Two Washington and Lee students earned first place in the Bridgewater IHSA Invitational on Nov. 1. First-year Liza Allner recorded a win in the intermediate equitation over fences, while sophomore Parrish Preston won his walk-trot event.

To prepare for competitions, the team rides twice a week. Their ability to do this, Allner said, is one of their team’s greatest strengths.

“You pick out of a hat the horse’s name, and you get on and you can’t warm up or do anything like that,” Allner said regarding the competitions. “It makes you a better rider because you have to learn to be flexible.”

In addition to these practices they work out and do yoga to strengthen their cores.

“A lot of people don’t realize it’s a sport where a lot of strength is involved,” Allner said. “You have to do so much work and make it look effortless.”

Competitions involve three levels–novice, intermediate and open–and competitors are placed into each division based on ribbons that they earn outside of the collegiate competition. Within each division, there are two classes: flat and jumping. There is also a walk-trot event, which Preston competes in.

Preston says that on competition days, he spends the time up until his event mentally preparing.

“It usually consists of me listening to music–anything from Beethoven to Eminem,” he said.

In their upcoming competition, Allner would like to focus on the little details about her ride.

“It’s primarily based on equitation, so how you look and how you can make the horse look good too,” she said.

Preston has similar goals. “I’m always looking to improve,” he said. “From last time, I want to focus on keeping the heels down more and sitting up taller.”

Allner’s major strength, she believes, is how lightly she rides the horses. Preston said that his strength is that he is very coachable.

Both Allner and Preston said that they enjoy being on a team, because both were used to competing individually.

“It’s a very supportive environment,” Allner said.