ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Cornell equestrian team got off to a flying start this past weekend when it kicked off the 2014-15 season at the two-day show hosted by RIT.  The Big Red dominated the competition as the high point team (First Place) for Saturday, while the team earned reserve high point team (Second Place) on Sunday. After the two day event, Cornell has opened a sizeable early lead in the overall regional standings.
 
The Big Red boasted top point riders on both days of the competition. Sophomore Carlee Roberts earned high point honors on Saturday, Oct. 25, while junior Meridith Meyer captured reserve high point position. Senior Caitlin Parrucci earned the top-spot as high point rider on Sunday, Oct. 26.
 
"I'd say the team really delivered on its goals of both excellence and sportsmanship. Everyone worked together and supported each other in a way that made me very proud," first-year head coach Joanna Novakovic said.
 
The RIT show represented the debut event for the Novakovic. The team certainly seemed to have responded to her tutelage as several participants had strong showings to point-up into higher divisions of competition.
 
While she had already been competing in the Open division in fences, experienced sophomore rider Victoria Whitworth had a fine showing in her flat routine to move up to the Open division for that category as well. Sophomore rider Amanda Ko – already in the Open division for flat – had a strong showing in her fences routine to point-up into the Open division as well.
 
Moving up into the Intermediate division was­: sophomore Shana Coffey in both fences and flat, Roberts in both fences and flat, and Parrucci in fences. Roberts had a strong performance in her opening run in the new division, earning a first place ribbon in fences and a fifth place finish for her flat routine.
 
Sophomores Claira Seely and Lauren Jaquay both move up into the Novice division for both fences and flat events. Seely had an extremely successful first run in her new division, earning a third place ribbon for her fences routine.
 
The Big Red will be well represented at Regionals, as all seven riders who moved up a division this weekend have already automatically qualified to compete at their previous division at this year's Regional Championships.
 
"The show was a huge success, especially the first day," senior co-captain Sofia Steinberger said. "Coach Novakovic was a great support both in terms of her ability to train us properly for the show ring and to keep focused with a positive outlook. Our team did a really good job of riding well and being gracious competitors."
 
Cornell also received promising performances from two rookies who were making their Big Red debuts. Junior Amanda Symmons collected two second place ribbons in walk/trot, while sophomore Anne Case garnered second and third place ribbons in Beginner walk/trot/canter.
 
"The hard work we have been putting in since the start of preseason really paid off in the ring this weekend," Novakovic continued. "When the pressure was on, our girls came through. All of our riders looked strong, prepared, and focused."
 
The Big Red will get right back into action this coming weekend as the team travels to Alfred for a one-day show on Sunday, Nov. 2.
 
"I am looking forward to the next few weekends of competition and to continuing to building stronger as a team," Novakovic said.