Post University Equestrians Start Season With Wins

WATERBURY — At the first two shows of the spring semester hosted on February 12 by Wesleyan University and February 20 by Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University, the Post University Equestrian Team earned five first place and seven second place ribbons. This is an excellent performance for the small team, which also took home Reserve High-Point Team and High Point Rider honors from the Sacred Heart/Fairfield show.

The Post University IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) Equestrians have worked hard to get to this point, said Coach Heather Johnson, who commends them for their success. “It’s really nice to see all the hard work paying off. They are so committed. Ashley [Barrett] spent most of her winter break on a horse,” she says. Equine Program Director Abby Bloxsom agrees, pointing out that “three of these riders are brand new to the school this semester. We are very lucky to have them and the positive energy they contribute to our program.” Johnson gives real credit to the competitors who she called “a talented group of young riders” and expects the team to continue the season successfully, as the new team members gain experience competing in this challenging sport.

Senior Ashley Barrett of Ansonia was first in her Open Over Fences class at both shows, sixth and first on the flat, and earned High Point Rider at Sacred Heart/Fairfield, as well. Over the two shows, freshmen Janine Savoie of Shelton and Carly Puzacke of New Hartford also won blue; Savoie for Advanced Walk Trot Canter at Wesleyan and Puzacke for Novice Over Fences at Sacred Heart/Fairfield. Second place ribbons were awarded in Advanced Walk Trot Canter to sophomore Michelle Rogowski of Goshen N.Y., in Novice Over Fences by freshman Elisabeth Sawelsky of Sharon, Mass., in Novice Flat by Sawelsky and Puzacke, in Intermediate Flat and Fences to Lauren Donohue, sophomore from Sterling, Mass., and in Open Over Fences to Shelby Cocks, a freshman and NCAA lacrosse player from Walden, N.Y.

In addition, Donohue, Puzacke, and Cocks took home four thirds among them. A fourth place was earned by Rogowski, a fifth by Senior Niki Cogliano of Stamford, and a total of seven sixth place ribbons were awarded to junior Meaghan Hennessy of Roslindale, Mass., sophomore Kelsey Repsch of Philadelphia, and Cogliano, Sawelsky, and Savoie.

Three of Post University’s equestrians have already qualified for the Regional Championships to be held at Mystic Valley Hunt Club in early April. Niki Cogliano, Lauren Donohue, and Carly Puzacke have all qualified by pointing up into the next division, and both Donohue and Puzacke are a scant few points from advancing again before the end of the season.

The team practices at Lee’s Riding Stables in Litchfield. The Post University IHSA Equestrian Team competes again on February 27 at Trinity and March 5 at UConn.