BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Washington and Lee University equestrian and riding team took first place at Virginia Tech's IHSA event on Saturday. 

As a team, W&L bested the field with 41 team points. The University of Virginia and Hollins University tied for second place with 38 points. The Blue and White picked up 10 ribbons in the 14 class events that included four blue ribbons for first place.

Elisabeth Marek highlighted the individual finishes with a Reserve High Point Rider after a ride-off against Virginia Tech's Koelber Hawley. Anna Szefc was named High Point Rider for the Hokies. 

Marek was the top-finisher in the open flat scoring. Elli Pope and Allison Hines swept competition in the Intermediate class over fences and on the flat, respectively. Kaylin Jury rounded out the top riders with a first place finish in the introductory equitation class.  

Clare O'Brien finished with a pair of runner-up ribbons on the flat and fences in open equitation. tied with Hollins' Mallory Francis in the region's high point standings. The senior qualified for the regional IHSA competition in open over fences and on the flat. Marek, who also qualified for the regional championships, will compete on the flat for the Generals  
 

RIBBON WINNERS

OPEN EQUITATION 

On the Flat

• Elisabeth Marek finished first for a blue ribbon in her open flat class. 
• Clare O'Brien was the runner-up in the open flat. 

Over Fences

• Elisabeth Marek took second in her class over fences. 
• Clare O'Brien also placed second in open fences. 

INTERMEDIATE EQUITATION

On the Flat

• Allison Hines took first in the intermediate flat. 

Over Fences

• Elli Pope was the top finisher in the intermediate over fences class. 

LIMIT EQUITATION

• Lydia Bowersox placed third while Dara Bage took fifth in the limit flat class. 

NOVICE EQUITATION

• Abigail Hanson took fourth in the novice equitation on the flat. 

PRE-NOVICE EQUITATION

• Irene Tsengas placed fifth in the pre-novice class. 

INTRODUCTORY EQUITATION

• Kaylin Jury will return to Lexington with a blue ribbon in introductory equitation.
• Kelsey Portwood took third in the intro class.

REGIONAL STANDINGS

• The Generals own 180 points in regional team standings.
• The Generals trail Hollins (207 points), Virginia (192 points) and Virginia Tech (190 points) in the nine-team standings. 

UP NEXT

The Generals will travel to Lynchburg on February 24 for the University of Lynchburg IHSA event next Saturday.