Allyson Kriebel (on left, with Assistant Coach Emily Miller) was the seventh Delaware Valley College rider to win a blue ribbon on November 22nd. The Aggies produced eight blue ribbon winners, nine blue ribbons and 37 points when it was all over. And oh yes they are tied for first overall through seven Region 2 hunter seat shows.

DEL VAL CATCHES UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (AGAIN!)

Malvern, PA - It took seven shows to do it, but after winning the Villanova show at Reinbow's End Farm on November 22nd the Delaware Valley Aggies have finally claimed their first share of first place in 2009-10 (at least regarding the hunter seat standings - Editor). This is a somewhat dramatic comback for Del Val, as after the season opener on October 10th the Aggies were 18 points behind the University of Delaware and unusually (but temporarily) in fourth place. Previously as close as three points from the top this season, the Aggies were 37-28 winners over both UDel and West Chester at Reinbow's End. Both Del Val and UDel go into the winter break tied at 227 points each.

The real surprise about the overall tie is that for this region a tie atop the hunter seat team standings is nothing new. The Aggies and the Fighting Hens have finished tied at the end of the hunter seat regular season each of the past two years, with Del Val winning the tiebreaker last season and UDel going to zones in '08. Both schools will host shows a week apart in the month of March, with UDel once again at C-Line for the regular season finale.

On November 22nd Delaware Valley was led by freshman Jessica Buck. From Harrisonburg, Virginia, Buck was a winner in both of her intermediate classes, earning two firsts at an IHSA show for the first time. Also earning blue ribbons for the Aggies were Maria Metz (senior; Rosemont, Pennsylvania, in open fences), Terence Prunty (senior; Cranford, New Jersey, also in open fences), Lindsay Jean Smith (from Flemington, New Jersey, in intermediate flat), Kathryn Gibson (senior; South Seaville, New Jersey, in novice flat), Samantha Felice (sophomore; Horsham, Pennsylvania, also in novice flat), Allyson Kriebel (sophomore; Hatfield, Pennsylvania, in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Lauren Van Sicklin (sophomore; Port Jefferson Station, New York, also in advanced WTC). Del Val also sported three red ribbons via Stacey Driscoll (in intermediate flat), Catie Patterson (novice flat) and Melissa Milligan (walk-trot).

University of Delaware seniors Megan Spilatro (on right) and Nicole Adams (on left) finished first and second, respectively, in the first section of open flat. The Fighting Hens earned five blue ribbons and eleven red ribbons (including two for Adams) at today's show.

The University of Delaware was perhaps hampered by their near-misses, resulting in eleven red ribbons. The Hens' red ribbon roll call was as follows: Jacquie Eckrote in walk-trot; Esther Sportello in beginner walk-trot-canter; Tara Mahoney and Rachel Greiff in advanced walk-trot-canter; Caitlyn Stuart and Caitlin Gormley in novice flat; Rebecca DeBonis, Cassie Simons and Allison Storch in novice fences and Nicole Adams in both open flat and fences. DeBonis was probably the happiest of the red ribbon-winners, for she earned enough points to qualify for Regionals in what was her final undergraduate show before graduating in December. UDel undergraduates earned five blue ribbons, with Jessica Alfonse claiming two of them. Like Buck, the senior from Point Pleasant, New Jersey won her ribbons in the intermediate divisions. Megan Spilatro (senior; Far Hills, New Jersey, in open flat), Rachel Wilson (junior; Media, Pennsylvania, in novice flat) and Katie Fuchs (freshman; Downingtown, Pennsylvania, in beginner walk-trot-canter) also won blue ribbons for UDel.

West Chester University earned three firsts and three seconds which played a part in the Golden Rams tieing for reserve. Kendall Gearren (sophomore; Mount Laurel, New Jersey, in intermediate fences), Erika Cloud (freshman; Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in novice fences) and Ellen Berry-Johnson (freshman; Morrisville, Pennsylvania, in walk-trot) each won their respective classes, with Berry-Johnson a winner in the final class of the day (at roughly 4:00PM, making today's show one of the shorter Region 2 shows of the fall). Ashton Ryan and Emily Rosen managed back-to-back red ribbons (in open flat and intermediate flat, respectively) while Jessica Dixon also earned a second in advanced walk-trot-canter. It was the second time this season the Golden Rams earned at least a share of the reserve championship, having claimed second outright at the October 10th University of Pennsylvania show.

