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The Brandeis Equestrian Team is off to a strong start this season. Having competed in three shows hosted by Tufts, UMass Dartmouth, and Bridgewater State College, the team has brought home a total of 18 ribbons, including a first place by Sarah Kalafut '09 in her intermediate jump class last weekend.

Despite fielding one of the smallest teams in the region, and one of the only equestrian teams that does not have Varsity Athletics affiliation, Brandeis powered its way to an impressive 9th place team overall finish at the UMass Dartmouth show on October 21st, with an energetic and strong performance from two first-time competitors, Ashley Zibura '11 and Liz Wilsker '11.

This year's team looks very promising. With a great combination of returning competitors such as Dan Lincoln '09, captain Beth Bowman '10, Maia Belic '10, and Kalafut;

and fresh faces like Zibura and Wilsker, Brandeis will be able to field a full team representing every level of riding experience, from Beginner Walk-Trot competitors, to the most advanced Open Fences competitors, who jump three foot tall fences on horseback.

The multi-level nature of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association makes it one of the most unique and inclusive athletic competition circuits in the nation. The Brandeis team is proud to have members with a wide range of riding experience — from members who sat on a horse for the first time this semester, to members who have been competing in horse shows since the age of six.

The team is looking forward to an action packed finish to the semester. With two horse shows this upcoming weekend, and another show which they will be co-hosting with Endicott later in the month, Brandeis is confident that the ribbon count will continue to grow, and has its eyes set on the National Competition in Los Angeles, California in May 2008.

Editor's note: Beth Bowman is the Captain of the Equestrian Team