From Santa Cruz, California, Boston University freshman Brennah Montague (on left) won both of her intermediate classes to qualify for the ride-off at the October 17th Wheaton College/Curry College show. Terriers Head Coach Phyllis Cervelli (on right) has her team in a tie for first place overall in the early going.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY WINS, TIES TUFTS ATOP REGION 4 TEAM STANDINGS

North Smithfield, RI - All nine of today's entries crossed state lines to compete in the second Region 4 show of the 2010-11 season. The first-ever IHSA show held at Phoenix Rising Horse Farm in North Smithfield, Rhode Island was decided in the fourth-to-last class. Kate Dortenzo was Boston University's final rider of the day, and the freshman from Bay Village, Ohio came through with a first in beginner walk-trot-canter to elevate the Terrier's total to 42 points and secure high point team honors.

One weekend after earning 36 points and Reserve High Point Team honors at the Tufts show, Boston University scored 42 points to beat Tufts by five. Leading the way for the Terriers was intermediate rider Brennah Montague. A freshman from Santa Cruz, California, Montague won both of her intermediate classes to qualify for the ride-off (Montague has two blue ribbons in two weekends in intermediate fences). Tessa Ku (junior, Sacramento, California, in novice flat) and Kelly Purchase (junior, Locust Valley, New York, in intermediate flat) joined Montague and Dortenzo in the winner's circle. Lilly Zarella, a sophomore from Rochester, New York was second in both of her open classes and finished the day in a three-way tie atop the Region 4 open rider standings (considering that Boston University has scored 78 points over two shows, or 39 per show Zarella's two seconds are the Terrier's only red ribbons so far this season).

Tufts University has two bonafide candidates for 2010-11 Region 4 high point open rider honors. Freshman Audrey Carlson (on right) won both of her classes on October 9th and is currently tied with two others at 20 points to lead the Region 4 open rider standings. However senior Katie Christiansen (on left) won her open fences on October 17th and currently has 17 open level points.

Tufts University edged out Stonehill College for second place. Katie Christiansen, a senior from Larchmont, New York won the second section of open fences early in the day. Katie Lazarski, a sophomore from Bristol, Connecticut and Daryl Cooley, a freshman from Amherst, New Hampshire both won sections of novice fences for the Jumbos. Risa Meyers (in intermediate fences), Megan O'Toole (in beginner walk-trot-canter) and David Eder (in walk-trot) added red ribbons to the Tufts' collection. The Jumbos scored 37 points and like Boston University now has 78. Though Audrey Carlson did not win an open class after sweeping in her IHSA debut, the freshman from Boulder, Colorado (who trains at the same facility as Mount Holyoke senior Lindsay Sceats when back home) is tied with two others at 20 points each atop the Region 4 open rider standings.

A week after scoring 31 points, Stonehill College increased their output to 36. Kayla Schneider, a senior from Vernon, Connecticut won two of the first three classes of the day (both open divisions) to become part of the ride-off. After the lunch break the Sky Hawks earned two more blue ribbons, as Diana Cabral (senior, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts) won her novice flat while Lexi Fenner (sophomore, Rye, New Hampshire) won her walk-trot. Callie Ryan (in beginner walk-trot-canter), Sam Lindquist (novice flat), Brianna Bach (novice fences) and Cassandra Lorusso (open fences) were red ribbon winners for Stonehill. Schneider, who had only six open points in the season opener, suddenly moved into a tie with Carlson and Zarella atop the Region 4 open rider standings.

Previously she coached at Framingham State College and Harvard University. Allegra Valberg (on left) is now in her first season as Head Coach at Stonehill College. Valberg and Assistant Coach Kristen Redquest (on right) saw walk-trot rider Lexi Fenner (center) win the Sky Hawks' fourth and final blue ribbon of the day.

