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Teetor jumps to Nationals
Equestrian will compete in open fences
division
By Emily Stack
Collegian Reporter
Continuing her highly
successful season, junior Betsy Teetor triumphed at zone-level
equestrian competition last Saturday at Morehead State University
in Kentucky.
Teetor took first place in the open fences
division, which means that she will be competing for the national
championship on May 6 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Teetor will be vying for the title against
18 other riders from around the country.
The format of the competition in the Intercollegiate
Horse Show Association remains the same at all levels. Horses
are paired at random with riders, and the layout of the fences
course does not vary in difficulty.
At the zone competition, Teetor's first horse
stopped mid-field twice. Because this was not due to rider error,
she was given a new horse and rode it to a win.
Competing against three other riders, Teetor's
top-place finish won her a bridle and "a really, really
long ribbon."
Experienced in riding competitions, the possibility
for mistakes or a bad horse does not affect Teetor's nerves
until moments before she enters the ring.
"I knew I had the capability to win that
class, but there's always the chance that I'll lose or slip
or mess up," she said. "I did get a little nervous
just thinking that I'd really like to win this [zone] and go
on to nationals."
Though she was the only rider from Hillsdale,
Teetor's father, teammate freshman Alexis Berthold and the Brady
family, who shares their stables with the equestrian team, all
went with her to the event.
Berthold said she was happy to have been able
to accompany her teammate to the meet.
"Kentucky was such an experience for
me. Watching Betsy ride was so amazing. There were so many good
riders there from schools a lot bigger than we are," Berthold
said. "It really goes to show how dedication and work over
the years pays off in the end. I am so proud and happy for her."
Although she lacked the support of a coach
and teammates, Teetor found the other equestrian competitors
to be considerate and concerned.
"The Findlay, Otterbein and Grand Valley
coaches were really supportive and helped me out, especially
since I didn't have a trainer with me to walk the course with,"
Teetor said.
"The Findlay coach even said she'd help
me out at nationals."
Hillsdale's equestrian team adviser Deb Johnson
said that Teetor's victory attests to the entire team's determination
to overcome the challenges of Hillsdale's limited facilities
and funding.
"Betsy and Deanne [Hunt] have done an
outstanding job leading this team, as well as individually,
Johnson said.
"They have set a great example
for the future riders, and it just proves that hard work can
beat all the odds."
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