The hosts just missed out on making it a three-way tie for reserve. Blessed with much better weather than when they hosted one year earlier, Villanova continued their upward trend with 27 points. Like West Chester the Wildcats were the recipients of three firsts and three seconds. Villanova earned consecutive wins when Maria Brandifino (sophomore; Fort Pierce, Florida, in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Julia McManus (freshman; Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in beginner walk-trot-canter) won late in the day. Earlier Ellen Hansen (junior; Cheyney, Pennsylvania) won her open flat. Hillary Manchester (intermediate fences), Margaret Emmet (beginner walk-trot-canter) and Elena Cucco (walk-trot) were red ribbon winners for the Wildcats. Though they scored only 16 points over the first two shows Villanova has averaged 26.2 per show since and now sits in fifth place with 147 points.

No one will baste these Dragons at Thanksgiving! Drexel scored 25 points, including seven earned by Ariella Barshay in walk-trot (on left, with Coach Wendy Myers, who was one of four stewards to wear a Turkey around their neck). The Dragons go into the winter break with 169 points while sitting in third place overall.

Drexel University was next with 25 points. The Dragons earned their only blue ribbon of the day during the next-to-last class, when Ariella Barshay (sophomore; New York, New York) won her section of walk-trot. Earlier Cora Rivera was second to Buck in intermediate fences while Cameron Callaghan was second to Gibson in novice flat. Overall Drexel remained in third place, ten points ahead of West Chester.

If Coach Amber Jewell could combine the points from all three teams she advises, she would be nearly 80 points ahead of Delaware and Del Val! Her Bucks County Community College team is the best of this trio at the moment, having added 21 points at today's show to boost their overall total to 141. Lindsay Broadhead finished second to Metz in the section of open fences which started the day while Jolie Bosakawski was second in her novice flat.

Valley Forge Military College had one of their best days if not their best day in IHSA competition since the programed made its' debut in the fall of last season. Kyle King, a freshman from Wayne, Pennsylvania won his third consecutive walk-trot class in as many shows. Tim Gridley was third in both of his intermediate classes while Eric Hart was third in his section of beginner walk-trot-canter. Valley Forge finished with 17 points and with 98 overall have already exceeded last year's total of 96.

The University of Pennsylvania finished a point behind Valley Forge for the day with 16. Ally Langenfeld, a senior from Tampa, Florida won the Quakers lone blue ribbon of the day with a first in novice flat. Morgan Taylor was third in advanced walk-trot-canter.

Competing with six of eight divisions filled, Temple University scored 13 points. Holly Peters, a junior from Newtown, Pennsylvania won her novice fences for the Owls. Lighting struck twice for Temple as Adria Wyszynski was also a novice fences winner moments later. Not to be outdone, Wyszynski's twin sister Rachel later won her novice flat. Sara Garvey was a red ribbon winner for the Owls, second in her section of novice flat.

Washington College scored 12 points. Colleen McCallister, a sophomore from Horsham, Pennsylvania, and Megan Young, a freshman from Baltimore, Maryland earned red ribbons for the Shoremen. Young was second in intermediate fences while McCallister, who only recently pointed out of novice, was second in intermediate flat. Kristie Heitmann (in open fences) and Jesse Schaefer (in novice flat) were yellow ribbon winners for the shoremen.

It rained like crazy when Villanova hosted in November of 2008. In November of '09 the sun was out almost the entire day, much to the delight of Villanova Head Coach Sara McCoy-Palmer (on left). McCoy-Palmer poses with Ellen Hansen after the latter won her open flat class. The Wildcats came within a point of tieing UDel and West Chester for reserve at today's show.

Rounding out the scoring was Arcadia University. Becki DelPizzo, a junior from Collegeville, Pennsylvania won the Beavers' lone blue ribbon of the day with a first in novice fences. Sarah Bellomo (in novice flat) and Chelsea Crozier (in intermediate flat) were third in their respective classes as Arcadia scored six points.

2009 Arcadia graduate Carly Morgan also earned a blue ribbon, besting seven others in alumni fences. Likewise University of Delaware graduate Jen Windish was a blue ribbon winner in alumni flat. Windish and 2009 Washington College graduate Bernadette Loomis (fourth in alumni flat) are now both within one ride of qualifying for Regionals in alumni flat. Though Morgan still has a way to go to reach 28 in alumni fences, four riders can punch their tickets to Valley Forge on April 10th with a win in the division next time. Jamie Mast-Windle (third in alumni fences) now leads the field with 27 points. Loomis (fifth over fences) now has 25. Former Penn Quaker Jess Schatz was second and now has 22 while 2008 University of Delaware graduate Tabatha McAnally was fourth and now has 21 points. The only alumni rider already qualified for Regionals wasn't even at today's show. 2008 Drew University graduate Tori Frederick was instead running in the Philadelphia Marathon. Frederick reached exactly 28 points in alumni flat last weekend.

