REHOBOTH, Mass. — The Roger Williams University Equestrian Team kicked off its 2025–26 season with a fifth-place finish at their co-hosted home show with Salve Regina, hosted at Bluemead Stables. The University of Rhode Island earned High Point Champion Team honors with 30 points, while Johnson & Wales finished close behind with 29.

Leading the Hawks, Annika Ormsby (Devens, Mass.) took first place in Novice Equitation on the Flat, a result that qualified her for the IHSA Zone 1 Region 1 Finals in March 2026. Alexandra MacDonald (Norwood, Mass.) also impressed with a first-place finish in Intermediate Equitation on the Flat and a fifth-place finish over fences. Lily Scarth (East Setauket, N.Y.) claimed first in Limit Equitation over Fences and fifth on the flat, while Emma Gaeckle (Southampton, N.Y.) added a third-place showing in Limit Equitation on the Flat (Section A).

Other top performances included Grace Braga's (Barrington, R.I.) fifth-place finish in Pre-Novice Equitation on the Flat, and Lindsey Savoie (Tolland, Conn.) and Leah Folco (Smithfield, R.I.) placing fifth and sixth, respectively, in their classes.

"After just a few weeks of practice, I am pleased with today's individual results. The team is catching on to a new system and the team is committed to the new system and found success. Our three first-place finishes and Annika's qualification for the regional championships in the novice division are especially of note," spoke first-year head coach Dirk Fogg.

"In addition to good riding today our Hawks along with Salve Regina joined together to host a fabulous season opener. Hard work by our student-athletes both on and off the horse made for a wonderful day."

The Hawks will return to Bluemead Stables next week to host the Fall Invitational, beginning at 9 a.m.