Meghan Piermarini Qualifies for Nationals

Greenfield, MA-- Megan Piermarini, (Jr. Sterling, MA) is the first ever Equestrian Team member from Endicott to qualify for The IHSA National Competition.

In order to accomplish this honor, Megan won her Novice Fences class at Regionals on April 2. This qualified her to ride at the Zone Championship on April 9. Megan won her class at Zones, which earned her the right to go to the IHSA Nationals in Sanbury, Ohio on May 5.

"Megan was great," Coach Stephanie Andreottola said. "The horse she drew was named Winslow, a hunter. Hunters have different head carriages and are ridden with loose contact." Coach Andreottola's strategy for Megan was perfect: she had her schooling on hunters from her barn in the week before Zones.

"At Zones, Megan's first ride was perfect," Coach Andreottola commented. "She got called back with the finalists and had to switch horses. She was put on an Arab-Warmblood cross which was very different from her first ride. Meg likes a challenge and once more she rode perfectly...an example of how it should be done. She is such a competitor."

Megan had support at the show, which was held at Stonleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, MA. Her parents, her Aunt and team members came to cheer her victory.

In addition to Megan, senior Caitlyn Pilch represented EC at the show. Caitlyn finished her undergraduate riding career by earning a respectable Fifth in Novice Flat. As did Megan, Caitlyn had to qualify at Regionals to get to Zones.