Spring Break Success for Albion Riders

While many college students seized the opportunity presented by spring break to lie on the beach or participate in service projects, two Albion equestrians took a different approach and spent the weekend of March 12-14 competing in a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) rated show hosted by Majestic Farm in Batavia, Ohio.

Dressage team member Allison Robbins '10 (Chardon, OH / Plainfield Central) (pictured at right) and full-time British Horse Society (BHS) candidate Emily Jackson rode Albion school horses Troy and Bronson to solid scores, with Robbins scoring in the 60s in her debut at First Level. Robbins will next compete with the Briton dressage team in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association national championship, where she finished as reserve national champion at Lower Training Level in 2009.

Jackson made her USDF competition debut at the Majestic Farm show and came away with three wins in the Training Level division. Aboard Bronson, she earned a 66.522% from judge Sue Kolstad in Training Level test one to kick off her solid weekend of performances.

Not to be outdone, Albion College dressage team coach Danielle Menteer (pictured below left) accompanied her riders and competed at First Level on Teddy, as well as piloting Albion College Lenox to victory in the Prix St. George on Sunday with a score of 64.737%.

Of the students' rides, Menteer said, "Allison's highlights were her high scores for straightness and her canter work. For Emily, this being her first dressage show ever - let alone her first USDF show - she showed great poise and concentration."

"All in all, it was a good weekend and a great start to the regular competition season," she added.