"It took me six minutes to get here this morning," said Brittany Karns of Rhode Island College (on left), who lives in nearby Seekonk, Massachusetts. There is something to be said about the short commute to the Johnson & Wales equestrian center, as Karns was the only rider to win a pair of blue ribbons at today's show. Teammate Teresa Legein (from not too far away; Middletown, Rhode Island) poses with Karns after winning the novice flat. Though she is a senior, Karns had never won twice in the same day at an IHSA show prior to her two wins in the intermediate divisions on March 13th.

URI, UCONN TIE FOR FIRST AT MARCH 13TH JOHNSON & WALES SHOW

Rehoboth, MA - On a very rainey day outside the Johnson & Wales Equestrian Center, two schools finished a point ahead of two others for high point team honors. The University of Rhode Island continued to nibble on Brown's overall lead, beating the Bears by a point 33-32. The Rams did most of their damage early, winning three of the first four classes while sweeping the open fences. The University of Connecticut did not win a class until the intermediate flat, yet the Huskies tied URI for high point on this day. Host Johnson & Wales managed to tie Brown at 32 despite no walk-trot rider being entered. Jay-Wu novice riders did much of the damage (two blues over fences and one on the flat). Brown finished with three blue ribbons, including back-to-back wins in open flat and still lead the Rams by eight going into the next-to-last show of the season a day later.

Breaking from the traditional format of most stories written about IHSA shows on Campus Equestrian, we present a collection of actual comments written by most of today's winners. Each of these blue ribbon winners typed their comments directly into our laptop, and save for a coma or two that we changed their responses are presented verbatim...

The writer of this article is an avid Princeton University basketball fan, so he was surprised to meet Sean Kane (on left) whose lone start for the Brown University Basketball team was at a Princeton home game two seasons back (which the writer attended and which Brown won). Kane was on hand to watch Rebecca McGoldrick (on right) compete. McGoldrick delivered five points for the Bears via a second in intermediate fences.

"Famous last words from my coach, Pam Maloof, before beginning my course: 'Ride better than your best.' I think I did just that! The course was fun and my horse was responsive, which is really all you can ask for, so I'm very happy with the win. Go Rhody!" - Mariel Saccucci, University of Rhode Island, who won the first section of open fences.

"I want to write something funny but I can't think of anything, 333 Pammy." - Paula Foohey, University of Rhode Island, who won the second section of two sections of open fences, and who appears to have made a cryptic reference to URI Coach Pam Maloof.

"The last thing I remember hearing my coach Andra Collins say was to just go out and have fun. I did just that; I got on the horse and went out to have a good ride. The ride was amazing and I am very happy with the results." - Brittney Karns, Rhode Island College, who won the first of two sections of intermediate fences and the third of three sections of intermediate flat.

"Don't ride backwards! - Always the same scenario at every show, ride the horse forwards Heather not like your taking a stroll in the park. Of course today brought more pressure - my home trainer finally being at one of my college shows - saying the same exact words as my fav. coach Pammy. Nope, no stalls today, great ride, great horse, great ride. And FINALLY the infamous words that I seldom hear from my trainer - PERFECT. Go Rams!!!" - Heather Chmura, University of Rhode Island, who won the second and final section of intermediate fences.

"Hoy gane la prueba 4A de la division de novicios en el concurso de la Universidad de Jonhnon and Wales. Las ultimas palabras de mi entredador Dirk Fogg antes de antrar al recorido fueron: 'Mantente en tu centro de balance y esto te ayudara a lograr un mejor ritmo y paso durante el recorrido' Exito!! Todo salio perfecto, ritmo y balance en combinacion para un resultado fabuloso. Gracias a esta victoria califique para regionales y ahora competire al nivel intermedio sobre saltos." - Gilberto Gonzalez, Johnson & Wales University, who won the first of three sections of novice fences.

