Mississippi College Equestrian Team Finishes Third in Georgia Competition

Many new riders strengthened Mississippi College’s equestrian team early this season, including an impressive third-place performance last weekend in Georgia.

At the Berry College show October 21-22, MC recorded 21 points to outscore such teams as Georgia State, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory University, North Georgia and Mississippi State University.

Berry College finished first with 32 points. The University of Alabama picked up 24 points to emerge as the runner-up and edge out Mississippi College in the 11-college field at the school near Rome, Ga.

MC’s squad travels to the Peach State again with Georgia Tech serving as the host of the horse competition in Woodstock, Ga. on October 27-28.

Led by new coach Tina Davey, the equestrian team’s success is getting rave reviews on the Clinton campus.

“Davey has done an excellent job coaching, teaching and managing the equestrian program at Providence Hill Farm,” says Jim Turcotte, vice president for enrollment services and dean of students. “We are proud of the recent results of our team at the competition at Berry College.”

Davey also is delighted about the outstanding showing by the Lady Choctaws. “Our riders rode beautifully and displayed excellent teamwork, helping each other and cheering for each other.”

After two local shows this fall, the Berry College competition represented MC’s first this season in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

MC students turning in strong performances in north Georgia on Sunday included Erica Reynolds of Keller, Texas, who scored first in the intermediate flat. Hannah Daly of Madison finished second in the advanced walk, trot and canter. Others putting in solid outings were Sarah Yost, second in the beginner walk, trot and canter and Kristina Bordulis, second in the walk and trot.

Overseeing MC’s equestrian, bass fishing, and clay shooting teams at the Christian university, Turcotte is pleased with the substantial increase in riders this year. The equestrian team is loaded with a roster of more than 25 student-athletes. “Our equestrian team has more than doubled in size since last year and has added many riders from out-of-state.”

A 27-year-old California native, Davey brings enormous energy and skills to her new position at Mississippi College after serving as the founder and former coach of the University of California-Irvine equestrian team. She’s the former captain of the equestrian squad at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Jamie Planck Martin, the Providence Hill Farm owner and team advisor, says Davey deserves much of the credit for the team’s stellar performances. “The MC equestrian team is off to a fantastic start.”

MC equestrian fans are already looking forward to the squad’s appearance at the Holiday Show in Canton that runs from December 7-10.

For more information, go to http://www.mcequestrianteam.com or contact Tina Davey at davey_christina@yahoo.com.