Centenary University’s Equestrian Team hosted their inaugural NCEA meet against University of Lynchburg and Bridgewater College on the weekend of Nov. 8 and 9. While Centenary University is no stranger to hosting horse shows, it was the team’s first time hosting for an NCEA competition. 

National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA). It is the highest level of college-level riding, as it is NCAA recognized. 

The NCEA format of competition is different from other levels of collegiate riding as the format is head-to-head competition, meaning one rider from each school will ride the same horse and is given a score, the student with the higher score earns a point for their team. The team with the most points wins the meet. 

There are two sections of competition. The first section is fences where the riders compete a series of jumps that they are judged on and the second section is flat, where the riders complete a flat pattern very similar to dressage where they are judged and given a score. The rider with the highest score on each horse wins their point for their team. 

On Friday, Centenary tied to Lynchburg 5-5 but lost when they went into raw scoring, the process of adding up the scores of each rider rather than points awarded in the case of a tie. On Saturday, Centenary beat Bridgewater 6 to 4. During the meets, three Most Outstanding Performers (MOP) were awarded as well. 

The MOP is chosen by the judge of who they believe was the most outstanding rider in each section. In the meet against Lynchburg, senior Caroline Mancini, team captain, was awarded MOP on the flat. In the meet against Bridgewater, junior Kayley Besbris was awarded MOP for fences and freshman Sophie Kassel was awarded MOP on the flat.

Below is an interview with Friday’s MOP, captain Caroline Mancini.

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Tell me about your career as an equestrian. 

“I started riding when I was three. My grandparents took me on a pony ride at the fair and I just went from there. I did everything from the short stirrup up to 3’3. I did New England Finals, CHJA Medal Finals, CHSA Medal Finals. My partner was Nelson “Cartier”. He was pretty cool.” 

What drew you to Centenary’s equestrian program?

“Honestly when I came here it was hard for me to make a decision because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But what really drew me was the size of the school. I wanted something that was small, I didn’t want to be known by a number, I wanted to be known by my name. I really liked the horses and the program. I came for the practice ride day and I rode Reese. I really liked it and I really liked the coaches.”

How would you describe your first-year experience with this new team?

“I would say my first-year experience with the team has been really good! The girls are awesome, it’s a fun group to work with, traveling is a lot of fun. We all get along: we make the most out of it so it’s pretty fun. 

Were there any particular challenges in getting started?

“I would say there were a lot of challenges but it is a lot more so learning as a group. You know, doing it for a first year we really have to work on planning everything out, especially for home shows. Keeping everything organized, everybody has a job, and getting help from our other teams especially has been very helpful. I would say getting started overall, we had a good kick off to it, but I would definitely say there is a lot to work on and we’re just going to work through it as a group. 

Do you have a favorite horse?

“Honestly, my favorite horse is really hard. I would probably say my favorite horse here is George; I love George, he’s pretty awesome. 

As a senior, what comes next? Any plans to go professional? 

“As of right now I haven’t decided what I want to do when I graduate. I obviously want to do something with horses. My major is business so I’m hoping I can get a job out in the business industry and keep horses off to the side. I obviously see horses in my future but not exactly sure with what though.”

Tell me a fun fact about yourself. 

Fun fact about me: I bought my own horse with my dad as a business project. She was supposed to be a sale horse and I ended up keeping her and it’s been an interesting ride for me to really learn about caring for my own horse and taking care of her by myself and affording her while being in college.” 

Is there anything else you want to add?

“I would just say as a senior, I’m really sad to leave Centenary and all my friends. I really like being here and I love being a part of this team and the coaches are awesome. So that’s going to be tough but I’m excited to go out into the real world and see what’s out there for me!” 

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Thank you for taking the time for an interview Caroline. She is an integral part of the team at Centenary and a role model for her peers, the team is lucky to have her. Congratulations to Centenary on a successful debut in the NCEA! There will be more NCEA shows coming up next semester.