Our riders may represent Sweet Briar on one or several of the following teams:
The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Team
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) team
Sweet Briar riders compete successfully in local and rated shows off campus in the USHJA Zone 3 region. Qualified students who are not on a team may participate as independent competitors in off-campus activities. Students also enjoy foxhunting, hunter paces and hunter trials with area clubs, including Farmington , Deep Run , Oak Ridge and Bedford County hunts.
Makayla Benjamin ’18
The College hosts several prestigious riding competitions each year, including indoor shows, a hunter trial, hunter pace and the Sweet Briar Horse Show, an annual event since 1926. Less experienced competitors can also ride and compete outside of lessons — our in-house shows let them experience the thrill of competition and build confidence.
Both advanced competitors and beginners enjoy a full calendar of riding activities throughout the year. Whether competing independently or on a team, participating as a recreational rider or working behind the scenes as an organizer, students at every level help make riding events a success.
Recent Awards
ODAC
2022
Reserve Champion Team
ODAC Rookie of the Year
2021
ODAC Champion Team
ODAC Rider of the Year
ODAC Scholar-Athlete
ODAC Coach of the Year
2020
ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year
26 Riders on ODAC All-Academic Team
2019
ODAC Champion Team
ODAC rookie of the year
ODAC Rider of the year
ODAC Coach of the year
Three all conference ODAC Riders
2018
2017
2016
2015
2013 Scholar Rider Athlete of the Year — Elizabeth Hansbrough '13
2012 Champion Team
Coach of the Year — Mimi Wroten
2011
NCEA
2022
Single Discipline National Championship Runner-Ups
Two Honorable Mention All America Flat Riders
2021
Single Discipline National Champions
National Championship Fences Most Outstanding Player
One All Championship Team Fences Rider
One First Team All America Fences Rider
One Honorable Mention All America Fences Rider
Three Honorable Mention All America Flat Riders
2020
NCEA Farnam All Academic Riders - 2 First Team and One Second Team
2019
NCEA Quarterfinals in jumping seat equitation over fences at nationals
NCEA top 10 seed jumping seet
NCEA Team sportsmanship award
2018 Team Sportsmanship Award
Equitation Over Fences — Top 10 Seed
ANRC
2022
5th Place Novice Team
6th Place National Team
2014 Novice Champions
Reserve Individual Novice Champions — Alexandra Markmann '17
2013 Novice Champions
National Reserve Champions
Individual Novice Champions — Kathleen Drake '14
Reserve Individual National Champions — Olivia Smith '14
Reserve Individual Novice Champions — Brianna Belter '13
2010 Novice Champions
National Reserve Champions
Reserve Individual National Champions — Morganne Young '11
ECAC
2022
Single Discipline Conference Championship Team - South Region
Coach of the Year
Freshman of the Year Fences
Rider of the Year Fences
2020
ECAC Rider of the week 6 times
ECAC Freshman rider of the year
ECAC All Team Flat Rider and Fences Rider
Four riders received ECAC All Academic Awards
IHSA
2021-2022
3rd Place Collegiate Cup Team at IHSA Nationals
National Champion Individual Open Flat
Zone IV Reserve Champion Team
2019-2020
IHSA Zone 4 Region 4 Champion Team
11 Riders received IHSA National All-Academic Awards
2018-2019
IHSA Nationals 8th palace team
IHSA Zone 4 Reserve Champion Team
IHSA Zone 4 Region 4 Champion Team
2017-2018
2016-2017 Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Open Equitation Over Fences
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Cacchione Cup Rider
2015-2016 Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Cacchione Cup Rider
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Open Equitation Over Fences
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Walk-Trot Equitation
2014-2015 Reserve Champion Team for Zone 4 Region 2
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Advanced Walk, Trot, Canter
2013-2014 Reserve Champion Team for Zone 4 Region 2
National Reserve Champion — Intermediate Equitation Over Fences
Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Cacchione Cup
Champion Zone 4 — Novice Equitation on the Flat
Champion Zone 4 — Intermediate Equitation Over Fences
Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Intermediate Equitation Over Fences
Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Novice Equitation Over Fences
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Open Equitation on the Flat
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Open Equitation Over Fences
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Novice Equitation on the Flat
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter
2012-2013 Reserve Champion Team for Zone 4 Region 2
Champion Zone 4 — Novice Equitation Over Fences
Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Cacchione Cup
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Intermediate Equitation on the Flat
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Novice Equitation Over Fences
2011-2012 Reserve Champion Team for Zone 4 Region 2
Champion Zone 4 — Novice Equitation on the Flat
Champion Zone 4 — Intermediate Equitation on the Flat
Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Novice Equitation on the Flat
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Intermediate Equitation on the Flat
Reserve Champion Zone 4 Region 2 — Open Equitation on the Flat