WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College equestrian has qualified 2 teams and is sending 26 rides to the 2024 IHSA Nationals, setting a school record, after tremendous performances in Michigan and Illinois during late March.

The SMWC Western Team traveled to Albion Michigan on March 23-24 to compete at 1 of the 3 western semi-finals that the IHSA hosts nationwide. The team finshed 4th overall, just 4 points behind the championship team, which qualified them to advance to IHSA Nationals as the 4th and final qualifying team. 
 
In addition, Megan Manlief, Kyley Pelfrey, and Katie Wendorf will be advancing as individuals in their respective classes. "Semi-Finals was an awesome experience with an exceptional set of horses to compete on," says Coach Tabatha Taylor. "Adam D'Agostino and Albion College put on an exceptional qualifying event that was a great preparation for the national show."
 
It is unusual to have zones and semis come up on back to back weekends, but that is how the calendar shook out this year. The Hunt Seat Team traveled to Roscoe, Illinois to compete at the beautiful Ledges Sporthorse Facility, on March 29-30. Like the Albion Semi-Final, the Zone 7 Championship was a competitive day for teams. SMWC finished Reserve Champion and will advance to IHSA Nationals as a team. 
 
Jaden Perry continued to shine in her breakout Freshman season, earning the championship ribbon in all Team and Individual Open classes and finishing second in the Cacchione Cup class. She will compete at nationals in all five classes. Other individual successes include Madisyn Courtney, Kyley Pelfrey, and Madison Raiser, all of whom are advancing to nationals as individuals. Kyley and Madi are both legacy students at The Wood's whose moms rode together on the SMWC Equestrian Team. Kyley and Madi were noteable at zones because they swept the Novice Division, claiming both available national spots from Zone 7. 

The team will travel to Tryon, North Carolina to compete for the IHSA's top honors May 3-5. The IHSA boasts more than 10,000 student riders and approximately 400 registered schools. SMWC has qualified as one of 16 Hunt Seat and one of 12 Western Teams that will compete for the associations biggest prize.
 
In addition to the individuals above, the SMWC will send the following team riders to Nationals:
 
Western Team Representatives:
Open Reining - Megan Manlief (jr.)
Open Horsemanship - Megan Manlief (jr.)
Ranch Riding - Kyley Pelfrey (so.)
Level 2 Horsemanship - Hope Gillaspie (jr.)
Level 1 Horsemanship- Katie Wendorf (sr.)
Rookie Horsemanship - Courtney Hamrick (fr.)
Beginner Horsemanship - Olivia Paperstein (so.)
 
Hunt Team Representatives:
Open Fences - Jaden Perry (fr.)
Open Flat - Jaden Perry (fr.)
Intermediate Fences - Madisyn Courtney (jr.)
Intermediate Flat - Hope Gillaspie (jr.)
Limit Fences - Hannah Minton (fr.)
Limit Flat - Hannah Minton (fr.)
Novice Flat - Savanna Amschl (fr.)
Introductory Flat - Abbigael Coyle (so.)