Another question-and-answer settles high point rider: It has been years since Region 2 concluded a show with a ride-off. As is usual here the judge asked both riders some questions, with Buck chosen as the high point 'Jessica' for the day.

Fire Hydrants beware!: Hidden in the back of today's show program was a page of 'Strange Horse Laws' from around the world. Did you know that it is illegal to fish from horseback in Colorado, Utah and the District of Columbia? In Marion, South Carolina it is illegal to tickle a female under her chin with a feather duster to get her attention while she is riding a horse! Fountain Inn (an establishment elsewhere in South Carolina) will not allow horses to enter unless they are wearing pants! Horses are required to wear hats in hot weather in Rasario, Argentina! Pennsylvania law states "Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it in the nearest bushes." And our favorite: In Marshalltown, Iowa it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant!

A huge lead compared to hunter seat: The University of Delaware leads Delaware Valley College 197-196 through eight Region 2 western shows. Astoundingly the lead has gone back and fourth here several times, and with some radical swings where double-digit leads have evaporated in a matter of hours thanks to four days of double-western shows. The entire matter will be settled on February 28th, when defending Region 2 western champion Washington College will host the final two western shows. While Delaware Valley won the region for four consecutive seasons prior to Washington doing so last season, the University of Delaware is trying to send a western team to the post-season for the first time since 2001.

Valley Forge hosted a show like no other: Valley Forge Military College hosted their first-ever "Intercollegiate Medal Challenge" on October 17th. VFMC Head Coach Nick Caputo forwarded a press release on the show, which we have included here in it's entirety (and in Boldface type):

At the first annual Valley Forge Military College Intercollegiate Equitation Challenge Cup horse show several riders and teams from Zone 3, Region 2 competed for the coveted perpetual trophy and bragging rights for the next year. The competition opened up with the Herald Trumpets performing the National Anthem and D Troop Company Commander, Cadet Andrew Henderson presenting the American Flag while riding “Bunny”, a favorite grey Thoroughbred among many Zone 3, Region 2 open and intermediate riders. While the Herald Trumpets played, Cadet Henderson rode Bunny faster and faster until he was eventually galloping around the indoor riding arena with the American Flag flowing in the wind from his right hand.

This competition was the first of many more to come. Non-competing members of D Troop rallied behind Cadets Field and Gridley cheering them on during their classes. Everyone enjoyed doughnuts, cider and many other Halloween type treats. It was a fun filled, exciting day on what would have otherwise been a cold, wet, dreary Saturday.

An appeal for a missing story: This writer attended a very cold, wet show at Reinbow's End on November 15th, 2008. It took several months for the story to be finished, which included the history of Region 2 as well as the events of the day itself. Unfortunately this story was inadvertantly erased when writing the October 10th, 2009 Penn Story. If anyone printed out our story on the Fall 2008 Villanova show at Reinbow's End while it was posted earlier in 2009 we would be most grateful for a photocopy. We know some people saw it because these individuals commented on it during the Spring of 2009. We are crossing our fingers we don't have to offer a reward for it, but that is likely the next step!

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Sunny skies, with temperatures in the 50's. Start time: 9:22AM. Finish: 4:05PM - Includes 32 minute schooling break. Coaches & Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point cards posted in this region? No. Alumni classes held in this Region? Yes. Judge: Leslie Post. Stewards: Caputo/Valley Forge Military College, Myers/Drexel University, Windle/Delaware Valley College Alumni and Palmer/Husband of Villanova coach (!).

Team Totals: Delaware Valley College (High Point Team) 37; University of Delaware (TIE-Reserve) 28; West Chester University (TIE-Reserve) 28; Villanova University 27; Drexel University 25; Bucks County Community College 21; Valley Forge Military College 17; University of Pennsylvania 16; Temple University 13; Washington College 12; and Arcadia University 6.

High Point Rider - Jessica Buck, Delaware Valley College
Reserve High Point Rider - Jessica Alfonse, University of Delaware