LEONIA, N.J. (Mar. 6, 2017) - The LIU Post equestrian team kicked off the spring portion of its 2016-17 campaign Sunday with a high point finish at the Columbia University Show, hosted at the Bergen County Equestrian Center in Leonia.

The green and gold were led by senior Alex Rand (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), who earned high point rider accolades for the first time this year. She placed first in the open flat and open fences at the competition.

The Pioneers also had three of their riders qualify for regionals. Sophomore Jessica Sulkers (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) earned a regional bid in the open flat, after a first-place showing. Freshman Gianna Perry (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) qualified in the advanced walk-trot-canter with a first-place finish. Junior Mallory Slack (East Islip, N.Y.) won her class in the intermediate flat to secure a regional spot.

Freshman Cara Sappelsa (Smithtown, N.Y.) received a first-place ribbon in the novice fences. Fellow freshmen Nicolette Signorelli (Bellmore, N.Y.) and Kate Galvin (Southington, Conn.) took second and third in the novice flat, respectively.

Freshman Alex Daskam (Southbury, Conn.) came in second in the intermediate flat, while sophomore Chloe Hoerner (Brightwaters, N.Y.) was fourth. Junior Sara Peterson (Huntington, N.Y.) finished second in the walk-trot-canter.

Lastly, junior Shannon Wright (Valley Stream, N.Y.) rode to a third-place showing in the walk-trot.

Head Coach Brooke Chasin and her LIU Post squad are back in action next Sunday (Mar. 12), when they compete at the Region Show at the Olde Towne Equestrian Center in Selden, N.Y.