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Mollie Thomas (’20) competing in Novice Fences



The Chapman Equestrian team closed their 2016-2017 season in a big way on Sunday February 26th, 2017. Chapman Equestrian beat out the top teams in their region at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association horse show hosted by USC at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, taking home the high point team honors. Chapman also took the reserve high point team honors for the Saturday show on February 25th, 2017. Freshmen riders Natalie Teague and Mollie Thomas were a big part of the team’s success at USC. Natalie Teague (’20) was reserve high point rider for the Saturday horse show, and Mollie Thomas (’20) was high point rider for the Sunday show. Both Natalie and Mollie compete in the Novice fences (jumping) and flat divisions.

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Captain Leah La Masney (’17) competing in Intermediate Fences



The Chapman Equestrian team is a team of experienced student riders who compete on behalf of Chapman University in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 8 Region 2 horse shows. These horse shows are hunter seat equitation shows. The riders of Chapman Equestrian show both over fences (jumping) and on the flat. The competition is “catch ride” style. In other words, the students draw a random horse the morning of the competition that they will ride in front of a United States Equestrian Federation rated judge. Riders are judged on their riding skill, position in the saddle, and adaptability to their horses.

Chapman Equestrian has two riders qualified for post season competition. Team Captain Alexa Sikes (’17) will be representing Chapman in the Open Flat division and Cara Plotkin (’19) will be representing Chapman in the Walk Trot Canter division. Cara Plotkin will be competing at IHSA Zone 8 Region 2 finals held on March 4th, 2017 hosted by UCLA at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, CA. Alexa Sikes will be competing at IHSA Zone 8 finals hosted by Stanford University at the Stanford Red Barn on April 8th, 2017. Alexa Sikes also finished the season as the region’s reserve Cacchione rider, which is the high point honors for the Open division.

Highlights of the 2016-2017 Season


  • High Point Team:
    • February 26, 2016 at USC

  • Reserve High Point Team:
    • November 13, 2016 at Claremont

    • December 4, 2016 at UCSD

    • February 25, 2016 at USC

  • High Point Rider
    • Alexa Sikes (’17) October 23, 2016 at Cal Poly Pomona

    • Mollie Thomas (’20) February 26, 2017 at USC

  • Reserve High Point Rider
    • Natalie Teague (’20) February 25, 2017 at USC

  • Cacchione Reserve High Point Rider
    • Alexa Sikes (’17)

  • Region Finals Qualifier
    • Alexa Sikes (’17) Open Flat division

    • Cara Plotkin (’19) Walk Trot Canter division

  • First Place Blue Ribbon Winners
    • Kathleen Knight (’17) Novice Fences – November 13, 2016 at Claremont

    • Kathleen Knight (’17) Novice Flat – December 4, 2016 at UCSD

    • Alexa Sikes (’17) Open Flat – October 23, 2016 at Cal Poly Pomona

    • Alexa Sikes (’17) Open Flat – November 12, 2016 at Claremont

    • Alexa Sikes (’17) Open Flat – February 25, 2017 at USC

    • Alexa Sikes (’17) Open Flat – February 26, 2017 at USC

    • Natalie Teague (’20) Novice Fences – February 26, 2017 at USC

    • Mollie Thomas (’20) Novice Flat – February 26, 2017 at USC

    • Catie Woodward (’20) Walk Trot Canter Advanced – February 26, 2017 at USC

    • Congratulations to all the riders on a successful season!


Chapman Equestrian is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone 8 Region 2. Questions about Chapman Equestrian can be directed to head coach Jessica Bower: jbower@chapman.edu