Stanford Dressage Completes Strong Season

Nationals qualifier, senior Kate Erickson, aboard Nike in First Level

On March 3 and 4, the Stanford dressage team hosted a pair of IDA shows at the Stanford Red Barn's dressage court, placing an emphatic finish on a strong season. Riders from Stanford dressage clinched the win on Sunday after placing third on Saturday, tying for the regional championship for Region U. Highlights of the weekend included:

Senior Kate Erickson finished second in First Level on Saturday aboard Stanford's Nike and won on Sunday with a 62.92% on Jackson. After her strong weekend, Erickson qualified to represent Stanford at the IDA National Championships -- becoming only the second Stanford dressage rider ever to do so.

Junior Patrick Freeman, fresh off a fall quarter spent abroad in Australia, took reserve high point rider honors on Saturday with a 70.36% ride in Upper Training aboard Jove. On Sunday, Freeman again put in a strong ride, finishing second with another score in the 70s.

Junior Patrick Freeman: reserve high point rider on Saturday

Not to be left behind, senior Michelle Berry, one of the founding members of the Stanford dressage team and a qualifier for IDA Nationals in 2010, won reserve high point rider on Sunday. Berry's ride on Sterling in Lower Training earned her a personal-best score of 72.08%.

Graduate student Christy Amwake took two solid 3rd-place ribbons in Upper Training, including a personal-best score of 68.8% aboard Jove on Saturday. Fellow graduate student Marilu Corona was not far behind in Intro, winning second on Sunday. Sophomore Olivia Cords rounded out the roster, riding her way to ribbons in both of her Lower Training classes.

Senior Michelle Berry: reserve high point rider on Sunday

While the regional championship tiebreaker went to the Cal Poly team, the up-and-coming Stanford dressage team celebrates a season full of strong riding. The IDA National Championships will take place at Centenary College in Long Valley, NJ, on April 25-30.