MILL SPRING, N.C. -- Saturday was the second day of competition at IHSA Nationals for the Mount Holyoke hunt seat riding team, and the competition was in full swing at Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Starting off the day was sophomore Carly Bitler (Seymour, Ill.) in Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences. Bitler drew Gigi, provided by Skidmore College, and laid down a very strong round. Bitler scored a 79, which earned her an eighth-place finish and added two points to Mount Holyoke's total score.

Next up, first-year Emi Graf (Belmont, Mass.) entered the ring for Team Limit Equitation Over Fences. Graf laid down a lovely course on Quinn, provided by SCAD, and scored an 82. She was then called back for additional testing, which included sitting trot, simple changes down a long side and a shortened course with a trot fence. Emi Graf was awarded fourth place for her ride, and contributed six points to MHC's score.

Senior Megan Bliamptis (Lexington, Mass.) was in the ring for Individual Introductory Equitation. She rode Warner from Albion College and earned an Honorable Mention among the top 16 riders in the division in the country.

Another Introductory Equitation class followed, this time with senior Zhuohan Shen (Shanghai, China) representing the team. Shen rode a big grey mare named Grace and earned an Honorable Mention.

Rounding out MHC's classes for the day was first-year Bessie Huggins (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) in Team Novice Equitation. Huggins had a beautiful ride on Brady, provided by Skidmore College. Huggins survived the "sudden death" round of cuts, finishing sixth and earning four points.

Mount Holyoke enters the final day of IHSA Nationals tied with Sacred Heart for fifth place among 16 competing teams, with 20 points.

-- Reporting by Cate Bates