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Juniata Equestrian Secures Third in Region, Sends Riders to Zone Finals
(Posted March 30, 2026)
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Juniata College’s Equestrian team, from the left, sophomore Camden Lapp ’28, Gabby Iezzi ’27, Co-captain Kara Scotti ’26, Eve Fenstermaker ’27, Shania Lunsford ’26, Co-captain Alexa Viands ’26, Kiley Masser ’29, Lynden Beinhauer ’28, Coach Haley Campbell, Ava Shaw ’28, and Addy Bert ’27, celebrated winning High Point Champion Team at the last regular show of the season on March 21, at Grier School in Birmingham, Pa.
Juniata College’s Equestrian team, from the left, sophomore Camden Lapp ’28, Gabby Iezzi ’27, Co-captain Kara Scotti ’26, Eve Fenstermaker ’27, Shania Lunsford ’26, Co-captain Alexa Viands ’26, Kiley Masser ’29, Lynden Beinhauer ’28, Coach Haley Campbell, Ava Shaw ’28, and Addy Bert ’27, celebrated winning High Point Champion Team at the last regular show of the season on March 21, at Grier School in Birmingham, Pa.
HUNTINGDON, Pa. — The Juniata College Equestrian Team concluded an exceptional season with standout performances at their final regular season show and Regional Finals, securing the team’s place among the top regional Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) competitors.
Juniata’s team, coached by Haley Campbell of Fox Run Riding, Huntingdon, Pa., finished third overall within Zone 3, Region 1, a reflection of the consistent excellence and dedication displayed throughout the year.
At the final show of the regular season held on March 21 at Grier School in Birmingham, Pa., Juniata earned High Point Champion Team honors, surpassing the region’s top-ranked squads, Penn State University Main Campus and Dickinson College. The team celebrated seven top-three individual finishes, including four first-place wins.
Future team co-captain Ava Shaw ’28 of Hollidaysburg, Pa., won High Point Champion rider, after winning double first places in both of her classes and going uncontested for the title. Juniata College President James Troha attended the show and cheered on the riders as they achieved multiple first-place finishes.
Five of Juniata’s riders, Shaw, co-captain Kara Scotti ’26 of Hunterdon, NJ, Lynden Beinhauer ’28 of Ellwood City, Pa., co-captain Alexa Viands ’26 of Shrewsbury, Pa., and Eve Fenstermaker ’27 of Lebanon, Pa., qualified to compete across six classes in the Regional Finals held on March 22, at Grier School. Shaw, the team’s future captain, took second place in the Limit Over Fences class and placed seventh in Limit Flat class. Scotti won second place in Open Flat class; Beinhauer ’28 earned third place in Introductory Flat class; and Viands and Fenstermaker each took honorable mentions in Novice class.
Nominated by her coach, future team co-captain Gabby Iezzi ’27 of Jeannette, Pa., received the Regional Sportsmanship Award, the region’s highest honor.
"Gabby exemplifies the true spirit of IHSA sportsmanship in every sense of the word. She represents the very best of IHSA: dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and unwavering sportsmanship,” said Campbell. “She lifts up those around her, leads by example, and approaches every ride and every challenge with heart."
Both Shaw and Scotti have qualified to move on to competition at Zone Finals, which will be held on Saturday, April 4, at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.