Also in the 30's at today's show was Mount Ida College. Competing in their second show as a member of Zone 1, Region 4 the Mustangs scored 31 points, up from 27 eight days earlier. Tessa Falanga, a freshman from Hyde Park, New York earned Mount Ida's first blue ribbon of the day in intermediate fences. Co-Captain Lillian Robinson, a junior from Seekonk, Massachusetts won her novice fences while placing second in novice flat. Ashley McKeever (freshman, Hanover, Massachusetts) and Jenna Vullo (junior, Glastonbury, Connecticut) were second in consecutive sections of intermediate flat for the Mustangs, who will host the rest of Region 4 for the first time ever two weeks from today's show.

Boston College also improved on their opening day effort, earning 29 point to elevate their overall total to 54. For much of the day Abigail Crowell (junior, East Dennis, Massachusetts) had the Eagles' only blue ribbon of the day. Crowell, who won her open flat, would be joined in the winner's circle by teammates Michelina Pallone and Sara Misisco. Pallone, a junior from Sudbury, Massachusetts won the next-to-last class of the day while Misisco, a sophomore from Harrison, New York won the final class. This gave BC a sweep of the advanced walk-trot-canter division. Brittany Bachant, a sophomore from Hubbardston, Massachusetts, earned the Eagles' lone red ribbon of the day with a second in novice fences. With a third in open fences, Crowell trails the top three by only two points in the Region 4 open rider standings.

Though Brandeis did not crack the top two in any division until after the lunch break, the Judges still scored 26 points. Ilyana Rosenberg was second in novice flat while Alyssa Phillips was also a red ribbon winner in walk-trot. Ariel Ganz, a junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota (who transferred from the University of California at Santa Cruz but did not ride for their equestrian team) was a blue ribbon winner in beginner walk-trot-canter for the second weekend in a row. "I enjoyed today much better. Last week was scary," said Ganz. Brandeis also improved on last weekend's total, if only by a point.

Mount Ida College faired best in the intermediate divisions on October 17th. Mustangs Assistant Coach Becky Osinga (on left) poses with Ashley McKeever (second in intermediate flat), Jenna Vullo (in glasses, who was second in the intermediate flat class which followed McKeever's) and Tessa Falanga (on right, who won her intermediate over fences).

Wellesley College was seventh for the day with 24 points. The Blue were at their best before the lunch break, as Cleo Stoughton (senior, Manhattan, Kansas) was second to Schneider in open fences while Cassandra Duarte (junior, Lincoln, Rhode Island) was second to Montague in intermediate fences. Each of the top seven teams could claim a full point card at today's show.

By contrast Co-Host Curry College had only half their card filled, with no rider above the novice level. In spite of only three riders present the Colonels scored 19 points. Corinne Cabaniss, a sophomore from Newbury, New Hampshire won the second section of walk-trot. Cabaniss qualified for Regionals with the blue ribbon. Heather Blackwood was second in novice fences while Heather Hamelberg was second in the advanced walk-trot-canter class which closed out the day's proceedings. Curry was nearly twice as good as at Tufts, having scored ten points on opening day (This was in part because Blackwood pointed into novice at the Tufts show). Remarkably Curry riders have earned second place or higher in seven of eight rides so far during the 2010-11 season.

Wheaton College, the other Co-Host, rounded out the scoring with 18 points. Jess Beckstrom, a sophomore from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts won her novice flat. Cadence Hooks was second to Pallone in advanced walk-trot-canter. Though Wheaton brought up the rear the Lyons still scored two more points than on opening day.

Seen here with her Father, Michelina Pallone of Boston College holds up the blue ribbon she won in advanced walk-trot-canter. Boston College is one of four teams currently in the '50's within the Region 4 team standings.

