Jake Bowman of Findlay (left, with oilers Head Coach Cindy Morehead) won every class he took part in at 2005 IHSA Nationals except the two team open divisions, where he placed fifth in reining and second on the rail.

2005 STOCK SEAT TEAM COMPETITION GOES DOWN TO THE LAST PLACING

Sunbury, OH - Headed into 2005 IHSA Nationals, Texas A & M had won or shared the IHSA stock seat National Championship each of the past three seasons. 2004 marked the first outright National Championship for the aggies, who also tied for the title with Colorado State back in 1994. Since a western National Champion was first crowned in the late 1970's, the record for most consecutive Stock Seat National Championships (including ties) was shared by the 1991-93 Ohio State buckeyes (who did not finish in a tie any of those seasons) and Texas A & M from 2002-04. If the aggies could win or tie, a new record would be set.

Fifteen teams had other ideas. Ohio State was back for the eighteenth year in a row, hoping for an eighth National Championship, and the chance to celebrate only a half-hour from campus; Kansas State, formerly in the same region with Texas A & M until 2002 realignment, returning to Nationals with a western team for the first time in two seasons; University of Nebraska at Lincoln, making their first appearance as a team since 2000, with former Kansas State AQHA Trophy rider Erin Peery entered in both team open divisions; Middle Tennessee State, the hosts at both 2003 and 2004 Nationals, hoping for a performance worthy of their 2003 effort, which left the blue raiders only two points from Texas A & M and West Texas A & M; College of Southern Idaho, at Nationals with a western team for the sixth season in a row and the last time under Head Coach Curt Fuller, who announced earlier in the season that he would be stepping down for personal reasons; Berry College, for once without an english team but with western, hoping to improve on the shutout they incurred in '04; Fresno State, second to Texas A & M last season, with only one rider in the team competition back from the 2004 24-point Reserve Nationals performance; New Mexico State, now with varsity status, trying to win their third-ever stock seat team National Championship; Saint Mary of the Woods College, with a full team for the third season in a row, hoping to avert a third consecutive shutout; The University of Maryland, with a full team for the fifth year in a row, hoping to score their first team points ever; Morrisville State College, with five riders back from last year's team competition; Cazenovia College, which had outscored Zone 2 rival Morrisville at each of the previous two Nationals; Delaware Valley College, the only team in the 2005 competition with no Stock Seat Team appearance ever before; Oklahoma State, runner-up to Texas A & M during the regular season in Zone 7, Region 2 but allowed to compete due to the large number of western riders in Zone 7 overall, and the University of Findlay, not as nearby as Ohio State, but certainly with the second-shortest commute. The oilers in fact supplied the majority of western horses to the 2005 National show. Would the familiarity bring them good luck?

2005 Nationals actually started on May 5th, but for stock seat riders and their fans the classes that meant something began on May 6th, the first day of western competition. The seventh of twelve classes that Friday afternoon was team novice western horsemanship, a division formed by the IHSA only 20 months earlier and the first stock seat team class of the show. Riders in each of the western divisions save for Reining must enter the ring, execute the judges' commands of walk-jog-lope-reverse-walk-jog-lope, line up along the wall, take their turn executing the posted pattern, line up again and wait for their placing. Though all riders showing at 2005 Nationals received a participation ribbon upon registration, only the top six of the sixteen riders in each team class earned a placing and points for their team. Oklahama State senior Lindsey Welsh, who was one of four members of the 2004-05 cowgirl team to come from Stillwater, Oklahoma (where the school itself is located) earned sixth place. Angela "Angie" Cameron, who had been fourth a year ago in team intermediate western, got Southern Idaho on the board with a fifth. Claire Adian of Texas A & M had also ridden in that same 2004 team intermediate fences class, and like Cameron dropped down one placing in the more difficult novice division with a fourth (Adian had ridden in team intermediate western in 2003 as well, having placed second at that time). Morrisville State had gone scoreless in 2004; senior Diane Sbiroli made sure that did not happen this time by placing third. Christina 'Tina' Berry, a Findlay sophomore from Arvada, Colorado, took the reserve ribbon. The lone Fresno State rider to compete in both the 2004 and 2005 stock seat team competitions got the bulldogs out to the early lead. Kayla Merritt, a senior from Quartz Hill, California won the division, and ironically had won the team intermediate western last season. Merritt would become the only stock seat rider at 2005 Nationals to win both a team class and an individual class, topping the individual intermediate western field two classes later.

The twelfth and final class of the Friday session was the second stock seat team division, the open reining pattern. Five of the sixteen riders entered had competed in the same class a year earlier, and one rider, Texas A & M senior Katie Forest, had ridden in the division in '03 as well. Each of the sixteen riders took their turn, doing their best not to overspin or to overslide a cone. After all sixteen riders had shown, judges Bonnie Jo Clay and Ed Dingledine invited back Jake Burger of Morrisville State College and Brandi Vogel of Kansas State for a ride-off. Following their tests the results were announced at roughly 7:45PM Eastern Time (the earliest end to Friday IHSA Nationals classes since 1998, and on that occasion only seven classes had taken place).

