Dartmouth Equestrian team makes history with their first national title, led by standout Elise Stephens in the NCEA championship.

Dartmouth Equestrian team has achieved a historic milestone by clinching their first national title in program history. They triumphed at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Single-Discipline National Championship held in Ocala, Florida, defeating the College of Charleston with a raw score of 749.67 to 701.67 after both teams tied with five points each.

The competition featured head-to-head contests in jumping seat events, including fences and flats, where Dartmouth took an early lead by winning 4 out of 5 contests in the fences portion. Key riders such as Chloe Terestchenko, Samantha Takacs, Cassidy Exner, and Elise Stephens played pivotal roles in securing this victory. Notably, Elise Stephens was named the Most Outstanding Player in the fences category and earned a spot on the All-Championship Team.

Dartmouth stands out as the only Ivy League school competing in the NCEA, showcasing their talent in a highly competitive environment. Riders are randomly assigned horses and have approximately four minutes to familiarize themselves before the competition begins. This victory marks Dartmouth`s second appearance at the national championship since joining the NCEA in the 2021-22 season, having previously reached the semifinals last year. The team was also recognized as the Richards Group Athletes of the Week following their remarkable achievement. Looking ahead, the coach aims to enhance the team`s performance in flat events while maintaining their strong results in fences.

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