OCALA, Fla. – The Sweet Briar NCEA team (8-5, 6-2) concluded the 2021-22 season today after a 5-3 loss to Lynchburg (7-8) in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Single Discipline National Championship Finals at the World Equestrian Center.
The Vixens fell behind 3-1 in fences competition after sophomore
Emmy Longest (Hanover, Va.) scored the lone point for the team. Longest earned a 208 on Bentley to beat Kelley MCormick by 10 points.
Sweet Briar and Lynchburg were evenly matched in the flat event, each gaining two points during the meet. This time, first-year
Katherine Atherton (Montpelier, Va.) and junior
Kacie Freeburg (Orlando, Fla.) scored points. Atherton secured a 243 on Swag while Freeburg totaled a 225.5 on Lina.
Despite going toe-to-toe on the flat, the Vixens could not overcome their two-point deficit from fences and fell to the Hornets by a final score of 5-3.
Highlights
- Atherton closed out the season with four-straight wins in the flat events, not having lost since seeing action against Southern Methodist on March 4.
- Longest's 10-point differential win was the highest of the day for the Vixens against riders who scored.
What's Next
The Vixens will look towards preparing for the 2022-23 season.
