Sweet Briar College senior Jenny Walkiewicz captured the 2008 Randolph College Medal Finals during the Randolph College Fall Festival Horse Show on Sunday, Oct. 26. Walkiewicz was riding Renaissance, a Sweet Briar horse, in her third year competing for the medal.
Walkiewicz has been riding Renaissance all semester and acknowledged they’ve had their “ups and downs.”
“I think a lot of things just clicked that day and we were finally both on the same page,” she said. “It helped to have my dad there watching and [Sweet Briar hunter team coach] Mimi Wroten always knows what to say to get me to ride my best.”
For the Randolph finals, riders show over a course of eight or more fences that are 2 feet, 6 inches in height. Those who successfully complete the course also show on the flat. The class is judged 50 percent over fences and 50 percent on the flat.
This year’s course included 12 fences and had difficult turns and multiple bending lines, according to Wroten. “Jenny rode very smoothly and correctly over the course,” she said.
Jordan Fedrizzi ’11, riding SBC’s Prophet, also qualified to compete for the medal and placed seventh out of the 13 finalists.
The Oak Ridge Medal Finals also were held during the festival. Kelly “Renn” Goldberg ’11, rode for the Oak Ridge with her horse Tipperary. The pair placed sixth in the gymnastics phase and seventh overall in a field of 11 riders.
To earn spots in both finals, junior and amateur riders compete in qualifying classes during Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association shows throughout the year. Points from each show are accumulated, and the top 15 point earners are invited to compete for the medals. The Randolph medal is open only to riders who have not qualified in the previous two years for the Oak Ridge, SWVHJA Hunter Seat or SWVHJA Adult medals finals.
The Oak Ridge finals include three phases — over fences, flat and gymnastics. Over fences consists of at least 10 fences that are 3 feet to 3 feet, 3 inches in height with spreads to 4 feet, and must include one triple or two double combinations. A time allowed also may be used in the first round. In the flat, competitors show as a group.
The Oak Ridge Medal also acknowledges riders who have accumulated the most points in the class throughout the year, and riders from Sweet Briar swept the top two spots. Heather Theunissen ’09 was first and Maxine Emerich ’10 was second.
Year-end high-point earner for the Oak Ridge Medal class Heather Theunissen (left) stands with her horse, Double Dutch, next to Jenny Walkiewicz and SBC’s Renaissance, who won the 2008 Randolph College Medal Finals.
