Originally this was supposed to be a photo of Delaware Valley College riders Grace Smith and Skylar McDonald, as the two swept intermediate fences for the Aggies on April 4th. However many other Aggies joined in at the last second. McDonald (center, in Charles Owens helmet, directly behind Head Coach Cory Kieschnick) was one of five riders to qualify for the ride-off for Reserve.

DELAWARE VALLEY WINS CLOSE ONE

Lititz, PA - The top four teams were separated by five points on a very cold and windy day at Flintrock Stables. It was the first Region 2 hunter seat show of calendar year 2012 and the first of only two such shows before Regionals. When it was over front-runner Delaware Valley College gained one point overall on host Penn State - Berks, prevailing 30-29. Ironically PSU-Berks had won by a point at Delaware Valley College during the fall, so today's outcome made these contests a wash. West Chester University was third with 26 while Franklin & Marshall scored 25 for fourth.

With the win Delaware Valley inched closer to their fourth consecutive Region Title. Should the Aggies continue to lead through March 11th (nearly a foregone conclusion) the class of 2012 will be the first in program history to have seen Del Val capture hunter seat Region Titles four consecutive seasons.

Delaware Valley Riders claimed blue ribbons in six of the 20 official undergraduate classes. Grace Smith (sophomore, Rumson, New Jersey) and Skylar McDonald (junior, Doswell, Virginia) won consecutive sections of intermediate fences. Gianna Grupp (in novice fences), Elizabeth Parker (in novice flat), Jordan Gerhardt (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Ashley Clayton (in walk-trot) also won classes. Seven Del Val riders earned second place ribbons while both McDonald and Grupp qualified for the reserve high point ride-off as each managed a first and a third for the day.

If twin sisters could combine their numbers then Princeton freshmen Erica and Sara Gonzalez would have been high point rider on March 4th. From Avon, Connecticut Erica was a winner in novice fences while Sara prevailed in novice flat. When Erica (on left) won her over fences class it marked the first time a Princeton rider won a class since the 2009-10 season.

Penn State - Berks may have been able to win for the second time this season had they come up with a few more blue ribbons. Berks earned but three and only two of those came during an 'offical' class. Haley Korejwo (pronounced 'Core-Aye-Voe'), a freshman from Oley, Pennsylvania won her novice fences. Ellen Blum, a sophomore from Harleysville, Pennsylvania won her novice flat while Katie Shemoski won the second of two sections of Maiden Cross Rails (for those in the many IHSA regions which do not offer the division, a Maiden Cross Rail or Maiden Fences class is a course of eight cross rails for riders in either novice flat or advanced walk-trot-canter who are not ready to jump a true fence with verticals). Berks riders earned four official red ribbons via Hannah Kreider (in open fences), Makenzie Danton (in intermediate fences), Katie Unger (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Monica DePaul, a freshman from West Chester, Pennsylvania who was second to Grupp in her IHSA debut ride. Lindsey Kern was second in the first section of Maiden Cross Rails.

Though Berks gained three points on them the West Chester University Rams continued to stay in second place overall. West Chester nearly earned as many blue ribbons as Del Val, heading back east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with five. Kendall Gearren (senior, Mount Laurel, New Jersey) won the lone section of open fences which started the day (a class made up of 12 riders) while Andrea Lengel (junior, Redding, Pennsylvania) and Nicole Ligon (sophomore, Glenmoore, Pennsylvania) swept the intermediate flat for the Rams. Shanna Baus (in novice flat) and Brittany Thatcher (in advanced walk-trot-canter) won later in the afternoon. Both Lengel and Ligon were third in their jumping classes, making each part of what became a five-way ride-off for reserve. The Rams were red ribbon winners on four occasions (not counting alumni), as Blanton Goll (novice fences), Caitlin O'Connor (same), Christina Pavia (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Kelsey Riegel (who finished behind Shemoski in maiden cross rails) took seconds.

Franklin & Marshall College had the luxury of competing in a show at the facility where the team is based while not having to host the event. The Diplomats scored 25 points but the casual observer would probably think they faired even better. Katherine Lembeck (junior, Lebanon, New Jersey) won the first of two sections of open flat while Morgan Yandow (sophomore, Glastonbury, Connecticut) won in novice fences six classes later. Rebecca Hicks was second to Smith in intermediate fences while Ainsley Treptow was a red ribbon winner in the second section of open flat. Anastasia Melchriet was second in the only section of beginner walk-trot-canter while Yandow was second to Blum in novice flat. By virtue of having earned a first and a second, Yandow was today's high point rider without having to ride off or take part in a question and answer session.

Seen here with Head Coach Scott Burkhart, Morgan Yandow of Franklin & Marshall College holds the high point rider ribbon. The sophomore from Glastonbury, Connecticut won her novice fences while placing second in novice flat to earn the honor outright.

Bucks County Community College had one of their better days during the 2011-12 season, earning fifth place honors with 18 points. Competing without an intermediate rider, Bucks was led by junior open rider Sarah Keyser. From Newtown, Pennsylvania, Keyser won her open flat while placing third in open fences. Though she did not know it so early in the day, Keyser would be one of five riders with a first and a third which put her into the ride-off. Jennifer Poland, a sophomore from Chalfonte, Pennsylvania won the third of three sections of advanced walk-trot-canter to deliver Bucks a second blue ribbon hours after Keyser had come through.

