KINGSTON, R.I, — May 1, 2017—The University of Rhode Island’s equestrian team is champing at the bit.

The 29-member team has won the regional championship for the fifth year in a row and sent seven riders to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s national competition in Lexington, Ky., May 4, where they ranked seventh.

The team, part of Campus Recreation/Club Sports at URI, has excelled under the leadership of President Katie Williams and Vice President Jen Blazy. The road to nationals has been a long one; Williams recalls the struggles dating back to her freshman year.

Under the leadership of a different coach, the team practiced at a stable that only had an outdoor space. Williams, a rider since the age of 6, was disappointed that the barn did not have indoor practice areas.

Two years ago, after the team’s third regional win, Williams found the team divided. Morale was low; the team was in turmoil. With the help of a former university administrator, the team voted to move to a new stable—and get a new coach.

The new indoor-outdoor facility in Ashaway was a welcome change and less expensive. “Finances play a big role in everything we do,” said Williams, of Rochester, N.Y. “Eighty percent of our budget comes from dues and fundraising and the other 20 percent is funded by URI Club Sports. Fundraising for the team includes our annual golf tournament for friends and family, Dine to Donate at local restaurants and donations from supporters.”

The new facility also came with two coaches, Wendy Brayman and Samantha Craig, and more horses. URI and other colleges throughout the region host horse shows, where they provide the horses. It’s important, then, for competitors to practice on different horses so they are better prepared at competitions.

“Team bonding has helped us overcome many of the obstacles we’ve faced,” said Williams, who is majoring in animal and veterinary science. “Horseback riding is an individual sport, but when we compete at this level, we have to ride for our team if we want to win. We really placed an emphasis on the importance of supporting each other.”

Blazy credits the team with helping her break out of her shell.

“I was very introverted when I came to URI and mostly did my own thing. After joining this team and having so many people believe in me, it has truly helped me believe in myself,” said Blazy, of Long Island, a pharmacy student. “I never would have considered running for a position, but now next year I will be the president with huge shoes to fill.”

Looking back on the team’s success in the last four years, Williams said: “I never understood the URI motto ‘Think Big, We Do’ until my extensive involvement on this team. Two years ago, our dream had been to make it to the nationals. This year, after regionals, we competed at the zone level, and our team became Zone One Reserve Champions. We earned our first team spot at nationals. We thought big, and we did it.”

“The team should be very proud of their accomplishments,” said coordinator of Club Sports, Chris Daigle.  “Qualifying for nationals as a team for the first time in team history is the culmination of determination, hard work and persistence. Being the five time Zone I, Region I Champions is great, and nationals is the payoff for all they have worked toward over the years.”

Besides Williams and Blazy, the women competing at nationals will be Lauren Henry, of North Kingstown, show captain; Alana Gillick of Dunkirk, Md.; Kianna Taylor of Cranston; Jackie Bourassa of Leicester, Mass.; and Emelissa VandenBosch of Bangor, Maine.

In addition to the team’s success, there were also strong individual performances. Henry has been the High Point Rider in Zone One Region One since her freshman season, last year. Henry will also participate in the Cacchione Cup at IHSA Nationals, the most prestigious class there. Last year she was the only freshman in that classification, in the entire nation, and she placed within the top 10.

Williams was nominated for the Zone One Region One Sportsmanship Award this year and was a member of the IHSA Zone One Region One Student Ethics Committee. She was nominated for the URI Alumni Association Rhody Celebrates Class of 2017 Student Leaders.

Williams and Blazy agree that the equestrian team has provided a community of friends on campus. They’re confident they’ve helped create a stronger team that will flourish for years to come.

Other team members are:

Alexis Almeida of North Dighton, Mass.
Alex King of New Fairfield, Conn.
Autumn Tlockowski of Hampton Bays, N.Y.
Bailey Chalut of Hopkinton.
Bridget Montle of Wakefield.
Candice Mason of Clark, N.J.
Claire Kenna of Wakefield.
Danielle Meyers of New Canaan, Conn.
Giavanna Spadafore of Sterling, Mass.
Grace Gleason of Duxbury, Mass.
Gretchen Lang of Cranbury, N.J.
Hailea Palmer of East Kingston, N.H.
Haley Kaercher of Branford, Conn.
Jessy Peterson of Chester, N.J.
Karli Baker of Coventry.
Kiera Mantyla of Sparta, N.J.
Lauren Miller of Doylestown, Pa.
Meaghan Costa of New Bedford, Mass.
Nora Hall of Warwick.
Olivia McCloskey of East Greenwich.
Rocio Paulino of Providence.
Stacy Robichaud of Wilmington, Mass.

Olivia Ross, an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at URI and public relations major, wrote this press release.