Freshman Kayla Kintner won her Introductory division event on Saturday at the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center before moving up to the Novice division for Sunday's show at CNU. (Photos by Ted Allen)
Hunt Seat equestrian team loses Region 4 lead after fourth-, fifth-place showings over weekend
11/5/2026 11:52:00 AM | Equestrian
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Liberty hosted Saturday’s Homecoming event before traveling to Christopher Newport University for a second show on Sunday.
Senior Sophia Battin placed second in Intermediate Flat and third in Intermediate Fences to lead Liberty University's Hunt Seat equestrian team in Saturday's Region 4 show at the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center over Homecoming weekend. Battin followed that with another second-place performance in Intermediate Flat in Sunday's Region 4 event held at Christopher Newport University's outdoor show arena at Foxtail Farm in Smithfield, Va.
After finishing fifth Saturday at home, Liberty tied for fourth Sunday as a team, losing its tenuous one-point lead in the Region 4 standings after winning the season-opening show at Sweet Briar College. The Vixens returned the favor at Liberty on Saturday, moving into first place in the season's point standings as the High Point team champion at that show before padding its lead by earning Reserve High Point team honors with 31 points at CNU.
Besides Battin, Liberty's Hunt Seat co-captain, the Lady Flames were highlighted Saturday by freshman Kayla Kintner, who captured a blue ribbon in the Introductory event, and senior Alex Dixon, captain of the Western team, who placed second in the Novice division. Freshman Kylie Kacinski rode to a blue ribbon finish in the Novice division Sunday in a show hosted by Christopher Newport University.
At CNU, Liberty freshman Kylie Kacinski won the Novice division while freshman Madison Ritchie, sophomore Kelley Berlin, and junior Kate Love tied for second. Kintner moved up from Introductory to the Novice division and placed third. The Lady Flames also featured red-ribbon performances from senior Keira Kraftson and freshman Sonya Kruger, who tied for second in Limit Fences.
"Freshman Kayla Kintner and Kylie Kacinski led the way, both winning a class in their division over the weekend," Liberty Head Coach Suzanne Flaig said. "Overall, we saw solid results and good progress across the board with this young team."
Liberty's Western team will travel to Virginia Tech this weekend for its third and fourth Region 4 shows before Hunt Seat returns to action at Randolph-Macon College and William & Mary next Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Lady Flames senior Alex Dixon, who serves as captain of Liberty's Western team, placed second in the Novice division Saturday at home.
