Four Mississippi College Equestrian Riders Advance to March 28 Zone Competition

Five MC equestrian riders with their ribbons and Coach Tina Davey at the March 7 regional competition.

A successful season for Mississippi College’s equestrian team continues with four MC riders to saddle up for this spring’s zone competition in Georgia.

The event is hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design on March 28. With a solid showing in Savannah, the equestrian student-athletes can punch their tickets to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s nationals in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 2015 nationals are scheduled April 30-May 3.

A 20-year-old MC rider from Batavia, Illinois, Sela McClelland is thrilled to advance to zones after an outstanding performance at the March 7 regionals at the University of Georgia.

 “I’m stoked to go to zones. I honestly didn’t think I would qualify, but the Lord was faithful and allowed my hard work and Coach Tina Davey’s training to pay off.”

 Sela finished in 2^nd place in the novice over the fences category at the regionals to move on.

An exercise science major with plans to become a high school athletic trainer, Sela will join teammates Katherine Mooney of Jackson, Hailey Elder of Tomball, Texas and Erica Reynolds, of Dallas, Texas at the zones. Its eight-state turf covers college equestrian teams in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentucky.

“This year has definitely had its ups and downs, but I am surprised and excited about going to zones,”  Mooney says.

a 22-year-old senior and stellar student, Katherine remains on track to receive her bachelor’s degree in biology, go to graduate school and pursue a career in psychology.

The Mississippi College team captain, Mooney finished in first place in intermediate over the fences and 2^nd in intermediate flat at the regionals to advance to Savannah.

Another MC senior, Hailey Elder 22, won first place in her division in advanced walk -trot canter at the regionals to go to zone competition. During practices at Providence Hill Farm, the team’s 2,000-acre headquarters, Hailey enjoys riding horses with names like Lady, Confetti and Lily.

Mississippi College is among more than 8,300 schools competing in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The program at the Baptist-affiliated university is wrapping up its 8^th season.

Tina Davey is pleased with the progress as the team nears the home stretch.

MC riders, the coach said, did an amazing job at the regionals in early March. “Their hard work and dedication paid off and are all so proud of them.”

Each year, Mississippi College ranks among the leaders in a tough division in the South that includes schools like Berry College, the University of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi State University.

For additional information on the MC equestrian team, go to www.mcequestrianteam.com or contact Tina Davey at cdavey@mc.edu