ECAC announces Driver of the Month for November
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the Riders of the Week for the month of October.
Double discipline
Fences: Chloe Fares – UC Davis
Sophomore Chloe Fares delivered consistently in fences for UC Davis this month, posting point-winning drives in all three meetings. She earned her first point against Delaware State with an 82 aboard Cici, then picked up MOP honors with an 86 on Salty against UT Martin — beating her opponent by 20 points — and earned the team's second point, helping the Aggies claim event victory in both meets. Fares also posted the highest score in fences with an 83 aboard Otis against Oklahoma State, securing the second point for UC Davis. Her consistent performance, ability to score under pressure and recognition as ECAC Driver of the Week following doubleheader weekend wins at Delaware make her one of the conference's top Fences drivers of the month.
Apartment: Anna Donovan – UC Davis (pictured)
Sophomore Anna Donovan was the star of UC Davis' flat lineup this month, picking up points with strong, consistent performances in all three meets. She opened against Delaware State with an 80 aboard Dude, contributing to the team's 4-1 victory and outscoring her opponent by 18 points. She then scored an 83 on Peter against UT Martin and another 83 on Calvigo – beating her opponent by 14 points – against Oklahoma State, securing the highest score of the event and helping the Aggies to two more event victories. Donovan's polished riding and ability to deliver in key moments make her one of the standout flat riders of this month's conference.
Horsemanship: Eliza Plum – UC Davis
Sophomore Eliza Plum delivered accurate, high-scoring rides in horsemanship throughout the month, contributing points in two of three competitions. She opened with a point-winning ride of 66.5 aboard Cinch against Delaware State, tying the event at 2-2. She then earned MOP honors with a 75 at Brady against UT Martin, helping the Aggies win the event. Plum narrowly missed another point against Oklahoma State with a 74 aboard Penny in a close finish to her opponent's 75. Her consistent performance, competitiveness and recognition as ECAC Rider of the Week following wins on the Delaware doubleheader weekend make her one of the conference's top horsemanship riders of the month.
Reining:
Senior Mya Clader provided steady, decisive performances in Reining this month, contributing in two of three meets. She earned UC Davis' only point against Delaware State with a 65 aboard Aspen, then posted a 70.5 MOP on Delta against UT Martin to help the team tie the event. Clader narrowly missed a point against Oklahoma State with a 71 aboard Mr. T, securing the highest score of the event. Her experience, consistency and recognition as ECAC Driver of the Week following weekend wins in the doubleheader at Delaware make her one of the conference's top reining drivers of the month.
Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Month: Kaylynn Berry – Delaware State
Berry, a transfer from UMNC, has quickly moved into a leadership role at DSU. Her nursing major is extremely demanding, yet she still finds time to be in the stables every day. She is an important part of daily flat training, watching videos, taking notes and meeting with flat riders to help them improve their flat box knowledge and skills. Kaylynn is mature and emotionally intelligent, which leads the team to turn to her for problem-solving and encouragement. She is a coach's right hand when it comes to organizing, getting things done and setting reminders. She is the first to volunteer to come early and stay late when a horse needs special care. Kaylynn is DSU's biggest cheerleader and her positivity is contagious.
Horse of the Month: Commission – UC Davis – Flat – on loan from Marin Gilliland
Courtage, a valued member of the UC Davis equestrian team, was kindly donated by Marin Gilliland and has been a cornerstone of our program for years. At 21, she has competed at heights ranging from 2'3″ to 3'6, guiding riders with skill and consistency. Courtage gave her rider an 81 and a win in her final ride and our only home meet of the month, continuing her tradition of excellence in the show ring. She has received multiple Flat MOP awards throughout her career and has been a sought-after draw for both fences and flat, as she has each At the end of the 2025 fall season, Courtage retired to Hawaii, where she now enjoys grazing beneath the Koolau Mountain Range and serving as a trail horse for her owner's family. Her long career, consistent performance and competitive spirit exemplify what it means to be an outstanding UC Davis riding horse.
Individual discipline
Fences: Cassidy Exner – Dartmouth College
Cassidy posted the day's highest vault score (85) and MOP against Kylie Hwalek and Sacred Heart and also won her matchup against Olivia Lonneman and Charleston by 12 points. Her 78 points were also two points below the high score of that day.
Residence: Elise Stephens – Dartmouth College
Elise won both Flat matchups in November, including a 15-point win over Samantha Aisenberg and Charleston where she was named MOP.
Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Month: Alexa Strauss – Dartmouth College
Alexa is a standout senior on the Dartmouth Equestrian team. Alexa contributed to our 3-0 start to the season, completing warm-up rides for the fences and flats at every home game this fall, including the two this month in November. She always has a positive attitude and works hard to ensure each horse is prepared for their best day. You will always see her helping with holding horses and adjusting stirrups for competitors. She also helps the meetings run smoothly by acting as a warm-up timer and helping to line up the horses and get them to the right spots. Outside the barn, Alexa has completed a rigorous course load and is involved in several nonprofit organizations.
Horse of the Month: Candy – Dartmouth College – Fences and Flat
Candy is always a competitive and popular draw for riders from both schools. She has a fun jump that makes riders smile at the end of her course. Versatile and responsive, she won an MOP on the flat (score of 89) and an MOP over fences (score of 85) this month. It gives every driver a fair chance to achieve high scores and take part in a competitive round. One of their matches this month even ended in a draw – a testament to their consistency.
ABOUT THE ECAC
The ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) is an 85-year-old organization with well over 200 member schools in all three NCAA divisions – I, II and III. The ECAC's mission is to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics events and to provide significant value to universities and colleges through sponsorship of championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the Northeast. The ECAC's esports platform is growing to include more than sixty colleges and universities, expanding the conference's geographic footprint nationally. The ECAC also sponsors competitions and leagues involving other varsity and club sports that do not fall under the auspices of the NCAA.
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