Story Links 2025 Championship Hub FOREST, Va. — The second season of ODAC single discipline equestrian comes to a close this week with the conference championships hosted by the University of Lynchburg. On the eve of that event beginning on Thursday, the ODAC announces its second annual All-ODAC Single Discipline Awards.Belcastro, a senior from Mechanicsville, Va., […]
FOREST, Va. — The second season of ODAC single discipline equestrian comes to a close this week with the conference championships hosted by the University of Lynchburg. On the eve of that event beginning on Thursday, the ODAC announces its second annual All-ODAC Single Discipline Awards.Belcastro, a senior from Mechanicsville, Va., already claimed ODAC Rider of the Year accolades from the conference’s traditional championship last week at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. She is now the recipient of the first two ODAC fences top rider awards. Belcastro has competed 10 times so far this season, posting a 7-3 overall record and an average score of 84.0. She earned two Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) awards and posted an average margin of victory of 4.9 points. She is well positioned for possible All-American with an adjusted National Rider Score (NRS) of 94.9.Metzler, a senior from Boulder, Colo., has enjoyed a banner campaign with a lofty adjusted NRS of 104.9 powered by an 11-0 record on the flat this season. Six of those wins have come on home soil, where she will have a shot to increase that total in the upcoming ODAC tournament. Metlzer has earned four MOP honors with an average score of 81.3 and a win margin of 8.6 points.All three ODAC first-year riding award winners have made major impacts on their competing programs. Nelson-Snyder, a native of The Plains, Va., owns a 4-1 record in her five competing opportunities over fences. She has claimed one MOP and boasts an 80.8 average score with a high of 86. She currently features an 85.8 NRS. Wright, from Brewster, N.Y., joins Lynchburg’s Belcastro as an All-ODAC rider from the league’s traditional championship. Wright is 5-2-1 in single-discipline flat competition with two MOP honors and an average score of 75.8 and a high of 85. Her adjusted NRS rating is currently 83.3. Hailing from McLean, Va., Boehm is 4-4-1 in nine outings on the flat. Twice she was named MOP with an average score of 78.0 and a high of 87. Her adjusted NRS stands at 80.4.
Equestrian has long been part of the conference’s framework with several schools featuring national caliber programs. The addition of single discipline competition — head-to-head matchups under NCEA guidelines — has furthered the league’s sponsoring and showcasing of the sport in an exciting manner.Lynchburg star Fallyn Belcastro collects her second ODAC top rider award in as many weeks as she claims her second straight Fences Rider of the Year distinction. Hornets teammate Lucy Metzler garnered Flat Rider of the Year laurels. Sewanee’s Piper Nelson-Snyder received Fences Rookie of the Year recognition, while Bridgewater College’s Willow Wright and Sewanee’s Irene Boehm tied for Flat Rookie of the Year plaudits following a vote of the ODAC’s head coaches.Competition in the second league championship is slated for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 27-30, at second-seeded Lynchburg’s facility in Rustburg. The bracket-style event features five teams with Bridgewater, Lynchburg, Sewanee, and Sweet Briar joining the Hornets at the Lynchburg Equestrian Center. For more information on the event, visit the championship hub.