Tufts graduates sweep alumni: Along with 20 undergraduate classes there were two alumni classes held at Phoenix Rising Horse Farm on the 17th. 2010 Tufts graduate Cecilia Pontoriero won the alumni fences for her first post-undergraduate blue ribbon. 2000 Tufts graduate at current Tufts Head Coach Katie Schaaf was a winner in alumni flat for the second time in eight days. Schaaf also earned a red ribbon in alumni fences. 2010 University of Connecticut graduate Brittany McLaughlin had the top alumni ribbon for any non-Tufts graduate, placing second to Schaaf in alumni flat. McLaughlin was third in alumni fences while Pontoriero was third in alumni flat. 1998 Penn State (State College campus) graduate Anneke Bartlesman was fourth in both alumni divisions while 2008 MIT graduate Anne Jaffe (who won the alumni fences on October 9th) was fifth twice.

The Ride-Off: As is usually the case at Region 4 shows, the Ride-Off took place after the final section of novice flat. Montague, riding in her first-ever IHSA ride-off, finished second to Schneider, who knew she had won and lost prior ride-offs but was unsure of exactly how many she had competed in.

The Ride-off: For over an hour it looked like Zarella might have the high point rider award all to herself, as others kept missing out on two firsts while the chance was theirs for the taking. Then Foster won at the last possible moment, making it a two-way tie among double-blues. The ride-off took place between two of the beginner walk-trot-canter classes, and though Zarella won both riders still received saddlepads donated by SmartPak.

Dortenzo avoids the Hot Oven: Boston University Head Coach Phyllis Cervelli was very happy with Dortenzo's ride. "You avoided the hot oven," said Cervelli. When this writer asked Cervelli what the Hot Oven is, Cervelli had each of her riders line up behind her. The rider who is subjected to the Hot Oven must crawl between Cervelli's legs and those of her Boston University teammates, theoretically passing through the oven. And for everyone standing "The Crop is Optional!"

Wellesley Head Coach Alli Mitchell (on left) poses with Blue open rider Cleo Stoughton after the latter was second in open flat. Stoughton has 15 open-level points through two shows, only five points off the lead.

Most interesting over-heard line of the day: "It's my first show since tenth grade," said Misisco after winning the final class of the day.

My state can lick your state in Region 4!: Massachusetts residents somewhat unsurprisingly claimed six of the 20 undergraduate blue ribbons at today's show. The state of New York came close, with four blue ribbons. Connecticut and California claimed three each, with Schneider accounting for two for the nutmeg state and Montague accounting for two for the golden state. New Hampshire produced two winners, Ohio one and Minnesota one. All in all Zone 1, Region 4 is one of the most diverse, with riders from all over the US (and some from abroad) choosing to attend schools in the Boston area.

Add another show, but not a big one: Zone 1, Region 4 will be off over the October 23rd/24th weekend, in part because many of the coaches have non-IHSA riders taking part in New England Medal Finals that same weekend. Region 4 will make up for it a week later, with shows hosted by Boston University and Mount Ida College over the Halloween weekend. An additional "Point Show" as they are called in Region 4 has been added for Saturday, November 6th also at Boston University's facility of choice, Holly Hill Farm. This show will be limited to one rider in each division, hence everyone who competes will be a 'Point Rider." Stonehill then hosts at Dry Water Farm the weekend before Thanksgiving. At that point six of a possible ten shows will be in the history books.

(Editor's Note: To the best of our knowledge no Boston University rider has ever been subjected to the 'Hot Oven' as previously described.)

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Mostly sunny skies, with temperatures reaching the mid '60's. Start time: 9:23AM. Finish: 1:43PM - includes 28 minute lunch break/Coaches and Captains meeting. Point cards posted in this region?: Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Chuck Mayer. Stewards: Bobola/Brandeis University, Valberg/Stonehill College and Schaaf/Tufts University.

Team Totals: Boston University (High Point Team) 42; Tufts University (Reserve) 37; Stonehill College 36; Mount Ida College 31; Boston College 29; Brandeis University 26; Wellesley College 24; Curry College 19 and Wheaton College 18.

High Point Rider - Kayla Schneider, Stonehill College
Reserve High Point Rider - Brennah Montague, Boston University