When Amanda McNally (on horse) won team intermediate western horsemanship at IHSA Nationals on May 8th it marked the sixth time in seven classes going back to last season that the University of Findlay had won a western team class. Though the Oilers had the early lead because of this, 2008 Nationals did not turn out anything like the runaway of a year ago.

TWO OHIO SCHOOLS SETTLE 2008 IHSA NATIONALS IN FINAL TEAM CLASS

Burbank, CA - Many people have a hard time forgetting the recent past. If a good riding program produces a winner year-in and year-out, that program will develop a reputation (and we mean that in a good way - Editor). People will almost come to expect that particular riding program to advance a full team to IHSA Nationals on a yearly basis, unless for example that team is not seen or heard at the National show for three or four years.

A combination of the decisions of several schools to take their riding programs NCAA/Varsity-only and the creation of IHSA Semifinals may have changed the conventional thinking process for years to come. Until recently when one talked of the elite western riding programs in the IHSA names such as Texas A & M, Oklahoma State, New Mexico State and Fresno State would be mentioned alongside frequent top three entries University of Findlay (the defending western National Champs) and Ohio State (eight times either the champion or possessing a shared title since 1991).

However each of the first four programs mentioned ended their association with the IHSA following the 2005-06 season. With their exit the IHSA was finally able to institute a revised version of the western play-offs, the Semifinal show. Inserted in place of western Zones the Semifinal (also dubbed the "Super Zone Finals" by some) serves as a "Mini-Nationals," as between six and eight regions send both individual riders and their top western team to these shows, thus making the field more competitive as fewer schools continue on to the National show.

There were two separate "Winner's Circles" at 2008 IHSA Nationals. One was on the floor of the Equidome while the other was outside the arena. Ohio State junior Keith Ceddia is seen here in the winner's circle outside the equidome after winning team open reining to give Ohio State a brief lead through two classes.

One of the more interesting aspects of the Semifinal show to this writer is exactly which regions will be sent where. The selection process has to do with a combination of distance to each of the three semifinal sites, finances, perceived quality of a specific region (or at least that region's current top western team) and keeping only so many regions from a specific zone at one site. The ultimate goal is for the top western teams to have the best chance to go forward to IHSA Nationals. With only nine full western teams moving on to Massachusetts and 2007 Nationals (as opposed to 17 teams at 2006 Nationals) conventional wisdom was that the cream had risen to the top.

However when the 2008 Semifinal breakdown of Regions was officially confirmed in January a casual observer would be inclined to think the Semifinal scheduled to take place March 29th and 30th in Canyon, Texas comprised the majority of the elite IHSA Western programs. Six of the nine regions which produced the western teams that had qualified for 2007 Nationals were sending their riders to this particular semifinal. By contrast the Semifinal in Laurinburg, North Carolina contained only one region with an '07 Nationals qualifying team. One could argue there was balance here, as the level of competition seemed equal at these two sites, but in different ways. However the goal to send the best teams forward to Nationals looked like a stretch.

The results of the Semifinal shows were a surprise to many, but not because of which schools were eliminated at the Canyon semifinal. The surprise was which teams survived from the other two sites. St. Andrews Presbyterian College, which hosted the Laurinburg semifinal at their own facility, scored 39 out of a possible 42 points to earn the widest margin of victory thus far at a Semi show. Runner-up Stanford University (which has yet to appear at a Semifinal outside the eastern time zone in two years of Semifinal competition) was second with 22 while Michigan State earned the final slot in the top three and a trip to Nationals with 18 points. This was significant for the Spartans finished ahead of Black Hawk College, which was the only western team at the Laurinburg semifinal to have competed in the 2007 IHSA Nationals team competition. At the Cazenovia, New York semifinal Ohio State, which had won their eighth National Championship since 1991 in 2006 and which was runner-up a year ago, won comfortably. While the Buckeyes scored 34 the tie for second was between two teams with one prior Nationals appearance between them. West Virginia University had competed at 2006 Nationals while Alfred University had never even won their region prior to this season. Both the Mountaineers and the Saxons scored 23 points at the Cazenovia semifinal, surprisingly finishing one point ahead of a St. Mary of the Woods team which had advanced to IHSA Nationals each of the previous five seasons.

Rounding out the field were the Canyon survivors: Oregon State University, earning third place (a point ahead of Morrisville State) with 20 points; Host West Texas A & M with 25 and defending IHSA National Champion western team the University of Findlay, which had pulled away halfway through the semifinal competition to post an impressive 35-25 win over the home team. With the likes of the University of Nebraska also eliminated at the Canyon show this meant that only five of the nine schools with a full team at 2007 Nationals would be heading to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in the same situation.

For the first time in IHSA history the four-day version of the year-end show would include some western classes on opening day. Between 2004 and 2007 the first day of Nationals (or "Thursday session" as this writer calls it) was completely made up of hunter seat classes. During those years western did not start until the fifth class on day two of the National show. The schedule would become all-western by Saturday afternoon, with day four (the final day, always a Sunday since 1979) consistantly made up of six western classes. In 2008 the sixth, eighth and tenth classes of the first day were western. Since this article focuses specifically on the IHSA Western Team Competition only the eighth class matters for the moment (separate articles on the individual western classes and individual AQHA Trophy division are in the works - Editor).

It had become dark outside when this photo was taken on May 9th. From left to right are Findlay Coaches Cindy Morehead and Clark Bradley, rider Adam D'Agostino (on horse), AQHA representative LuAnn Ulrich, Findlay Assistant Coach Jake Bowman and IHSA Founder and Executive Director Bob Cacchione. D'Agostino's win in team advanced western put Findlay back ahead through two days of showing.

The eighth class on day one was Team Intermediate Western Horsemanship. As has been the case for over two decades, each of the western team classes is sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), which also sponsors a separate award for the top western open rider each season. The class began with each rider walking his or her horse down the slopped entrance to the Equidome (a permanent covered ring with seating for 3,500 spectators) and then walking, jogging and loping until judges Laurie Krause and Scott Buckwalter asked them to line up along the side of the ring nearest the ingate. The cones were then placed in various places and each rider attempted to perform the instructed pattern. Finally after all nine riders had completed the pattern and the scores of each judge had been radioed into the announcer's booth to be calculated the first team results were ready for Kenn Marash to announce.

Sixth place went to Kellan Miller of West Virginia, only the second Mountaineer rider in program history to earn team points at Nationals. Fifth place went to St. Andrews Presbyterian College sophomore Allison Wrightenberry, who put the Knights ahead of their 2006 Nationals total of one point with the pink ribbon. Kelsey Coggiola of Alfred was fourth, providing the Saxons with their first-ever team points at an IHSA Show. Unlike the first three schools in the ribbons, Oregon State has been a frequent Nationals team entry, and it was not a surprise when Hayley McGuire put the Beavers on the board with a third. Reserve champion went to Ohio State sophomore Kayla Feltz. From Lima, Ohio Feltz had ridden in the same division a year earlier at IHSA Nationals at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts, earning a third on that occasion. The 2007 National Champion Findlay Oilers picked up where they left off a year ago, as Amanda McNally was the champion. From Lakewood, Ohio McNally is one of three freshman the Oilers would employ over the course of six team classes. Going back to last season, Findlay riders had now won six of the last seven team classes. Would the Oilers run away from the field again in '08?

The second western team class was the third class on Friday, May 9th. Team Open Reining would be the first reining class of any kind at 2008 Nationals, and considering how exciting reining classes can be the majority of spectators stopped what they were doing to pay close attention. Those who attended 2007 Nationals may recall that the surface at the Big E was more conducive to hunter seat riding, with western riders unable to perform a proper slide stop. With a different surface at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center this season the spectacular slide stops could once again be performed. One of the better slide stops came from Keith Ceddia, an Ohio State junior who was riding in his third IHSA Nationals show. Ceddia received a score of '143' from judges Krause and Buckwalter, which turned out to be the top score. One drawback of the reining classes is that the combined scores are announced after every ride, which means that unless there is a combined tie score anyone who has been writing down the scores can figure out the ribbons before they are announced. When the class was completed all nine riders were invited back to the winner's circle in the corner of the Equidome for the presentation of ribbons. Sixth place went to West Texas A & M senior Whitney Agee, who had scored a '127.' This would not be Agee's final undergraduate ride, as she would compete again the next day in individual open reining and improve slightly on this placing. Fifth place went to Kelsey Moody of St. Andrews, who had won three of a possible four classes at the Laurinburg semifinal over a month earlier. The Knights freshman earned a '127.5' score while Alfred made it two white ribbons in a row as Katie Mix was fourth. Mix's '138' score would see to it that the Saxons were third overall through two divisions once the announcements had been completed. For the first time since the team beginner western class midway through 2007 Nationals a Findlay rider did not earn the blue ribbon. Ryan Sims, a junior from Pella, Iowa earned a score of '141' to capture the yellow ribbon for the Oilers. The Reserve Championship went to Stanford's Sabrina Wilson. The freshman from San Diego, California finished a placing and a point ahead of Sims, receiving a '142' score. Ceddia was the champion, becoming the first Ohio State rider to win an IHSA Nationals team class since Angela Rospert won beginner western at 2006 Nationals, thus breaking a streak of nine winless classes in a row. The Buckeyes were now ahead of Findlay 12-11, with Alfred next with six and Stanford at five.

Joining Ulrich and Cacchione on the floor of the Equidome this time are Oregon State Head Coach Dawn Salazar and her team beginner western rider Justin Bubenik, who won the division. Bubenik was fortunate to hold onto the horse trophy after this photo was taken, as most of his female Beaver teammates showed their appreciation by attacking him at the in-gate moments later!

Nine classes later Team Advanced Western Horsemanship division ushered in the dinner hour. It should be noted that the announced results of this division were revised after the class took place. In fairness to those affected by the revised results we will mention only the final results which ultimately counted. Michigan State got on the board for the first time, as Jamie Kalleward was sixth. The senior from Belding, Michigan thus became the first Spartan rider to score a team point at IHSA Nationals since the early 1990's. West Virginia was on the board again, as Lisa Chaplin was fifth for the Mountaineers. St. Andrews ended Alfred's run of white ribbons, as Erica Hill was fourth (this in turn also ended St. Andrews' run of pink ribbons). Oregon State made a move for third place overall, as team President Adrienne Smith earned the Yellow ribbon. The top two riders in the division were also the only males in the class. West Texas A & M received reserve champion via Ryan Eberlein. A sophomore from Coos Bay, Oregon, Eberlein had suddenly given the Buffaloes five of their six points. Findlay however took a huge leap ahead of most of the field, as Adam D'Agostino was the blue ribbon winner. A junior from Fayetteville, New York, D'Agostino made the score Findlay 18, Ohio State 12, Oregon State 8, St. Andrews 7, Alfred 6, West Texas A & M 6, Stanford 5, West Virginia 3 and Michigan State 1 with half the divisions completed.

Only one western team class took place on Saturday, the 10th of May, the Beginner Western Horsemanship division. The fourth of only eight classes held that day (there was a 90 minute gap after the seventh class in order to prepare for the individual AQHA Trophy Reining Phase - Editor), beginner western was the only team division Findlay did not win in 2007. So far in the current decade riders from West Texas A & M, Ohio State (in 2004 and 2006), Findlay (in 2001 and 2002), Oregon State (Jessica Kraemer at the 2007 show) and two schools no longer competing within the IHSA have claimed blue ribbons in this division made up of riders who do not yet lope. Following the usual walk-jog routine and the subsequent pattern it was time for the placings which would make the contest two-thirds complete. Jessica Gesel of St. Andrews received the green ribbon while Rachel Hilton of West Texas A & M claimed the pink. Fourth place went to Ryan Carte of Findlay. The Carey, Ohio resident was the second of three Findlay freshman to compete thus far in the team classes, and his white ribbon assured the Oilers of the lead through three days. Aleta Daniels moved Michigan State out of last place for the moment, earning the Yellow ribbon to give the Spartans five points for the time being. The Reserve Champion was Lyndsay Nezbeth of Ohio State. From Youngstown, Ohio, Nezbeth's red ribbon kept the Buckeyes within four, with the Oilers up 21-17. For the second year in a row the division went to a Beaver. Justin Bubenik, a freshman from Happy Valley, Oregon won the class to give Oregon State a real chance to win the show outright. The Beavers now trailed Ohio State by only two and Findlay by six with two divisions yet to come.

Before she became the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Western Head Coach, Carla Wennberg (on right) was one of two Judges at 2000 IHSA Nationals in Conyers, Georgia. Wennberg is seen here during the individual AQHA Class on Saturday evening with freshman Kelsey Moody, who would win the final class of the 2007-08 season, team open western horsemanship, on May 11th.

The final day of IHSA Nationals was made up of three hunter seat team classes, two alumni western classes and two western team classes. The first of the two western team classes was the Team Novice Western Horsemanship division, which was the fifth class of the Sunday sesssion. Those who follow hunter seat were probably slightly distracted from this division, as eight english teams were separated by only seven points following the team novice flat division which was completed moments earlier. The Findlay faithful (good golly where do all their fans come from? Findlay family and friends always seem to be the largest group at IHSA Nationals from year-to-year) were the only people with a shot to see their team capture both an english and a western team championship, something which seemed very real as both the Oiler english and western teams were in the lead and had been for roughly two days. Once everyone had completed their novice western pattern the announcements were made. Sixth place went to Heather Allenby of Findlay. A sophomore from Portland, Oregon, Allenby had won the first western class of 2008 Nationals, taking the top prize in individual intermediate western three days earlier. For a short time Findlay was still ahead 22-18 but it was a fact that Ohio State was going to get points (Marash had already read aloud the names of the three riders who were outside the top six). Oregon State freshman Kaci Sintek received the pink, fifth-place ribbon, which also temporarily gave the Beavers a shot to compete for the championship. Everyone waited to see where Ohio State would place. The Buckeyes were not fourth, as West Virginia junior Ashley Clutter had that honor. They were not third, as West Texas A & M freshman Stephanie Hallgren claimed that prize. When second place was announced the bubble burst for everyone except Oregon State, Ohio State and Findlay. Charlene Kolodziej (pronounced "Cole-odd-jay") of Michigan State was second, the sophomore securing the Spartan's highest ribbon of the show with her ride. This meant the blue ribbon went to Ohio State's Hilary Bedford. The senior from Hilliard, Ohio saved her best undergraduate ride for last, moving the Buckeyes ahead of Findlay by a 24-22 score. Oregon State still had remote hope for a share of what would be their first IHSA National title, this if the Beavers won the final class, Ohio State was out of the ribbons and Findlay was no better than fifth. However knowing how talented both the Ohio State and Findlay programs are this was not a likely occurrence.

There was much hoopla in between the team novice western and team open western horsemanship. This was because the hunter seat team competition came down to the final two placings. Findlay however did not add to their hunter seat total in the final class and wound up in a three-way tie with Skidmore College and St. Lawrence University for Reserve National Champion. The Oilers now found themselves in need of a big ride in the final western class to avoid runner-up titles in both disciplines.

Team Open Western Horsemanship was the final class of the 2007-08 IHSA season. Seven of the nine riders entered in the division had already shown at some point at 2008 Nationals. Five of them were returnees from the Team Open Reining division two days earlier. One of the riders who did not compete in team open reining was Findlay freshman Katelyn "Katie" Morehead, the daughter of Oilers Western Coach Cindy Morehead and already the 2008 Individual AQHA Trophy Champion. Morehead was following in the footsteps of such Findlay legands as Travis Womer, Trevor Dare and Jake Bowman, each of whom won the Individual AQHA over the previous three seasons. If Katie Morehead could repeat her AQHA effort the Oilers would be no worse than tied for high point team.

One by one each of the nine riders entered the ring and answered the commands of walk, jog and lope. Eventually everyone lined up to have a go at the pattern. All nine riders were eventually excused and asked to return for the presentation of awards. Riders from Michigan State, Stanford and most importantly Oregon State were not in the top six, so all attention now fell on riders from the Ohio schools. Sixth place went to Errolynne Franck of West Texas A & M. A junior from Ephrata, Washington, Franck had won the individual advanced western on Thursday evening and her green ribbon here closed out the Buffaloe scoring with 13 points. Fifth place went to West Virginia's Renae Burks. A sophomore from Hillsboro, West Virginia, Burks had placed out of the ribbons in team open reining but was fourth overall in the NRHA-sponsored individual open reining, earning an invitation to 'The Derby' in Oklahoma City in late June. Though they had received points in four of the six team classes, the Mountaineers final total was eight points.

Fourth place made things very interesting. Katelyn Ritchey, a sophomore from Dublin, Ohio earned the white ribbon for Ohio State, closing out the Buckeye scoring at 27 points overall. There was considerable applause for Ritchey, but everyone knew that Findlay now needed to avoid third to secure either a tie for the title or to win it again outright.

Several members of 2008 IHSA Western National Champions Ohio State also rode on the 2006 National Champion Buckeye team. Head Coaches Ollie (second from right) and Debbie (second from left) Griffith have seen their Buckeyes win or share at least one IHSA National Championship within any four-year span since 1991.

However it was not to be for the Oilers. Third place was awarded to Morehead. The freshman from the town of Findlay, Ohio earned the yellow ribbon while the Oilers ended the show with 26 points for the reserve championship. Good news for Findlay is that Morehead has three more seasons ahead of her. Second place went to Mix, upgraded from a white ribbon in team open reining to a red one here. Alfred thus finished with eleven points in their first IHSA Nationals appearance. St. Andrews' great Zones performance was proven not to be a fluke, as Moody won the open western division to give the Knights 15 points and fourth place behind Oregon State with 17. Strangely enough Moody had to catch a plane after her ride so western Head Coach Carla Wennberg and the rest of the St. Andrews team accepted Moody's ribbon in the winner's circle on her behalf. With the likes of St. Andrews and Alfred fairing as well as they did it will be interesting to see what the field for 2009 Semifinals looks like, for now it will be much harder to figure out which teams are pretenders to the throne and which ones are established favorites.

Not too much later the awards for the top ten english and western teams were given out. For the ninth time in school history (and for the eighth time without having to share the title) Ohio State had prevailed as the IHSA Western National Champion Team. The Buckeyes also can claim to be unbeaten at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, having won their fourth title the only other time Nationals were held on the West Coast in 1996. Caught up in the duties of taking pictures of all the teams with their school banners at the end of the show, this writer forgot to ask Ohio State Coach Ollie Griffith his thoughts on the proceedings. Several weeks later this writer e-mailed Coach Griffith to see if he had anything to add. As is usual, Coach Griffith, who along with wife Debbie have been the Co-Coaches for all the Buckeye National Championships, had a short but precise answer.

"No real comments other than this team had no quit in it. It was great."

---Steve Maxwell

The 2008 IHSA Nationals Western Team Class-by-Class Results. The first class listed was held Thursday, May 8th, the second and third classes were held Friday, May 9th, the fourth class was held Saturday, May 10th and the final two were held Sunday, May 11th. The judges for all western classes were Laurie Krause and Scott Buckwalter:

AQHA Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Amanda McNally, University of Findlay. 2. Kayla Feltz, Ohio State University. 3. Hayley McGuire, Oregon State University. 4. Kelsey Coggiola, Alfred University. 5. Allison Wrightenberry, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 6. Kellan Miller, West Virginia University.

AQHA Open Reining: 1. Keith Ceddia, Ohio State University. 2. Sabrina Wilson, Stanford University. 3. Ryan Sims, University of Findlay. 4. Kaitlyn Mix, Alfred University. 5. Kelsey Moody, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 6. Whitney Agee, West Texas A & M University.

AQHA Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Adam D'Agostino, University of Findlay. 2. Ryan Eberlein, West Texas A & M University. 3. Adrienne Smith, Oregon State University. 4. Erica Hill, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 5. Lisa Chaplin, West Virginia University. 6. Jamie Kalleward, Michigan State University.

AQHA Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Justin Bubenik, Oregon State University. 2. Lyndsay Nezbeth, Ohio State University. 3. Aleta Daniels, Michigan State University. 4. Ryan Carte, University of Findlay. 5. Rachael Hilton, West Texas A & M University. 6. Jessica Gesel, St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

AQHA Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Hillary Bedford, Ohio State University. 2. Charlene Kolodziej, Michigan State University. 3. Stephanie Hallgren, West Texas A & M University. 4. Ashley Clutter, West Virginia University. 5. Kaci Sintek, Oregon State University. 6. Heather Allenby, University of Findlay.

AQHA Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Kelsey Moody, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 2. Kaitlyn Mix, Alfred University. 3. Katie Morehead, University of Findlay. 4. Meghan Ritchey, Ohio State University. 5. Renae Burks, West Virginia University. 6. Errolynne Franck, West Texas A & M University.

2008 IHSA Nationals Western Team Totals:

(Thanks to Justin Bubenik for pointing out two errors in our original story which have been corrected - Editor)