Mississippi College Equestrian Team Showcased at Providence Hill Farm

MC equestrian team riders shined at a November 2-3 horse show at Providence Hill Farm.

Welcoming horse riders from schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, Mississippi College’s equestrian team proved to be the perfect host on their home turf.

Louisiana State University finished on top at Providence Hill Farm during a two-day horse show November 2-3. Texas State and the University of Texas-Austin tied for second. MC landed in third place and Tulane got fourth with Trinity in fifth place.

The MC Lady Choctaws team recorded several outstanding individual performances. 

It was the first time MC hosted a large Intercollegiate Horse Show Association event in their neck of the woods. And, by all accounts, it was a huge success.

“We hosted competitive teams in our region and they were very impressed with our squad and Providence Hill Farm,’’ says MC administrator Jim Turcotte.

Turcotte, who oversees MC’s outdoor club sports, thanked head coach Claudia Billups and equestrian program director Ann Skogerboe for their hard work. “Together they have built one of the best equestrian teams in the region.’’

Turcotte also serves MC’s vice president for enrollment services and executive director of alumni affairs. The MC graduate was on hand at Providence Hill Farm to cheer the Choctaws. Seven college teams competed.

Among MC’s top riders, Lauren Sullivan of Wetumpka, Alabama achieved 1^st place and 5^th place finishes in the category of limit hunter seat equitation over the fences. Grayson Manasco of Fairhope, Alabama earned first-place honors for the category of limit hunter seat equitation flat.

Macy Urbanosky of North Richland Hills, Texas did well in several categories. That includes third and fourth place for open hunter seat equitation flat. Audrey Sanders of Hattiesburg achieved a third-place finish in the novice hunter seat equitation category.

Other teams competing at Providence Hill Farm in Central Mississippi included Rice, Tulane, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Arkansas.

“We look forward to hosting a show for our region again next year,’’ Billups said. “The MC team did a great job of working the horse show and competing.’’

The Blue and Gold competes with 14 riders from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia. This Fall, MC began its 13^th season with another talented squad.

Spring 2020 signals more horse shows for the Lady Choctaws. Mississippi College travels to a collegiate event hosted by Rice University February 1-2. It will be held at the Southern Breeze Equestrian Center in Fresno, Texas. As usual, host schools will supply horses for the riders.

The MC team hits the road again for an event hosted by Texas State University February 15-16. The riders jump hurdles at Hunter’s Chase Farms in Wimberely, Texas.

Mississippi College student-athletes seek to land spots in the 2020 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association regionals in Baton Rouge March 6-8.