Liberty's Western equestrian team, coached by Kylie Morse (front left in white), and Hunt Seat team, coached by Suzanne Flaig (front right) with assistance from Kimberly Counts (back right. Photos by Dawnica Baker)
Equestrian teams jump into fall season with new faces and facility upgrades
9/16/2026 1:34:00 PM | Equestrian
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The Western team will make its 2026-27 debut Sept. 26 at Clemson before the Hunt Seat squad competes at nearby Sweet Briar College on Sept. 27.
Liberty University's Hunt Seat and Western equestrian teams are entering a new season with a large group of newcomers and a focus on maintaining and raising the standard of success set last season.
"We have about 50% new folks, not necessarily freshmen. Some of them transferred and are upperclassmen by credit, but they're new to us," said Head Coach Suzanne Flaig, who also serves as director of the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center.
The newcomers are spread across both the Hunt Seat and Western disciplines. Early practices have focused on getting new riders familiar with the team's daily rhythms and routines while developing strong fundamentals and proper riding positions.
"We're putting a big emphasis on being fundamentally sound, including correctness of position and the more mechanical aspects of riding," Flaig said.
The teams held tryouts during the first week of the fall semester and now have transitioned into regular practices in preparation for their season-opening Western show on Sept. 26 at Clemson (S.C.) University and Hunt Seat competition, Sept. 27 at Region 4 rival Sweet Briar College.
Flaig said not every team member will have the chance to ride in these events, but for the newcomers, they will be good opportunities to experience IHSA competition firsthand.
"Even if they're not participating, it is helpful for our new students to see the event, so they can observe, and they're more prepared mentally when their name is called to represent us." Flaig said. Hunt Seat team captains Madeleine Hammond and Sophia Battin (center) and Western team captain Alex Dixon
Leading the team this season are captains Sophia Battin, a senior, and junior Madeleine Hammond, both predominantly Hunt Seat riders, and senior Alex Dixon, who primarily rides Western but also competes in Hunt Seat.
With several new riders joining the program, the captains will be part of the leadership group helping to introduce them to the team's culture as they prepare for the rigors of the regular season.
"We're building a culture and community where that standard is upheld and embraced in everything we do, whether it's being prompt and well turned out for practice or going the extra mile in workouts," Flaig said. "That has proven to be a successful recipe, and we want to bring all of our new people into that routine."
Ayva Anderson
The team's leadership corps includes Disciple Makers Ayva Anderson, a junior, and Battin, who returns to that role from last season to help facilitate the spiritual development of the riders as individuals and a group.
Building community is one of the team's priorities as new students get to know and learn how they can support one another through participating in community service, Bible studies, team nights, and other events throughout the season.
Abby Griffith
Liberty's Equestrian program enters the season riding momentum from solid IHSA showings last spring, when the Hunt Seat squad won the Region 4 regular-season crown by the slimmest of margins and qualified as a team for the Zone 4 finals, placing third. It also sent three riders — team captain Aliyah Hardesty (ninth in Novice Flat finals), who graduated, and Battin (top-16 in Limit Flat finals) and junior Abigail Griffith (top-16 in Intermediate Fences finals), who return to compete this season — to the IHSA National Championships at Tryon International Equestrian Center's indoor complex in Mills Spring, N.C.
The program is also eager to see the benefits of a significant donation from Cliff and Jackie Pemble, parents of Anna Pemble, a Hunt Seat team captain who graduated last spring. The generous gift supplemented by additional donations will cover construction costs for a 3,040-square-foot A-frame extension to the main barn, turning it into a welcome center that will serve as the centerpiece of the equestrian program's operations on the 380-acre property.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and to be completed next fall. The teams will continue to use the facility this season as usual.
The upgrades include replacing the team's original jumping bars and standards, which have been in use since the program began in 2013-14. The new aluminum bars will allow coaches to change equipment more efficiently for different exercises, skills, and horses, while also helping to improve the experience for visitors and potential recruits. The Main Barn addition to the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center will become its Welcome Center with team rooms next fall.
Flaig said the family's donation will also provide financial assistance for students and support Liberty's mission of Training Champions for Christ through an endowed gift establishing the Pemble Equestrian Scholarship fund.
"With that endowment, we will have the opportunity to assist some of our student-riders with scholarships, which is something I'm very excited about," she said. "Beyond the capital improvements and scholarships, the donation will further support mission trips and general needs for the future."
Both teams will compete throughout the season in competitions across the region. The Western squad will travel to three main shows at Clemson and then Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., twice (Nov. 7-8 and Feb. 27-28). The Hunt Seat team will compete in eight main events, including at Christopher Newport University (Nov. 1), Randolph-Macon College (Nov. 8), the College of William & Mary (Nov. 15), and Sweet Briar (Feb. 13-14) and Randolph-Macon College (Feb. 20). The Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center will host two Hunt Seat events this year, with competitions scheduled for Oct. 31 and Feb. 27.
Flaig is looking forward to seeing both teams' progression as they demonstrate discipline in practice and poise under pressure in competition.
"So far, I am impressed," she said. "You can tell the dedication right off the bat. The students are prompt and eager, and they are where they're supposed to be on time. That's going to speak well to the effort they're going to put forth in training for this season."
