Mississippi College Equestrian Rider Kathryn Cawthon Qualifies for 2014 Regionals

Mississippi College equestrian rider Kathryn Cawthon of Brandon competing at the Berry College horse show in north Georgia. The MC senior is qualified for the regionals March 1 at the University of Georgia.

A standout with Mississippi College’s equestrian team, Kathryn Cawthon is bound for regional competition at the University of Georgia in 2014.

An MC senior from Brandon, Cawthon turned in a solid performance at the Berry College invitational in north Georgia in November to punch her ticket to the regionals on March 1.

“We are very proud of Kathryn for qualifying,” said MC equestrian team coach Tina Davey. “She has been a great part of our team – from doing well at shows to helping train our young horses.”

Cawthon was superb in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition at Berry College as the MC team captured fourth place, one point below third place University of Alabama. MC Choctaw riders were four points below No. 2 Emory University of Atlanta.

Kathryn finished in first place in intermediate fences and in fourth place on the flat. The Rankin County resident qualified for regionals in novice flat and novice over the fences. “We are very proud of her,” Davey said.

There are 23 riders on the Mississippi College equestrian team roster this fall. The squad consists of 22 Lady Choctaws and one man from Brandon – Northwest Rankin High graduate Winston Franklin.

Among other highlights at the tournament won by Berry College, MC freshman rider Maggie Waters of Ohio was second in over the fences and fourth on the flat. The Baptist-affiliated university’s walk, trot and canter riders continued to be successful. Sophomores Brooke Visoski of Orlando, Florida and Meriwether Bass of Clarksdale won their sections.

Freshman Elizabeth Langford of Portland, Oregon finished second in her section, while junior Hailey Elder of Texas took third place.

Anna Grace Hildenbrand, an MC junior from St. Francisville, Louisiana, won her novice flat class and is within two points of qualifying for the regionals.

In novice over the fences, freshman Danielle LeBrecht of Orlando, Florida and freshman Sela McClelland of Illinois both placed third in their sections. “They both had solid rounds,” Davey said.

In its seventh season, the Mississippi College equestrian team travels next to north Georgia for a February 8-9 horse show hosted by Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University.

“Overall, it’s been a great start to our first semester of the season,” Davey said. “We are greatly looking forward to the next semester.”

With its lakes, riding trails and modern 36-stall barn for horses, 2,000-acre Providence Hill Farm is headquarters for the university’s equestrian team. MC horses have names like Hale Bopp, Forever Young, Dasha and Highland Laddie.

For more information about the Mississippi College equestrian team go to www.mcequestrianteam.com or contact Tina Davey at 601.925.0557.