Equestrian Has Strong Showing at UGA
BRASELTON, GA- The Valkyries Equestrian Team competed the weekend of Feb. 12th and 13th at a University of Georgia hosted event and came away with an 8th place finish on Saturday and a 7th place finish on Sunday. A total of 13 IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) teams were in the field, and Converse had a strong showing considering they fielded only 5 riders.
Sophomore Sallie Katherine Thompson (Kannapolis, NC) highlighted the event for Converse placing 4th and 6th on Saturday and 1st and 2nd on Sunday in intermediate over fences and on the flat, respectively. Freshmen Claire Kunkler (Spartanburg, SC) and Kathleen Coker (Kingstree, SC) both finished in 6th in their respective events on Saturday, while Kunkler took home a 4th place showing on Sunday and Coker earned two 5th place finishes. Freshman Meredith Walker (Union, SC) finished 3rd in her division on Saturday and 5th on the second day of competition, while freshman Miranda Tobiasen (Orlando, FL) placed 4th on Saturday and won her class on Sunday in equitation on the flat. The judges commented that Tobiasen, "won hands down with beautiful equitation," in regards to her performance on Sunday.
"The team rode great this weekend," stated assistant coach Crystal Bohnen. "Sallie Katherine Thompson qualified for Regionals and pointed out of Intermediate over fences into the open division. The open division is the highest level of competition in the IHSA. All of the other riders are focused on getting enough points in the next two shows to qualify for Regionals."
The team will be in Mount Berry, GA on Feb. 26th and 27th at Berry College.
