Over the weekend of October 18-19, 2009 the Albion dressage team traveled to Copper Creek Farm in Williamston, MI for the first IDA show of the season, hosted by Michigan State University.

The first Albion rider to compete was team captain, Brittany White ’10 (Midland / HH Dow) who performed a consistent test at First Level and received a score of 69%, finishing the first day of competition in second place.

The next competitor for Albion's ‘A’ team was the 2009 IDA reserve national champion, Allison Robbins ’10 (Chardon, OH/ Plainfield Central), who competed at Upper Training Level. Robbins put in a solid performance that earned a mark of 63.2% and placed her third in a very competitive division.

In the lower training division, returning team member, Mary Applegate ’10 (Grandville/ Grandville), performed a very consistent test that earned a 63.9% and sixth place and helped the Britons finish the first day of competition in third place overall.

White was the first Briton in the arena again on Sunday, performing a different test and ending the day in third place on a score of 64.722%.

First year, Nicole Howey ’13 (Brandon, SD/ Brandon Valley), also rode at First Level representing Albion’s second ('B') team. Howey put in a steady test with some outstanding leg yields that earned a score of 59.167% and sixth place.

In the Upper Training division, Robbins demonstrated her consistent riding, placing second with a score of 61.600%.

Placing sixth on a score of 58% in the same division was first time IDA competitor, Greer Clemons ’13 (Powell, OH/ Olentagy).  Applegate was one of the first riders after lunch and put in a spectacular test, placing third on a score of 67.5%.

As a result of their consistent performances throughout the day the Albion team earned enough points to be named reserve champion. Other competitors for the Britons were first year students Alyssa Olson ’13 (Clarkston/ Clarkston), and Laurel Cherrier ’13 (Stillwater, MN/ Mahtomedi). The next competition for Albion's dressage team will be November 21 at the Held Equestrian Center.