South), third in advanced walk-trot-canter; and freshman Christina Watts (Barryville, NY/Eldred), second in walk-trot.

The AU English equestrian team is in action next on Jan. 30, when the Saxons will host a show at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center.