"Holy wow! I definitly did not think I won that one. I've had a hard time lately remembering my courses, so I want to send a big thanks out to my coach, Heather Johnson, for making me relax a little bit before this class. This is my first first place over fences in IHSA, so this is very exciting. The horse I had was Clue; He was wonderful! Everything moves so quickly in these classes, but I thought I did pretty good, I guess :) Thanks to my team too, always supportive and hilarious." - Lauren Donohue, Post University, who won the second of three sections of novice fences.

"It felt really good being at a home show and qualifing for Regionals. It gave me the confidence I needed to stay calm and be successful." - Rebecca Faust, Johnson & Wales University, who won the third and final section of novice fences.

A freshman from South Hadley, Massachusetts, Kim Klepacki of Connecticut College (on right, with Camels Head Coach Richard Luckhardt) won her intermediate flat while placing second in intermediate fences to become one-third of the ride-off for reserve. The Camels scored 27 points to finish behind only the four schools with either 33 or 32 ahead of them.

"Eugenie Carabatsos (Wesleyan University) won her Open Flat class. She is now qualified for Regionals on the flat. The draw she drew was fantastic and very responsive. She's sad this is her last JWU Horse Show." - Eugenie Carabatsos, Wesleyan University, who won the first of three sections of open flat and appears to have spoken in the third person.

"I really liked my draw, Weltman. He used to be at our barn so Michaela had a lot of helpful advise and he went very well. And my boots were extra shiney, so I think that helped." - Elizabeth Gilberti, Brown University, who won the second of three sections of open flat.

"It has been a great day at Johnson and Wales. The horses are all being wonderful and it is an amazing facility. I am thankful for the opportunity to ride at this show; it is always a favorite of mine. This is my third year of IHSA and I am glad I am able to learn more every year." - Elise Fishelson, Brown University, who won the third of three sections of open fences.

"This is my first year doing IHSA and I just qualified for Regionals which I'm really excited about! Our team is very supportive of one another and showing is so much fun with them." - Jess Fall, University of Connecticut, who won the first of three sections of intermediate flat.

"I'm a freshman at Connecticut College and my experience during IHSA competitions has been nothing but rewarding. I had awesome draws today and the facility is beautiful. I can't wait to compete here again!" - Kim Klepacki, Connecticut College, who won the second section of intermediate flat.

"I am a freshman at Johnson and Wales University. Being a member of the JWU IHSA team has been the most rewarding part of my college experience so far. I love being a part of team like this with hard working teammates, great riders and coach." - Kristen Sarcone, Johnson & Wales University, who won the first section of novice flat.

A junior from Greenwich, Connecticut, Nicole Pucci of Trinity College (on left) scored five of the Bantam's seven points with a second in open flat. Her teammate Melissa Meyer (on right) earned the other two in advanced walk-trot-canter. Though they were a two-woman team today there were likely many more Trinity riders present a day later when the Bantams hosted at Avon Valley Show Stables.

"My name is Teresa Legein and I am a junior at Rhode Island College. I ride in the novice division, flat as well as fences. Being a part of the Rhode Island College Equestrian Team as been an amazing experience. I love the encouragement of all my teamates and I enjoy the camaraderie." - Teresa Legein, Rhode Island College, who won the second section of novice flat.

"Today was a great day of showing! My coach and teammates at UConn are all very supportive and have made my first year of showing in the IHSA a great experience." - Brittney LaMark, University of Connecticut, who won the third and final section of novice flat.

"I am a junior at URI and after taking a five year hiatus from riding, I am very glad to be on the Equestrian Team. All of the people on the team are great and I have learned so much from our coach, Pam. I am sad that I will only have one more year to be on the team but it has been a great experience." - Abby Mayou, University of Rhode Island, who won the first of two sections of advanced walk-trot-canter.

"My name is Maggie Rogers, I am a junior at Connecticut College. I'm really lucky to be captain of such a great team of girls who all really love showing and are always here to support each other" - Maggie Rogers, Connecticut College, who won the second and final section of advanced walk-trot-canter.

"Usually riding is an individual sport, and I feel so lucky that in IHSA I have a team to support me. This is my first year riding for Brown, and this great experience only makes me wish I had started as a freshman. The horses at JWU are amazing, and I'm already looking forward to coming back next year." - Dara Goldberg, Brown University, who won the lone section of beginner walk-trot-canter.

From left to right are Paula Foohey, Mariel Saccucci and Heather Chmura of the University of Rhode Island. Foohey and Saccucci won the two sections of open fences while Chmura was a winner in intermediate fences a short time later. The Rams tied UConn for high point team with 33 each while gaining yet another point on a Brown team which still led overall by eight points at the time.

Additional Stuff: The walk-trot winners were Melissa Berger of Roger Williams University and Ana Kopec of Central Connecticut State University...Karns still has not competed in a ride-off for high point as today's high point rider ribbon was hers outright...there was a three-way ride-off for reserve at today's show. Gilberti, Donohue and Klepacki each had a first and a second. Gilberti had competed in several prior ride-offs while Klepacki was reserve high point rider at the fall Brown show. It was the first time in a ride-off for Donohue, and the freshman from Sterling, Massachusetts went on to win the red ribbon...The entire region will head west to compete a day later at Avon Valley Show Stables in Avon, Connecticut with Trinity College hosting...Brown and Roger Williams will co-host the regular season finale at Windcrest Farm in Hebron, Connecticut on March 20th.

Benfield receives a scholarship: Liz Benfield of Central Connecticut State, who had a big day when the Blue Devils won at UConn during the fall, was presented with a scholarship at the CHJA's banquet in early February. CCSU Head Coach Kayla Blanchette wrote a press release about Benfield which appears here with minor edits:

"Central Connecticut State University’s Captain and open point rider Liz Benfield was awarded the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association’s annual Academic Scholarship at their banquet on February 6th, 2010. A junior from Wethersfield, Connecticut, Benfield is seeking a secondary English education major with a cross endorsement in secondary Spanish education. She then plans to pursue her master’s degree in education. The award committee was astounded by her credentials including her 3.98 GPA and her dedication to private tutoring.

Within the local circuit Benfield can be seen competing Miss Suzy Q (owned by Olivia Trueb) in the Modified Adult Hunters. This year she will receive a 4th in this division. In intercollegiate horse shows not only does Benfield lead the Blue Devils at competitions, demonstrating good sportsmanship, she also hopes to be a great role model to younger members of her team academically."

Things change in a hurry: Donohue's quote that "Everything moves so quickly in these classes" could also be applied to the final eight days of the regular season. UConn and Central Connecticut State tied for high point the next day at the Trinity show with 31 points each. Brown however gained considerable ground on URI, outscoring the Rams 30-18 to move 20 points ahead. A week later the Bears finally won a high point team ribbon for the first time since the fall, edging out UConn 32-31 at Windcrest while URI was third with 30. Brown thus finishes 22 ahead of the Rams and 28 ahead of the Huskies for their fourth consecutive Region Title and their eighth in program history. Gilberti repeated as the high point open rider, finishing seven points ahead of Saccucci. Though Trinity scored only 18 points over the five fall shows the Bantams scored 84 points over the final five shows which took place in early 2010, perhaps a good omen for next season.

---Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Rain, occasionally heavy, with temperatures in the upper '40's. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 9:28AM. Finish: 4:51PM - Includes 45 minute lunch/schooling break. Coaches and Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point cards posted in this region? Yes but without rider's names. Alumni classes held in this region? Yes but not on this day. Judge: Chuck Mayer. Stewards: Maloof/University of Rhode Island, Luckhardt/Connecticut College and Scanlon/Brown University.

Team Totals: University of Rhode Island (TIE - High Point Team) 33; University of Connecticut (TIE - High Point Team) 33; Brown University 32; Johnson & Wales University 32; Connecticut College 27; Rhode Island College 26; Roger Williams University 23; Central Connecticut State University 22; Post University 21; Wesleyan University 20 and Trinity College 7.

High Point Rider - Brittany Karns, Rhode Island College
Reserve High Point Rider - Lauren Donohue, Post University