With only four riders present Princeton University scored nine points for sixth place. The Tigers have not been present at all of the shows but when they have made an appearance there have been several highlights. Erica Gonzalez, a freshman from Avon, Connecticut won the fourth and final section of novice fences. Remarkably this marked the first time in two seasons that a Princeton rider won an official IHSA class (the Tigers showed only once during the 2010-11 regular season - Editor). Twin sister Sara Gonzalez proceeded to win the third of four sections of novice flat. Tyler Lee, a freshman from San Diego, California was second to Baus in the final section of novice flat. Should Princeton get the majority of riders to all of the shows during the 2012-13 season the Tigers stand to move up considerably in the standings.

Rider University scored seven points. The highlight of the day for the Broncs came late in the afternoon when Sara Molle won the only section of beginner walk-trot-canter. A sophomore from Flemington, New Jersey Molle was making her IHSA debut. Emiline Mylod was second to Yandow in novice fences for Rider's only other top-two ribbon. Rider nearly had a full card, missing only an open fences rider to make it all complete.

"Do we always receive prizes like this for winning?" Though Sara Molle of Rider University did not say this, the sophomore from Flemington, New Jersey would be on to something for asking. Molle is seen here with her parents after winning her IHSA debut (a blue ribbon effort in beginner walk-trot-canter) while holding her blue ribbon and a stuffed frog. Each rider who won a class at today's show received either a frog or a monkey purchased by host Penn State - Berks to benefit St. Jude's Hospitals.

Gwenedd Mercy College scored five points with only two riders entered. Novice rider Oliva Strunk earned all of GMC's points with a third in novice fences and a sixth in novice flat.

York College of Pennsylvania had riders entered in open fences, novice flat, walk-trot and maiden cross rails. Alexa Aubel, a junior coincidentally from York, Pennsylvania, was fifth in novice flat to score both of York's points for the day.

Arcadia University had four riders entered, Though Arcadia did not score any points Lauren McNamara did earn a first in section A of maiden cross rails.

The Alumni were out in full force, with eight riders entered on the flat and seven over fences (1989 Virginia Intermont College graduate Ashton Phillips, who hasn't jumped in a few seasons, was third on the flat). 1995 Beaver College graduate Beth Ann Clark is now listed as an Arcadia graduate (thanks to the 2001 school name change) and as BethAnn Mulford (thanks to marrying Mr. Mulford). Mulford won the alumni flat to qualify for Regionals in the division while 2005 Kutztown University graduate (and Penn State Berks Coach) Chrystal Wood (who was Chrystal Coffelt back in the day) won the alumni fences to reach exactly 28 points in that division. While this put Wood into the mix for Regionals she now needs to win the alumni flat her next time out to qualify in both divisions. 2011 West Chester University graduate Emily Rosen (who was Emily Rosen as an undergraduate) was second in both alumni divisions. Already qualified over fences, Rosen now needs three points at the final show on March 11th to qualify on the flat. Phillips is at 24 points and needs a third or better to keep his long streak of Regionals (and IHSA Nationals) appearances alive.

Seen here with Head Coach Beth Orem, Kendall Gearren of West Chester University (on right) won the lone section of open fences which started the day. Though they have not won a show this season West Chester's third place showing on March 4th kept them on pace to finish second behind Delaware Valley College in the overall Region 2 hunter seat team standings. The Rams lead Penn State - Berks by 20 but trail Delaware Valley by 37 going into the March 11 season finale also to be held at Flintrock Stables.

The Ride-Off: The five-way tie for Reserve High Point Rider was broken with a question and answer session with Judge Amy Barini (who once coached the Cedar Crest College IHSA team in Zone 3, Region 4). Barini took a few minutes with each rider, and eventually selected West Chester's Ligon as the Reserve Champion. Barini's first question to each of the five riders was to name Rodney Jenkins mount for the US Olympic Team during the 1980's. Because no one knew the correct answer (Idle Dice was the horse's name) Barini asked each rider the difference between a sweedish oxer and a square oxer. Two of the five correctly answered this one to force a 'playoff question.' Barini's final question to these two riders was to name the five rein aids. Ligon came up with the correct answers and received the red ribbon for the day.

What's Next?: Franklin & Marshall along with York College of Pennsylvania (and perhaps West Chester) are scheduled to co-host on Sunday, March 11th again at Flintrock Stables. With Delaware Valley so far ahead and Aggies Open Rider Ciara Menkens still comfortably ahead in the Region 2 hunter seat open rider race after a sub-par showing on the 4th the March 11th regular season finale will mostly be for the point-chasers. Those who point up that day will join all the previous Regional Qualifiers at Regionals hosted by Delaware Valley College on Saturday, March 17th. As is tradition there will be an awards banquet that evening during which the first and second place ribbons will be handed out. Riders at Regionals who place third and below will know exactly what ribbon they earned during the show itself while riders who were first and second will know only that they have advanced to Zone 3 Zones also at Delaware Valley on Sunday, April 1st. Unlike last season only the top two at Regionals will advance to the Zones show.

---Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Sunny skies, with temperatures reaching the middle '40's. Most of the show was held indoors while a small number of flat classes were held outdoors. Start time: 9:19AM. Finish: 4:11PM - Includes 63 minute lunch break. Coaches and Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point cards posted in this region? No. Alumni classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Amy Barini. Stewards: Horowitz/York College of Pennsylvania, Kieschnick/Delaware Valley College and Beth Jewell/Mother of Arcadia and Bucks County Community College head coach Amber Jewell.

Team Totals: Delaware Valley College (High Point Team) 30; Penn State University - Berks Campus (Reserve) 29; West Chester University 26; Franklin & Marshall College 25; Bucks County Community College 18; Princeton University 9; Rider University 7; Gwenedd Mercy College 5; York College of Pennsylvania 2 and Arcadia University 0.

High Point Rider - Morgan Yandow, Franklin & Marshall College
Reserve High Point Rider - Nicole Ligon, West Chester University