FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Three members of the Sacred Heart equestrian team have earned Ariat NCEA All-America recognition. Kylie Hwalek and Rebecca Skelton were each selected to the fences second team, while Emma Grimes was named second team in flat. 
 
The trio has helped the Pioneers to another very successful season. Sacred Heart captured the Zone II Region IV championship and earned a spot in the IHSA National Championship, set for May 2-4 at Tryon International in North Carolina.    
 
Earlier this spring, all three earned All-ECAC honors following the ECAC SD Championship. 
 
At the Zone 2 Region 4 Championship, Hwalek was the Champion Open Rider which qualifies her for the Cacchione Cup. 
 
The top five riders per event were selected and named the Ariat First-Team All-America by the NCEA Selection Committee. The next five riders per event earned Second Team honors. Honorable Mention honorees were selected via the established criteria below. 
  
There is no limit on how many riders receive this award, provided they meet the following criteria: 
·       Must have a 67 percent or higher winning percentage, excluding ties 
·       Must have competed in a minimum of 67% of team's NCEA qualifying regular season meets as defined in the rule book 
·       Have at least an adjusted NRS score of: 
             o   85 for flat 
             o   90 for fences 
             o   80 for horsemanship 
             o   75 for reining