Sixth place went to Oklahoma State sophomore Katie Bohr, who would go on to place fifth in individual open reining two days later. Findlay senior Jake Bowman, described by former Miami of Ohio Head Coach Jim Arrigon as 'One of the greatest reiners I have ever seen' was surprisingly fifth. This would be the only low point of the show for Bowman, who would win every open class between this moment and the final team class on Sunday. When combined with Tina Berry's five points from the previous team class Findlay was still in good shape with seven points. Fourth went to the leading open rider in Zone 6, Region 1 for the 2004-05 season in Ohio State's Ashley Kovar. The buckeyes had the top six open riders in that region for this season, and Kovar's three points gave hope for an eighth National Championship in Columbus. Third went to Forest, who has proved to be a money rider for the aggies in this division. Forest placed second in the division in '03 and fourth last season. The ride-off earlier could only mean that either Vogel or Burger was going to win, and that the other would be reserve. Vogel, a senior from Lenexa, Kansas, who as a freshman had won the individual advanced western at 2002 Nationals in Cazenovia, New York, came in second in her final IHSA undergraduate ride. Burger, a senior from Niskayuna, New York, had won the first battle of the two Jakes and had beaten out two Katies as well. Morrisville State College, known through 2003 Nationals as the State University of New York at Morrisville, had eleven points and a four-point lead on both Fresno State and Findlay and a six point lead over Kansas State after one day of western. Could the annual contenders from Upstate New York finally take home the big prize?

Not unlike the Friday session, Saturday began with four hunter seat classes, which concluded the entire english portion of 2005 IHSA Nationals. From that point on the show was strictly western, with two stock seat team classes on the Saturday schedule. Though the division is the last step before classing into open, the team advanced western horsemanship featured only three riders who had participated in an IHSA Nationals class prior to 2005. Lauren Vile of Delaware Valley College, who had scored three points for the aggies (same nickname as Texas A & M and New Mexico State) in team advanced walk-trot-canter during the hunter seat competition, earned only the second team point for a Zone 3 stock seat team since western was introduced in 1998 with a sixth. University of Findlay sophomore Kathryn "Katie" Polachek kept the oilers in the ribbons through each of the first three classes with a fifth. Staci Vaughn of Cazenovia College could make the unique claim that she rode in team intermediate western in 2004, then rode in a team class at the following Nationals show two levels higher! Vaughn had been fifth a year ago in team intermediate, then skipped right over novice and placed fourth in advanced this season, getting the wildcats on the scoreboard in the process. Christine Sceets, a Texas A & M sophomore from Baytown, Texas, brought the aggie team total to eleven with a third. The official Oklahama State web site claims that sophomore Elizabeth Moe was once a New York Congress Horsemanship semi-finalist and a member of the big nine conference basketball team. Add to that list the reserve champion of team advanced western at 2005 IHSA Nationals. The cowgirls now had at least one point in each division, with Moe's effort the best of the three rides with a second.

Kansas State freshman Samantha Titus holds up her first place ribbon. Titus was the only freshman - stock seat or hunter seat - to win a team class at 2005 IHSA Nationals, taking the blue ribbon in team advanced western.

Up to this point Kansas State had never held the lead at any time during an IHSA National show. Freshman Samantha Titus re-wrote the K-State history books by earning the blue ribbon, moving the wildcats (same nickname as Cazenovia) one point ahead of Morrisville and Texas A & M with twelve points overall. A freshman from Pawnee Rock, Kansas, Titus became only the second wildcat rider ever to win a team class at IHSA Nationals. With three classes to go Kansas State had twelve, Texas A & M and Morrisville State eleven, Findlay nine, and both Fresno State and Oklahoma State had seven. One sensed that anything could still happen, perhaps even a big comeback by one of the teams more than seven behind at the moment.

Following individual open western, team beginner western horsemanship took place. For quite some time this division was a precurser to who would win the Stock Seat National Championship, as the team with a blue ribbon in this division won or tied for the title 1996-98, 2000-01 and 2003. The division features riders who had little or no riding experience before the 2004-05 school year, and as such should be the hardest division to predict. In spite of having to train a rider from scratch, many of the beginners who place highest tend to be from the bigger IHSA stock seat programs, which says something very positive about the quality of coaching at these programs.

Following what were some nice patterns from the beginners the placings were announced. Kansas State sophomore Gina Remus earned the wildcat's thirteenth point with a sixth while New Mexico State got on the board via junior Nicole Peck's fifth. The Texas A & M roster was 51 riders strong in 2004-05, but only six members of the entire team rode both english and western. Katrina McLeod is one of those six, and the freshman from Rockport, Texas followed up her third in team beginner walk-trot in the english team competition a day earlier with a fourth in team beginner western here. Laryn Burns boosted Oklahoma State to eleven points overall, as the senior from Stillwater earned the yellow ribbon. Like McLeod, Burns also rode in an english class earlier in the show, placing fifth in individual walk-trot. Like Oklahoma State and Texas A & M, Findlay remained in the ribbons through every division thus far, as freshman Corey Stulpin earned the second red ribbon in the team competition for the oilers.

Fresno State sophomore Heather Billings signs for her trophy following the team beginner western division. Billings won the only division that does not require riders to lope, moving Fresno State into a tie for first place at the time.

Fresno State, runners-up a year ago, desperately needed a big ride from sophomore Heather Billings. The Squaw Valley, California resident did not disappoint, winning the blue ribbon her first time out at IHSA Nationals. As close as the contest had been before the division, the standings were now even closer. Fresno State, Texas A & M and Findlay finished the day tied for first, each with fourteen points. Kansas State was a point back with thirteen while Oklahoma State and Morrisville State each had eleven. With no team over fourteen points, technically all five schools currently sitting at zero still had a chance to tie for the championship, provided none of the leaders earned any more.

It should be noted that in between the various team classes Bowman was making a name for himself. The senior from Dayton, Ohio won the individual open western held between team advanced and team beginner, and ended the Saturday session by winning the AQHA Cup, awarded to the stock seat open rider who is judged to be best in the division within the IHSA for the entire season. Bowman beat out twenty riders in the class for the honor. Though these wins were only on an individual basis, they no doubt fostered a positive feeling within the Findlay ranks, which would prove vital come Sunday morning.

Six stock seat classes were on the itinerary for Sunday, May 8th. Four classes were of an individual nature, while the remaining two would determine the new National Champion Team (or Teams). Following individual advanced western at the beginning of the day, team intermediate western took place. Each of the riders who placed inside the top six was making their IHSA Nationals debut. Kansas State sophomore Sarah Coomes temporarily put the wildcats in a tie for first with a sixth. Morrisville State had sat at eleven points for a while. Trisha Crossley extended the total to thirteen with a fifth. Sierra Daniels became the first Fresno State rider to earn points without placing first, as the sophomore from Oakley, California was fourth. New Mexico State sophomore Kate Dorman was third, raising the aggie's point total to six. Findlay proceeded to jump over Fresno State, as announcer Keith Bradley called out Melissa Baad's name as reserve. A sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio, Baad became the third oiler rider to earn a red ribbon.

In 2003 they tied for an IHSA National Championship without benefit of a blue ribbon. Texas A & M sophomore Kate Toomey (on horse) won the team intermediate western division at 2005 IHSA Nationals, but would it be enough for the aggies to hold on?

Findlay's lead, like Fresno State's, lasted only a matter of seconds. Bradley announced Texas A & M's Kate Toomey as the winner. The sophomore from Lake Oswego, Oregon added seven points to the aggie team total. Texas A & M held their first outright lead of 2005 Nationals, with twenty-one being two more than Findlay's nineteen. Fresno State was still very much alive with seventeen, while Kansas State would need a first in the final division and some help to end up in a tie. For everyone else, it was just a matter of 'Do the best you can.'

Three individual classes took place between intermediate and open, the most noteworthy of which was the individual open reining, sponsored by the National Reining Horse Association. Bowman won that division as well, giving him three blue ribbons in four classes up to that point. Six of the riders from the NRHA reining division were common to the team open western, and five other riders in the latter had ridden at a previous IHSA Nationals show. In fact eight of the riders from team open reining two days earlier were back for another go, including Bowman and Forest.

This 'experienced' group of riders took their turns going through the pattern. It was clear that Bowman had again turned in a tremendous performance, but would it be enough to give Findlay the lead or a tie? Eventually the final class of 2005 IHSA Nationals was completed and the results were announced. In sixth place was Chirstina Ecker, a sophomore and AQHA Cup participant (seventh in the nation this season) who got Saint Mary of the Woods on the scoreboard with a point. Fifth place went to Burger, raising the Morrisville point total to fifteen, the mustangs' best scoring performance since reaching that same number in 1999. Fourth went to Stephanie Patterson, a sophomore at the College of Southern Idaho. Patterson tallied the final golden eagle points under Coach Fuller, bringing the team total to five. Each placing caused more drama, for riders on Texas A & M, Findlay, Fresno State and Kansas State had yet to hear their names called. Third place went to Ashley Kremer of Ohio State (who had been the final rider to go through the pattern and truly have the last ride of the 2005 season - Editor), giving the buckeyes seven points overall and creating more anxiety for the four teams who still had a chance to win it. Bradley then announced reserve...

"In second place, number 146, Jacob Bowman of the University of Findlay."

The Findlay team applauded but seemed hesitant to celebrate anything. The Texas A & M faithful were on the edge of their seats. They knew that if Forest won, the championship was theirs. If not, the oilers winning streak had come to an end. Bradley then announced the awards the winner of the class would receive. Then he revealed the placing...

"The 2005 Champion in the AQHA Open Western Horsemanship division, number 400, Erin Peery of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln."

The small contingent from Lincoln let out a hoot and a hollar, but otherwise it was the quietest reaction to a team placing all day. The Texas A & M riders realized what had happened, but the Findlay team had not! This writer went over to Bowman and others to offer congratulations. Bowman reacted by saying "We Won?" and then suddenly the whole oiler team started making more and more noise as they slowly realized the championship was theirs.

The 2005 IHSA National Champion Stock Seat Team, the Findlay oilers. It was the first time winning it all for the oiler riders pictured, however Coaches Steve Brown (far left), Clark Bradley (next to Brown) and Cindy Morehead (next to Bradley) had guided Findlay to a championship in 2001.

The presentation of ribbons to each stock team followed. Nebraska, by virtue of Peery's ride, climbed from a goose egg all the way to a tie for seventh with Ohio State. In unusual fashion, there were no ties about seventh place. Sixth went to Oklahoma State, fifth to Kansas State, fourth to Morrisville, third to Fresno, reserve to Texas A & M (which had scored fewer than 21 points and earned a tie for the championship on two previous occasions) and first to Findlay. Ironically the oilers may have set a record, becoming the first stock seat team to win the IHSA National Championship outright without earning any blue ribbons in team classes. Like Roger Maris hitting 61 home runs in more than 154 games, there should probably be an asterisk next to this record, as only this season and last have there been six divisions (five divisions from the 80's until 2003), with novice western now two years old. Still, the oilers earned points in every division, with four of the ribbons being reserve. Earning points at Nationals is something Findlay does almost as well as Texas A & M over the past seven seasons, as the oilers have broken double digits at every National show they competed in since 1999 (11 in 1999, 15 in 2000, 21 in 2001, winning the National Championship, 15 in 2002, 12 in 2004 and a school record 24 this season). Will it be the same at Harrisburg in May 2006? Who knows, but if the end of next year's National show is going to be as good as this one was, then the IHSA ought to set up turnstiles at the entrances and charge admission!

---Steve Maxwell

The Stock Seat Team Class-by-Class Results. The first two classes listed were held Friday, May 6nd, the next two were held Saturday, May 7th and the final two were held Sunday, May 8th. The judges for all stock seat classes were Bonnie Jo Clay and Ed Dingledine:

Team novice western horsemanship: 1. Kayla Merritt, Fresno State. 2. Christina Berry, University of Findlay. 3. Diane Sbiroli, Morrisville State College. 4. Claire Adian, Texas A & M University. 5. Angie Cameron, College of Southern Idaho. 6. Lindsey Welsh, Oklahoma State University.

Team open reining: 1. Jake Burger, Morrisville State College. 2. Brandi Vogel, Kansas State University. 3. Katie Forest, Texas A & M University. 4. Ashley Kovar, Ohio State University. 5. Jake Bowman, University of Findlay. 6. Katie Bohr, Oklahoma State University.

Team advanced western horsemanship: 1. Samantha Titus, Kansas State University. 2. Elizabeth Moe, Oklahoma State University. 3. Christine Sceets, Texas A & M University. 4. Staci Vaughn, Cazenovia College. 5. Kathryn Polachek, University of Findlay. 6. Lauren Vile, Delaware Valley College.

Team beginner western horsemanship: 1. Heather Billings, Fresno State. 2. Corey Stulpin, University of Findlay. 3. Laryn Burns, Oklahoma State University. 4. Katrina McLeod, Texas A & M University. 5. Nicole Peck, New Mexico State University. 6. Gina Remus, Kansas State University.

Team intermediate western horsemanship: 1. Kate Toomey, Texas A & M University. 2. Melissa Baad, University of Findlay. 3. Katie Dorman, New Mexico State University. 4. Sierra Daniels, Fresno State. 5. Trisha Crossley, Morrisville State College. 6. Sarah Coomes, Kansas State University.

Team open western horsemanship: 1. Erin Peery, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 2. Jake Bowman, University of Findlay. 3. Ashley Kremer, Ohio State University. 4. Stephanie Patterson, College of Southern Idaho. 5. Jake Burger, Morrisville State College. 6. Christina Ecker, Saint Mary of the Woods College.

2005 IHSA Nationals Stock Seat Team Totals: