Did you know there are ticket windows at the Cameron Street entrance to the large arena of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex where 2018 IHSA Nationals was held? Julia Roshelli of the University of Findlay poses with her parents in front of the ticket windows after winning the individual advanced western horsemanship division on May 6th. At Nationals six western team and six western individual classes are held, and Findlay riders won six of the combined twelve. And admission was once again free to all who came to watch!

SKIDMORE, FINDLAY ADD TITLES TO STORIED HISTORYS

HARRISBURG, PA - Headed into 2018 IHSA Nationals at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 3rd Skidmore College had most recently won a hunter seat team National Championship five seasons earlier. Meanwhile the University of Findlay had last won a western National Title in 2010. In both cases the history books showed that both programs were among the winningest of all time, with Skidmore having won seven hunter seat titles and Findlay five western. With five titles (all won between 2001 and 2010) Findlay was second only to Ohio State's ten western while Skidmore arrived perhaps in a tie for the most hunter seat team championships. A long-standing error in the IHSA Nationals program was corrected, now showing that St. Lawrence University won the 1981 championship rather than Southern Seminary Junior College. For years Southern Sem was shown as the winner, and now this writer wonders if there could have been a tie between the two schools that year. With the correction Southern Seminary had seven titles in a short time, 1980 to 1988 while Skidmore also had seven over a longer stretch 1990 through 2013.

Both schools would add to these totals. Skidmore was in first throughout all eight team classes (though Otterbein University was briefly tied for the top spot with eight points each after two) and scored all 30 of their points through just six classes. Defending three time national champion Savannah College of Art and Design made a furious effort to catch Skidmore over the final two team classes. SCAD Freshman Adam Edgar earned 12 points at that time to cut the final margin to 30-28. However firsts for Sheridan Beard (in novice fences), Maeve Foley (in intermediate flat) and Alison Santucci (in walk-trot-canter) had helped put the well-nicknamed Thoroughbreds too far ahead. The western team competition was close for a while, with the University of Wisconsin at River Falls ahead through two. However Findlay riders won the second, fourth and fifth team classes after which the sixth team class was really only to determine second place. Charity Thacker (novice western horsemanship), Charlotte Chubb (advanced western horsemanship) and Bryant Fox (intermediate western horsemanship) won team blue ribbons for the Oilers, the latter two doing so in back-to-back classes during the Sunday session to seal the deal. The Oilers final margin of victory was a healthy nine points, besting in-state rival Ohio State by a 28-19 score.

Andrew Benjamin (on far left) met Janice Beard (center) while he was a senior at Purdue University during the 1983-84 school year. Both rode on the Purdue team for head coach Jerry Steinmetz (between Janice and IHSA Founder and Executive Director Bob Cacchione, who is on the far right). Andrew and Janice later married each other and Janice gave birth to Mikayla Benjamin (on horse), who went to Sweet Briar College and won the 2018 Cacchione Cup Competition. A senior from Leesburg, Virginia, Mikayla Benjamin is the first rider in the long history of the Sweet Briar riding program to win a Cacchione Cup.

The top individual prizes awarded at IHSA Nationals events are the Cacchione Cup and individual AQHA high point Western Open Rider trophy. In 2018 the winners of these divisions became the first riders from their respective schools to have won the award.

At 24 riders entered the field for the 2018 Cacchione Cup competition was the smallest since 22 were entered in 1999. This was because the IHSA held a Cacchione class at each of the eight Zones shows to narrow down the field to only three riders per zone at Nationals. Though fewer riders qualified each was afforded the opportunity to participate in both the over fences and flat phases of the Cacchione division (prior to 2018 this had not happened since 2002 Nationals). Each of the riders who had led their respective regions in combined open flat and open fences points had their turns in the ring on May 4th and then awaited the Judge's verdict as to whom if anyone would be invited to take part in a work-off phase the next morning. It turned out the top ten were invited back (a high number; in 2017 the top five were invited back and in 2016 only three made the cut for further testing). There were some huge swings in the standings following the work-off. Two riders fell by at least five positions while two others make huge gains. Skidmore College junior Hannah Tuckner entered the work-off in ninth place but so impressed Judges Diane Carney and Tony Sgarlata that she was awarded third place. However the rider who moved up the most in the work-off tied the record for improvement during the class held at the Judge's discretion. Sweet Briar College senior Mikayla Benjamin sat in eighth place overall through the flat and fences phases. Benjamin's test (which like those for all the others was a jumping test) was deemed the best. As was the case when Elizabeth Gilberti of Brown University sat in ninth place prior to the work-off at 2009 Nationals and finished the reserve national champion Benjamin moved up a record-tieing seven postions and won the 2018 Cacchione Cup. Mount Holyoke College senior Mollie Kowalchik had led the field with a combined score of '170' headed into the work-off and received the 2018 Reserve Championship. Benjamin's '162' score heading into the work-off showed just how important her effort in the test was. Though Sweet Briar was one of the many schools within the state of Virginia to join the IHSA for the 1975-76 season the Vixens had never produced a Cacchione Cup winner until now. It should also be mentioned that Benjamin is a second-generation IHSA rider, as both of her parents met while competing for Purdue University in the mid-1980's.

The American Quarter Horse Association continued their sponsorship of both the western team classes held at Nationals and the award for the top open western rider. As was the case for hunter seat there were 24 riders entered in the AQHA individual High Point Western Rider competition. The Western Horsemanship or Rail Phase was held during the Saturday afternoon session, with 12 riders going in Section A. Following team beginner western the remaining 12 went in Section B. On Sunday morning the same Section A riders kicked off the final day with their Reining rides. After two more team classes Section B had their turn to rein. It was during section B that several riders set the bar at it's highest. While West Texas A and M's Kendall Woellmer and Penn State University's Seth Rice had scores of '142.5' to lead the field through Section A the B rides contained quite the run. University of Findlay senior Hanna Hedderick went fifth and received a score of '145.5' from Judges Carlene Carter and Allen Michels. Freshman Tyler Kirby of Ohio State went sixth and turned in the best reining score of any rider in any reining class held that weekend, a '149.' St. Andrews University senior Conner Smith went seventh and received a score of '146.5.' While this put Smith in second place in the reining sections he had already finished first overall in the horsemanship phase. State University of New York at Cobleskill senior Morgan O'Sullivan went eighth and received a score of "145." When the reining was over it was already a given that Smith would receive the AQHA award based on where he placed in the reining and rail combined. While having to wait for the awards presentation, Smith won the final team class of the four-day event, open western horsemanship. When the AQHA High Point Rider ribbons were given out, Kirby was fifth (Kirby's rail score had put him behind several others), Oregon State University junior Rachael Nordby was fourth (helped by a top three rail score), Woellmer third (she also did well in a few hunter seat rides and earned the versatility award), Hedderick the reserve champion and Smith the champion. Though the Knights had their run of western team titles snapped at two Smith's win in the AQHA High Point gives the St. Andrews western program one of the big awards at three straight IHSA Nationals shows. Smith is also the first St. Andrews rider to win the individual AQHA individual High Point Rider award.

If you place within the top four in the National Reining Horse Association-sponsored individual open reining at Nationals you are invited to compete against eight others in the Collegiate Derby class at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City in June. From left to right are Travis Fortune of Murray State, Danielle Paulson of the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, Tyler Kirby of Ohio State, Morgan Knerr of the University of Findlay and Cacchione. As evidenced by their ribbons these are the four IHSA riders who qualified for the Derby where they will face four riders selected by the NCEA and four at-large selections of the NRHA.

Winners in the Individual undergraduate classes were spread out around the country for hunter seat while Zones 6 and 8 accounted for all the western blue ribbons. On the hunter seat side Zones 1, 3 and 5 each produced two winners while Zones 2 and 6 had one each. Centenary University junior Michael Andrade won the individual open over fences class which started 2018 Nationals on May 3rd while Emily Wilmot of Delaware Valley University won individual intermediate flat a few hours later in her final undergraduate ride. Two New England schools came up with unbeatable individuals. Alessandro Lorenzoni of Wesleyan University won individual walk-trot, making him the only undergraduate to win an individual hunter seat class at 2018 Nationals Not on May 3rd (individual walk-trot took place on May 4th). While Lorenzoni is the second rider in Wesleyan University history to win a class at Nationals (Elizabeth Perry won individual novice fences in 2004) Jennifer DePietro of Johnson and Wales University managed a first. The freshman from Atkinson, Massachusetts won the individual intermediate over fences to become the first J and W Wildcat to earn a blue ribbon at an IHSA Nationals event. While Savannah College of Art and Design won three team national championships in a row prior to 2018 it was two of their rival Zone 5, Region 5 schools which produced individual winners at this year's Nationals. Molly Murtha of the University of Central Florida won individual novice flat and Carol Hayes of the University of Florida won individual walk-trot-canter two classes later. Following Hayes into the winner's circle was Caroline Molther of the University of Kentucky, a blue ribbon performer in individual open flat. Perhaps the most unusual story of the day on May 3rd was what happened to Marcus Livermore of Morrisville State College. By chance the sophomore from Syracuse, New York drew "Sexy Rexy" in the individual novice flat who he happens to own! Riding his own horse Livermore was only fourth in the class which Murtha won. However earlier in the day while riding an unfamiliar horse Livermore won the individual novice over fences!

On the western side four Zone 6 riders won individual undergraduate classes with three of them riding for the same team. That team is new western national champion University of Findlay, which took as many blues back to campus in the individual classes as they did in the team classes. While Julia Roshelli (in individual advanced western) and Brandon Morin (in the last class of the entire event, the individual novice western horsemanship) won blue ribbons on May 6th Oiler teammate Morgan Knerr won the only class that keeps one's season going past the IHSA National Championships. A freshman from Plain City, Ohio, Knerr won the National Reining Horse Association - sponsored individual open reining on May 5th. Both Knerr and Ohio State's Kirby received combined Judge's score of "148" which forced a ride-off to break the tie. Knerr had the better second ride, earning a "147.5" to Kirby's "146.5." Ohio State University co-head coach Ollie Griffith commented that both riders were members of his Autumn Rose Farm IEA team only one school year ago. Though Knerr finished ahead of Kirby this time both riders - along with Danielle Paulson of the University of Wisconsin at River Falls (with a score of "145") and Travis Fortune of Murray State University (with a score of "142") - will have another shot to be a blue ribbon winner when the NRHA Derby takes place in Oklahoma City in late June. Every year the NRHA invites the top four riders in the individual reining from IHSA Nationals to compete against four NCEA riders selected by that entity and four other at-large selections made by the NRHA to compete in the Collegiate Derby Class at their show known world-wide simply as "The Derby." On some occasions the NRHA will select an IHSA rider as one of the at-large selections, so it is still possible that another IHSA rider could ultimately take part in the collegiate Derby class. Though Kirby was second his teammate Tricia Bellman was best in a field of 12 individual beginner western riders on May 6th to earn a fourth blue ribbon for Zone 6. Though Billings, Montana and Lincoln, Nebraska are far apart from each other riders from schools located in these two cities are members of the same IHSA Zone. Zone 8 contains both Rocky Mountain College (in region 3) and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (in region 5). The former school claims junior Codi Uecker as one of their students while the latter claims junior Sierra Nelson in similar fashion. Uecker won the individual open western horsemanship on May 4th while Nelson took home the blue ribbon in individual intermediate western horsemanship on May 6th.

From left to right are Sheridan Beard, Alison Santucci, Maeve Foley and Assistant Coach Belinda Colgan of Skidmore College. Beard (in novice fences), Santucci (in walk-trot-canter) and Foley (intermediate flat) won blue ribbons in team classes for Skidmore, which captured their eighth IHSA National Team Championship. Colgan has been an assistant with Skidmore for the three most recent titles, in 2010, 2013 (shared with St. Lawrence) and 2018.

Two of the Alumni riders who won blue ribbons had already won a class as an undergraduate at an IHSA Nationals show. 2014 Delaware Valley University graduate Chelsea Koerper won team novice over fences at 2011 Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky while Elizabeth Bianco won the individual open reining for Ohio State University at 2012 Nationals in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bianco was the first alumni to win a blue ribbon in Harrisburg, earning a score of "141.5" to win the Alumni Reining just before 7:00PM eastern time on May 4th. Koerper won the very next class, which started the May 5th festivities. Koerper's score of "82" was the best alumni jumping score and for a rare change there was no further testing. A few hours after Koerper was champion in alumni fences former Alfred University rider Stephanie Zimicki won the final hunter seat class of the season. Now riding in Zone 3, Region 3 Zimicki was a blue ribbon winner in Alumni Flat. With the win both 2018 hunter seat alumni winners had emerged from Zone 3 (Koerper from Zone 3, Region 2, the same region she rode in as an undergraduate). The final alumni winner at 2018 Nationals was Ellen Waidner who graduated from Florida State University last season. Waidner won the alumni western horsemanship, becoming the second rider from Zone 5, Region 5 to win an alumni class at Nationals in the past two seasons. In 2016 Morgan Sykes was the alumni reining blue ribbon winner (Sykes graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 but started his IHSA career at Florida State prior to transfering to UCF; this writer is not sure if Sykes and Waidner were teammates for a year or not). Waidner's win ended a historic streak of blue ribbons in alumni western horsemanship for Saginaw Valley State graduate Caitlin Arthur. Since earning her diploma in 2014 Arthur was undefeated in three tries at Nationals in the alumni western horsemanship. At 2017 Nationals Arthur was a winner in both Western alumni classes but in '18 she was fourth in horsemanship and sixth in reining. Arthur still has the longest run of western alumni wins in one division and is tied with hunter seat rider Rick Rauch (who graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where Bob Cacchione had started the IHSA in the mid-1960's) for most consective alumni wins at IHSA Nationals in any alumni division. Rauch won alumni classes from 1976-78 and to explain how much the world has changed Rauch won a combined alumni class the first two of those years before there were separate flat and fences classes (Rauch won alumni flat in '78 while Jim Hoey of Northampton Community College and later a coach for two different IHSA schools in Pennsylvania won the inaugural alumni fences).

More Hunter Seat Notes: Boston University made their first appearance with a full hunter seat team since 1992 and came in fourth with 18 points. The Terriers were led by senior Michael Janson, who traded places with SCAD's Edgar by winning team open fences and placing second in team open flat on May 5th...Stanford University may have had a young team in the words of their head coach Vanessa Bartsch in an article following Zones on IHSAinc.com but this did not keep the Cardinal from finishing third overall with 22 points. Stanford scored at least one point in six of the eight team classes which only Skidmore was also able to do. Bartsch has seen her team fair extremely well when Nationals are held in Harrisburg as Stanford tied for Reserve National Champion in 2006 and was technically second behind both Skidmore and St. Lawrence in 2013 after a late rally left the Cardinal only two points behind the winners...Virginia Tech was the only hunter seat team making their first appearance with a full team. The Hokies scored ten points, putting them ahead of eight of the 16 teams entered...When Amelia Jacksy placed inside the top two at Zone 6 Zones she became the first University of Toledo rider to qualify for IHSA Nationals in the program's brief history showing. Jacksy finished seventh at Nationals in individual novice flat...Similarly the University of Mississippi sent their first rider ever to IHSA Nationals. Emory Barnes of Ole' Miss was fourth in individual intermediate fences and tenth in individual intermediate flat...And for the first time ever riders from Canadian schools in three different regions all qualified for IHSA Nationals. In past seasons a combination of Zone 2, Region 2, Zone 6, Region 4 and Zone 8, Region 4 sent riders forward but one of the three would not have a presence. This time riders from the University of Ottawa, University of Western Ontario and University of British Columbia each got through so that all three regions were represented by Canadian schools.

More Western Notes: While three different regions sent Canadian riders to Nationals for hunter seat classes Zone 2, Region 2 sent forward Sarah Ricker from the University of Guelph as their rider with the most combined open reining and rail points. This marks the first time that region has seen a rider from a Canadian school compete for the AQHA individual High Point rider award...Campus Equestrian is also trying to determine if Jordan Miles is the first rider from Reedley College to qualify for IHSA Nationals. Miles also took part in the AQHA individual High Point rider competition...Erin Mays is in fact the first Liberty University western rider to qualify for an IHSA Nationals event. Mays placed tenth in the individual novice western...if you read the photo caption on this page regarding University of Findlay head coach Spencer Zimmerman you will learn he was only six seasons removed from his senior year riding for the Oilers. However Zimmerman was not the only first-year coach with a full western team entered. Ariel Herrin, a 2015 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University finished her first season coaching her alma matter by seeing the Blue Raiders tie Oregon State for third place with 17 points each...There has become some debate as to if 1984 IHSA Nationals was the first to feature English and Western classes at the same National show. 1984 Nationals was held in the same large arena at the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex that was used this weekend. In between Nationals shows held in Harrisburg in 2006, 2013 and 2014 were held in a smaller room down the hall, with the large arena used for schooling, stabling and mounting of riders on those three occasions. It is a fact that 1983 Nationals were held in separate locations on separate weekends for English and Western, with western national classes held before those of hunter seat. It is also safe to say 1985 Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky featured English and Western at the same location. For many years it was assumed both disciplines rode in Harrisburg in 1984 but conversations this writer had with at least one individual from that era has him wondering otherwise. Morehead State University was high point western team in 1984. Can anyone from Morehead remember riding in the large arena in Harrisburg to accomplish this?

Wait 'till next time: Prior to the 2017-18 season there was talk that 2019 IHSA Nationals would be at one of two sites. If the State of New York could construct a brand-new Exposition Center in Syracuse on property already used for the New York State Fair in time then this location would be the place. However if the new facility was not going to be ready then the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex would host Nationals two seasons in a row (just as the facility did in 2013 and 2014). According to a press release dated 12/22/17 and found on the New York State Fair website the new Expostion Center was already under construction. The 136,000 square foot building will be the largest event space north of Manhattan between Cleveland and Boston. The building will apparently be ready for the 2018 New York State Fair later this summer. If this proves to be true and if the Exposition Center proves to be a good fit for indoor riding in front of a large audience then 2019 Nationals will be about four hours north by automobile from that of 2018.

--Steve Maxwell

He was a member of two Findlay teams that won National Western Team Championships and now he is the head coach for yet another. Spencer Zimmerman (on far left) is a 2011 University of Findlay graduate and in his first season as Findlay head coach the Oilers captured their sixth western title. Though Zimmerman is offically the head coach it should be noted that Clark Bradley (on far right) has been part of the Findlay coaching staff since before Zimmerman was an undergraduate. Bradley has been present in Findlay, Ohio for all six titles dating back to 2001.

The 2018 IHSA Nationals Class-by-Class Results, held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania May 3rd through 6th. The Classes are listed in the order in which they were held. The hunter Seat Judges were Diane Carney and Tony Sgarlata while the Western Judges were Charlene Carter and Allen Mitchels.

Thursday, May 3rd:

Individual Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Michael Andrade, Centenary University. 2. Halle Kutsche, Kansas State University. 3. Michael Janson, Boston University. 4. Olivia Champ, Dartmouth College. 5. Hadley Benneyan, Skidmore College. 6. Devan Graham, Syracuse University. 7. Melanie Lathrop, Colorado State University. 8. Jacqueline Watts, University of South Carolina. 9. Elizabeth Traband, Penn State University (State College). 10. Christina Antonucci, Lynchburg College.

Individual Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Jennifer DePietro, Johnson and Wales University. 2. Jaclyn Calale, Penn State University (State College). 3. Jackie Marks, University of Southern California. 4. Emory Barnes, University of Mississippi. 5. Bailey Calkins, Indiana University. 6. Tanner Price, Virginia Tech. 7. Alexandra Hartman, Skidmore College. 8. Casey Menna, University of Kentucky. 9. Samantha Leuci, Centenary College. 10. Reilly Flood, James Madison University.

Individual Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Marcus Livermore, Morrisville State College. 2. Bobbie Adsit, Emory and Henry College. 3. Rebecca Bedard, University of Ottawa. 4. Delaney Pluta, University of Vermont. 5. Caroline Houston, Randolph College. 6. Erin Buckley, Maryville College. 7. Coby Hildebrant, Centenary University. 8. Jessica Johnson, Tarleton State University. 9. Emily Kowit, Otterbein University. 10. Amanda Lyons, University of Connecticut.

Team Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Sheridan Beard, Skidmore College. 2. Julia Bronson, St. Lawrence University. 3. Madison Kress, Otterbein University. 4. Andrea Marti, Purdue University. 5. Meghan Moran, University of Findlay. 6. Kendall Woellmer, West Texas A and M University. 7. Jennifer Leddy, Centenary University. 8. Nicole Wolf, Penn State University (State College). 9. Jane Hilsenrath, Boston University. 10. Lindsey Boesen, Colorado State University.

Individual Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Emily Wilmot, Delaware Valley University. 2. Merle Beach, St. Lawrence University. 3. Aberle Rodgers, University of South Carolina. 4. Lissy Naber, Lake Erie College. 5. Bailey Calkins, Indiana University. 6. Claudia Krebs, State University of New York at New Paltz. 7. Mackenzie Parks, St. Andrews University. 8. Bobbie Adsit, Emory and Henry College. 9. Emily Holowczak, Mount Holyoke College. 10. Emory Barnes, University of Mississippi.

Individual Novice Equitation On The Flat: 1. Molly Murtha, University of Central Florida. 2. Matt Drohan, Centenary University. 3. Lillian Hilgers, Savannah College of Art and Design. 4. Marcus Livermore, Morrisville State College. 5. Lauren Walley, Colorado State University. 6. Victoria Jenkins, Ohio State University. 7. Amelia Jacksy, University of Toledo. 8. Cecilia Lang-Ree, Stanford University. 9. Victoria Latham, Wake Forest University. 10. Emily Selland, Cornell University.

Team Novice Equitation On The Flat: 1. Brady Martino, Savannah College of Art and Design. 2. Carolyn Rosazza, Virginia Tech. 3. Mikayla Westlake, Otterbein University. 4. Gabrielle Bernier, College of Charleston. 5. Hannah Newman, St. Andrews University. 6. Sheridan Beard, Skidmore College. 7. Andrea Marti, Purdue University. 8. Elizabeth Trexler, St. Lawrence University. 9. Nikki Falkenberg, Colorado State University. 10. Nicole Arnold, Centenary University.

Individual Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation On The Flat: 1. Carol Hayes, University of Florida. 2. Brianna Seymour, Michigan State University. 3. Christine Wastila, University of California at Los Angeles. 4. Kenyon Gustafson, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 5. Rebecca Booz, Delaware Valley University. 6. Amanda Terbrusch, University of New Hampshire. 7. Maggie Sanford, Berry College. 8. Hannah Campbell, Boston University. 9. Rachel Burton, Virginia Tech. 10. Hannah Erickson, Centenary University.

Individual Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Caroline Molther, University of Kentucky. 2. Kayla Jacobs, Georgia Southern University. 3. Danielle Duryea, Otterbein University. 4. Natalie Nahirney, University of British Columbia. 5. Lauren Henry, University of Rhode Island. 6. Chris Johnson, Purdue University. 7. Erica Hamilton, East Carolina University. 8. Madison Miller, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 9. Chelsea Runacres, Trinity University. 10. Devan Graham, Syracuse University.

Team Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Maeve Foley, Skidmore College. 2. Lanie Bricker, Boston University. 3. Roman Mezger, Otterbein University. 4. Alexandra Ulmer, Stanford University. 5. Sophie Meserve, College of Charleston. 6. Lauren Walley, Colorado State University. 7. Mackenzie Barnes, University of Findlay. 8. Sabrina Fox, Mount Holyoke College. 9. Andrew Pryslak, Centenary University. 10. Claire Meyer, Purdue University.

Friday, May 4th:

Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Sara Hearn, Mount Holyoke College. 2. Mara Chemerinsky, Skidmore College. 3. Caitlin Doocy, St. Lawrence University. 4. Angela Cammarata, Centenary University. 5. Caroline Soane, Stanford University. 6. Lanie Bricker, Boston University. 7. Annie Goss, Colorado State University. 8. Sabrina Mercadante, Penn State University (State College). 9. Emily Kowit, Otterbein University. 10. Mackenzie Parks, St. Andrews University.

Team Open Reining: 1. Danielle Paulson, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 2. Mary Wade, Middle Tennessee State University. 3. Haley Ruffner, Alfred University. 4. Selena Finn, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 5. Kinsey Ayres, Black Hawk College. 6. Tyler Kirby, Ohio State University. 7. Morgan Knerr, University of Findlay. 8. Rachael Nordby, Oregon State University. 9. Conner Smith, St. Andrews University.

Individual Walk-Trot Equitation On The Flat: 1. Alessandro Lorenzoni, Wesleyan University. 2. Sidney Black, St. Lawrence University. 3. Michelle Villasenor, Sonoma State University. 4. Jillian Kazmierczak, Virginia Tech. 5. Kindra Gingerich, St. Mary of the Woods College. 6. Abigail Carpenter, Randolph College. 7. Andrea Bianca Hill, Berry College. 8. Tristen Cascio, Marist College. 9. Lily Garvin, Skidmore College. 10. Elora-Danam Ellison, West Texas A and M University.

Team Walk-Trot Equitation On The Flat: 1. Jillian Rogers, Stanford University. 2. Vincent DeLissio, Savannah College of Art and Design. 3. Taylor Ziemer, Virginia Tech. 4. Julia Berger-Bailey, Skidmore College. 5. Emily Green, St. Lawrence University. 6. Samantha Gallo, St. Andrews University. 7. Richard Ille, Otterbein University. 8. Catherine McCharen, West Texas A and M University. 9. Ryan Toole, Penn State University (State College). 10. Mireille Wando, Boston University.

Team Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Charity Thacker, University of Findlay. 2. Sydni Loose, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 3. Patricia Wingate, Middle Tennessee State University. 4. Sierra Nelson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 5. Morgan Kiehl, Ohio State University. 6. Taylor Soderholm, Alfred University. 7. Samantha Roff, Oregon State University. 8. Hannah Campbell, Black Hawk College. 9. Beth-Ann Tate, St. Andrews University.

Team Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation On The Flat: 1. Alison Santucci, Skidmore College. 2. Claire Womack, Stanford University. 3. Ally Bates, Savannah College of Art and Design. 4. Claire Brady, Purdue University. 5. Sophia Krehmeyer, Otterbein University. 6. Samantha Bledsoe, College of Charleston. 7. Elissa Baldwin, St. Lawrence University. 8. Sarah Etzel, Mount Holyoke College. 9. Anna Burke, Virginia Tech. 10. Natalie Molea, Boston University.

Individual Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Codi Uecker, Rocky Mountain College. 2. Rachael Nordby, Oregon State University. 3. Kendall Woellmer, West Texas A and M University. 4. Conner Smith, St. Andrews University. 5. Anneleise, Ritzi, University of Findlay. 6. Rachel Kanaziz, Adrian College. 7. Haley Ruffner, Alfred University. 8. Lauren Martyn, Miami University of Ohio. 9. Kamryn Kruchten, Black Hawk College. 10. Carla Carfora, Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College.

Alumni Reining: 1. Elisabeth Bianco, Ohio State University. 2. Michelle McDowell, Grand Valley State University. 3. Amanda Belcher, Murray State University. 4. Ellen Waidner, Florida State University. 5. Emily Kopko, Middle Tennessee State University. 6. Caitlin Arthur, Saginaw Valley State University. 7. Cody Koneski, Kutztown University. 8. Cristen Cramer, Ohio State University.

Saturday, May 5th:

Alumni Equitation Over Fences: 1. Chelsea Koerper, Delaware Valley University. 2. Emily Byczek, Indiana University. 3. Samantha Page, Syracuse University. 4. Kelsey Gore, Louisiana State University. 5. Clare Bornstein, Boston University. 6. Hannah Walters, Averett University. 7. Rachel Pekala, Colorado State University. 8. Tara Mathews, University of Connecticut. 9. Kayleigh Burke, Virginia Tech. 10. Caitlyn Fagan, Skidmore College.

Team Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Michael Janson, Boston University. 2. Adam Edgar, Savannah College of Art and Design. 3. Merle Beach, St. Lawrence University. 4. Madeline Skrak, Mount Holyoke College. 5. Kelsi Okun, Stanford University. 6. Michael Andrade, Centenary University. 7. Elizabeth Traband, Penn State University (State College). 8. Danielle Duryea, Otterbein University. 9. Sabrina Vlacich, St. Andrews University. 10. Rhiannon Parker, College of Charleston.

Cacchione Cup Competition: 1. Makayla Benjamin, Sweet Briar College. 2. Mollie Kowalchik, Mount Holyoke College. 3. Hannah Tuckner, Skidmore College. 4. Elizabeth Traband, Penn State University (State College). 5. Sarah Gordon, Savannah College of Art and Design. 6. Skylar Laakso, Centenary University. 7. Halle Kutsche, Kansas State University. 8. Cary Hundley, Goucher College. 9. Melanie Lathrop, Colorado State University. 10. Alicia Weismann, Rider University.

Zone 5, Region 5 has become synonymous with Savannah College of Art and Design, as this school produced the top IHSA hunter seat team 2015-17. Schools in this region have to face off against the three-time champion Bees every show, and if you can place ahead of them you have accomplished something. Carol Hayes of the University of Florida (on left) won the individual walk-trot-canter less than two hours after Molly Murtha of the University of Central Florida (on right) won the individual novice flat at Nationals on May 3rd. Both riders come from the aformentioned Zone 5, Region 5, which produced three straight winners that day as Brady Martino of SCAD (not pictured) won the team novice flat class which took place between those of Murtha and Hayes.

National Reining Horse Association Individual Open Reining: 1. Morgan Knerr, University of Findlay. 2. Tyler Kirby, Ohio State University. 3. Danielle Paulson, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 4. Travis Fortune, Murray State University. 5. Kendall Woellmer, West Texas A and M University. 6. Courtney Slack, Alfred University. 7. Alexandra Britt, University of Tennessee at Knoxville. 8. Morgan O'Sullivan, State University of New York at Cobleskill. 9. Hannah Hein, St. Mary of the Woods College. 10. Aubrey Braham, Slippery Rock University.

Team Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Adam Edgar, Savannah College of Art and Design. 2. Michael Janson, Boston University. 3. Payton McClintock, University of Findlay. 4. Caroline Soane, Stanford University. 5. Danielle Duryea, Otterbein University. 6. Shea Cirbee, Virginia Tech. 7. Shannon Rice, College of Charleston. 8. Francesca Eremeeva, Mount Holyoke College. 9. Klarissa Barley, West Texas A and M University. 10. Hannah Tuckner, Skidmore College.

Alumni Equitation On The Flat: 1. Stephanie Zimicki, Alfred University. 2. Kylie Roberts, North Carolina State University. 3. David Sookey III, Morrisville State College. 4. Ashton Phillips, Virginia Intermont College. 5. Kaley Curtis, Mount Ida College. 6. Alexis Barter, Lake Erie College. 7. Cayla Dupuis, Albion College. 8. Kelsey Gore, Louisiana State University. 9. Stephanie Augustine, University of Kentucky. 10. Clare Bornstein, Boston University.

Alumni Western Horsemanship: 1. Ellen Waidner, Florida State University. 2. Michelle McDowell, Grand Valley State University. 3. Rebecca Folk, Lafayette College. 4. Caitlin Arthur, Saginaw Valley State University. 5. Cristen Cramer, Ohio State University. 6. Emily Kopko, Middle Tennessee State University. 7. Elisabeth Bianco, Ohio State University. 8. Tammy Cranouski, Westfield State University.

Team Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Tori Gonzales, Ohio State University. 2. Alexander Smith, St. Andrews University. 3. Alexi Nielsen, University of Findlay. 4. Anna Maria Jardini, Oregon State University. 5. Micki DeWitt, Black Hawk College. 6. Vanessa Virgilio, Alfred University. 7. Samantha Abrahamson, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 8. Brooke Imm, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 9. Sarah Kozuszek, Middle Tennessee State University.

Sunday, May 6th:

Team Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Charlotte Chubb, University of Findlay. 2. Jillian Channell, Ohio State University. 3. Monica Eichler, Oregon State University. 4. Steven Todd, Middle Tennessee State University. 5. Anna Heusinger, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 6. Allison Gossett, Black Hawk College. 7. Jackilyn Thayer, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 8. Hannah Newman, St. Andrews University. 9. Kristie Wagner, Alfred University.

Team Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Bryant Fox, University of Findlay. 2. Monica Steenkolk, Oregon State University. 3. Luke Brock, Middle Tennessee State University. 4. Marcos Nogueira, St. Andrews University. 5. Audrey Heusinger, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 6. Kendyl Bennett, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 7. Kimberly Hartman, Ohio State University. 8. Emma VanDyne, Alfred University. 9. Griffin Tuftie, Black Hawk College.

Individual Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Julia Roshelli, University of Findlay. 2. Dillon Vaughn, St. Andrews University. 3. Kelsey Prosch-Jenson, Grand Valley State University. 4. Anna Lia Sullivan, University of Delaware. 5. Mary Claire Cornett, Mississippi State University. 6. Erin Bosse, Ohio State University. 7. Gabrielle Green, Saginaw Valley State University. 8. Arianne Cox, Texas Tech University. 9. Alyssa Beardsley, Alfred State College. 10. Michelle Grevengoed, Augustana College.

Individual Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Sierra Nelson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 2. Leah Ely, University of Findlay. 3. Lea Inhaber-Courchesne, Morrisville State College. 4. Montana Whitehead, Adrian College. 5. Allie Robertson, Berry College. 6. Carley Hockett, West Texas A and M University. 7. Aubrey Bennett, Black Hawk College. 8. Shaylee Picow, Alfred University. 9. Savannah White, St. Mary of the Woods College. 10. Alexandra Hemberger, University of Kentucky.

Individual Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Tricia Bellman, Ohio State University. 2. Alan Durden, University of Findlay. 3. Mikayla Osborne, Black Hawk College. 4. Mary Catherine Hix, Berry College. 5. Hannah Jenkins, Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College. 6. Elora-Danam Ellison, West Texas A and M University. 7. Samantha Clayton, Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College. 8. Nicole Gonzalez, Delaware Valley University. 9. Claire Reach, Auburn University. 10. Rachel Butler, State University of New York at Cobleskill.

Team Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Conner Smith, St. Andrews University. 2. Rachael Nordby, Oregon State University. 3. Erin Bosse, Ohio State University. 4. Hanna Hedderick, University of Findlay. 5. Danielle Paulson, University of Wisconsin at River Falls. 6. Jenna Seal, Middle Tennessee State University. 7. Selena Finn, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 8. Haley Ruffner, Alfred University. 9. Kinsey Ayres, Black Hawk College.

He was part of two National Champion Western Teams and he goes out on top individually. From Gastonia, North Carolina, St. Andrews University senior Conner Smith (on right) poses with Knights western head coach Carla Wennberg following his individual AQHA high point open rider reining ride. Smith's reining score of '146.5' was the second-best out of 24 entrees. Smith had the best horsemanship score and was awarded the AQHA individual High Point Rider award at the conclusion of classes on May 6th (but not before he also won team open western horsemanship).

Individual Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Brandon Morin, University of Findlay. 2. Noelle Pearson, Black Hawk College. 3. Jamie Kittle, University of Findlay. 4. Alysha Hardy, Morrisville State College. 5. Sarah Cooper, Berry College. 6. Mikayla Bolonda, Delaware Valley University. 7. Steven Todd, Middle Tennessee State University. 8. Allison Gossett, Black Hawk College. 9. Rebecca Garrett, Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College. 10. Erin Mays, Liberty University.

Individual AQHA High Point Open Rider Competition: 1. Conner Smith, St. Andrews University. 2. Hanna Hedderick, University of Findlay. 3. Kendall Woellmer, West Texas A and M University. 4. Racheal Nordby, Oregon State University. 5. Tyler Kirby, Ohio State University. 6. Morgan O'Sullivan, State University of New York at Cobleskill. 7. Haley Ruffner, Alfred University. 8. Kinsey Ayres, Black Hawk College. 9. Seth Rice, Penn State University (State College). 10. Codi Uecker, Rocky Mountain College.

2018 IHSA Nationals Hunter Seat Team Totals: