Equestrian Advances To ECAC Championship Win Over Sacred Heart

Friday, March 20

Charleston, S.C.

10:00 AM

Dartmouth College

Sacred Heart

Equestrian Advances To ECAC Championship Win Over Sacred Heart

3/20/2026 8:26:00 PM | Equestrian

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- The Dartmouth College equestrian team defeated Sacred Heart University 6-3-1 to advance to tomorrow's ECAC conference final in Charleston, South Carolina.

In the first half, Kileigh Van Ness '28, Grace Russo '29, and Lucinda Exner '29 all won their head-to-head matchups (79-77, 71-70, 76-65) to give the Big Green a 3-2 lead. 

"Amazing rides all around," said Head Coach Tenley Walsh. "Kileigh had a career day, Grace is so reliable and so consistent, and Lucy's double-digit win was really big for us to get a raw score lead and momentum headed into the jumping."

After Van Ness and Sacred Heart's Kylie Hwalek tied over fences to start the second half, raw score became a non-factor with the meet shifting to a best-of-nine contest.

Russo helped the Big Green split the next two rounds with her 81-50 victory, forcing Sacred Heart to win the last two to move on. But Cassidy Exner secured the team win, edging her opponent 87-85, and Camilla Jerng '29 ended the day with an 86-69 win, good for the meet's Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) over fences.

"Cassidy's our captain. That's what captains do," said Walsh. "And Camilla followed up with her best round of the year right behind her, so she was there to pick her up if needed. That's what we do." 

The team will take on Centenary University on Saturday, Mar. 21 at 10:00 am with the conference title on the line. 

"I am so proud of this team. Everyone contributed to today's win, and it was great to see the team working together and supporting one another" said Walsh.