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Tartan Equestrian Wins Second Consecutive OCIEL Overall School Championship
St. Margaret's had a tremendous year in competition.
The St. Margaret's Episcopal School equestrian team capped off an exceptional 2025-2026 season by capturing the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League (OCIEL) Overall School Championship for the second consecutive year. After earning the first Overall School Championship in program history during the 2024-2025 season, the Tartans successfully defended their title against a field of 37 schools from across Southern California.
The Tartans secured the league title through strong performances across multiple divisions and age groups, demonstrating the depth and strength of a program that includes riders from Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.
In addition to repeating as Overall School Champion, St. Margaret's was named Champion in the Freshman School Division and Reserve Champion in the Beginner School Division.
The OCIEL season features competition in equitation and jumping divisions for riders of varying experience levels. Schools earn points through both individual and team performances, making contributions across all divisions critical to overall success.
To celebrate the season, the team gathered in May for its annual end-of-year team dinner. The event recognized the accomplishments of the riders and provided an opportunity to celebrate the team's second consecutive league championship.
"I am so proud of our Tartan athletes for the hard work, dedication, and grit they have shown throughout the season," said Tartan equestrian team coordinator Abby Illenberger. "This team accomplished something special this year, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch our riders support one another while competing at such a high level."
The celebration also marked a special farewell to senior Bella Coveyou, whose leadership and success have helped shape the Tartan Equestrian program during her four years at St. Margaret's. Bella concluded her Tartan Equestrian career by capturing the Varsity Jumpers Championship and helping lead the Tartans to back-to-back OCIEL Overall School Championships. This fall, she will attend Harvey Mudd College to study engineering and plans to continue competing as a member of the Claremont Colleges Equestrian Team.
The Tartans' exceptional year included:
The Tartan Equestrian Team remains the only St. Margaret's athletic program that brings together students from Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School on one competitive team. The program's back-to-back OCIEL Overall School Championships, the first two overall league titles in school history, reflect the dedication of its riders, coaches, horses, and families and underscore the continued strength of equestrian athletics at St. Margaret's.
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The Tartans secured the league title through strong performances across multiple divisions and age groups, demonstrating the depth and strength of a program that includes riders from Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.
In addition to repeating as Overall School Champion, St. Margaret's was named Champion in the Freshman School Division and Reserve Champion in the Beginner School Division.
The OCIEL season features competition in equitation and jumping divisions for riders of varying experience levels. Schools earn points through both individual and team performances, making contributions across all divisions critical to overall success.
To celebrate the season, the team gathered in May for its annual end-of-year team dinner. The event recognized the accomplishments of the riders and provided an opportunity to celebrate the team's second consecutive league championship.
"I am so proud of our Tartan athletes for the hard work, dedication, and grit they have shown throughout the season," said Tartan equestrian team coordinator Abby Illenberger. "This team accomplished something special this year, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch our riders support one another while competing at such a high level."
The celebration also marked a special farewell to senior Bella Coveyou, whose leadership and success have helped shape the Tartan Equestrian program during her four years at St. Margaret's. Bella concluded her Tartan Equestrian career by capturing the Varsity Jumpers Championship and helping lead the Tartans to back-to-back OCIEL Overall School Championships. This fall, she will attend Harvey Mudd College to study engineering and plans to continue competing as a member of the Claremont Colleges Equestrian Team.
The Tartans' exceptional year included:
- Overall School Champion for the second consecutive OCIEL season
- Freshman School Division Champion
- Beginner School Division Reserve Champion
- Team Captain Bella Coveyou named Varsity Jumpers Champion
- Team Co-Captain Charlotte Coveyou named Junior Varsity Jumpers Reserve Champion
- Mia Zadjmool named Freshman Equitation Reserve Champion
- Eleanora Dornin named Freshman Jumpers Reserve Champion
The Tartan Equestrian Team remains the only St. Margaret's athletic program that brings together students from Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School on one competitive team. The program's back-to-back OCIEL Overall School Championships, the first two overall league titles in school history, reflect the dedication of its riders, coaches, horses, and families and underscore the continued strength of equestrian athletics at St. Margaret's.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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