It may be hard to visualize a Cyclone, but it is not hard to visualize "Big Al," the Black Labrador seen here with Samantha Whitley (on left) and Anna Mantell of Centenary College. On October 3rd Big Al was the Centenary mascot, leading the school from Hackettstown, New Jersey to victory for the second time in a week.

CENTENARY COLLEGE WINS SECOND STRAIGHT, BEATS PACE BY 17

Readington, NJ - Lead by open riders Marissa Cohen and Kathryn Haley, the Centenary College Cyclones remained undefeated under the new name Zone 3, Region 3. Cohen, a senior from West Chester, Pennsylvania and Haley, a freshman from Orchard Park, New York won both of their open classes to tie for High Point Rider honors while the rest of the Centenary team combined to earn an additional 13 blue and 14 red ribbons. The Cyclones scored 45 points (seven more than on opening day) while winning by a comfortable 17 points over Pace (an improvement on their margin of victory over Drew, whom they edged 38-34 on September 25th) as Drew University and Sarah Lawrence College co-hosted at Briarwood Farm on October 3rd.

The Centenary Blue Ribbon roll call included riders from seven states: New Jersey (Colin Savaria - from the town of Belmar - in open fences; Kathleen Cardner - from the town of Asbury - in novice flat; and Nicole Cardinale - from Tom's River - in advanced walk-trot-canter), New York (Kristen Blatt - from Nesconsett - in novice fences and Haley), Pennsylvania (Cassandra Orr - from Aston - in advanced walk-trot-canter; Debbie Smith - from Newtown Square - also in advanced WTC; Jennifer Washel - from Warrington - in walk-trot and Cohen), Massachusetts (Brittany Cunnane - from Medway - in intermediate flat and Phoebe Hersh - from Martha's Vineyard - in novice flat), Maryland (Alexandra Otto - Hampsted - in novice flat), Virginia (Samantha Whitley - Virginia Beach - in intermediate fences), Texas (Candice Schober - Beaumont, though she can also claim Colts Neck, NJ as an adopted home town - in intermediate flat) and Washington (Sydney Eggleston - Spokane - in novice fences). Yet at least one more state was represented in the red ribbons, as Mckenna Sheriff, a freshman from Manhattan Beach, California was second in novice flat. Moriah Burr (beginner walk-trot-canter), Courtney Billings (advanced walk-trot-canter), Katie Smith (novice flat), Kaitlyn Bohlke (novice fences), Megan Pritchard (same), Schober (intermediate fences), Cori Reich (open flat), Jennifer Kuder (open fences), Anna Mantell (same) and Randi Cashman were also red ribbon winners. Cashman, a senior from Highland Falls, New York received red ribbons in both open divisions. It was the first time Cashman had ridden in both open divisions, having pointed out of intermediate fences at the September 25th Pace show. Whitley's win in intermediate fences also moved her into the open fences division.

From left to right are Morgan Tucker, Kat Knapp, Cadie Steele, Christine Jordan, Janae Bell and Gina DiMarco of the United States Military Academy. Bell had just won the first section of beginner walk-trot-canter when this photo was taken. The USMA finished sixth at today's show with 21 points but moved upward into a tie for second place overall.

Pace University improved slightly on their opening day effort. The Setters, who had scored 26 a week earlier, earned 28 points to claim Reserve High Point Team honors. Surprisingly Pace did not earn a blue ribbon until the final class of the day. Justina Edwards, a sophomore from Port Chester, New York won the 33rd and final class, which was the third section of walk-trot to boost Pace over several schools and send the team red ribbon back home to Pleasantville. Prior to Edwards' late afternoon heroics sophomore Kelly Harron had the Setter's top ribbon, a second in intermediate flat. Through two shows Pace has 54 points, enough for a tie with the USMA for second place overall.

The State University of New York at New Paltz finished both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons as Reserve High Point Team for the year in Zone 2, Region 1 behind Centenary. With the region now known as Zone 3, Region 3 the Hawks are not off to as fast a start as they would probably like, but still earned third place honors on October 3rd. SUNY-New Paltz earned back-to-back blue ribbons early in the day as Danielle Englehart (senior, Chester, New York) was a winner in intermediate fences while Carolyn Smith (senior, Smithtown, New York) followed with a first in open flat. Kathryn Colavito, a junior from Binghamton, New York won her novice flat class for the Hawks while Ashleigh Christiano was their lone red ribbon winner on October 3rd, finishing second in another section of novice flat. SUNY-New Paltz scored 25 points, seven more than eight days earlier.

It was the first show of the season for Marist College, and though they lacked an open fences rider the Red Foxes finished fourth for the day with 24 points. Caitlin Heller, a senior from Dover Plains, New York (who went the entire 2008-09 season without a single blue ribbon on the flat at a lower level) won her open flat class while Whitney Viola, a junior from Madison, Connecticut was second in both her intermediate flat and novice fences classes. Despite missing the first show Marist has more points than four Region 3 teams who have showed twice thus far.

From left to right are Maggie Perlman, Kerin Lawlor, Alex Dennis-Renner and Chelsea Catalanotto, who together made up four-fifths of the Sarah Lawrence roster on October 3rd. Perlman and Catalanotto went on to win red ribbons in flat classes after this photo was taken.

William Paterson University scored 22 points, three more than when Pace hosted. Melissa Meyers, a senior from Parsippany, New Jersey won her intermediate flat while Caroline Sanchez, a sophomore from Carteret, New Jersey won her walk-trot for the Pioneers. In addition Amanda Ptak was a red ribbon winner in beginner walk-trot-canter. One rider who is new to William Paterson this season is Heidi Shotmeyer, who rides in both open divisions. While this writer has seen situations where a mother coaches a daughter in the IHSA, this writer cannot recall a time when a sister coached a sister! Shotmeyer, who attended Centenary College some time ago but did not ride for their equestrian team, is the sister of William Paterson Head Coach Hayley Rooney. This also makes Shotmeyer part of the only aunt/niece IHSA riding combination this writer has ever heard of, as Rooney's twin daughters Jordan (who rides for Lynchburg College in Zone 4, Region 2) and Tori (who rides in that same region for Randolph College) could conceivably ride open at Nationals against their aunt one day if all parties can survive Regionals and Zones to get there! In her second IHSA show Shotmeyer was fourth over fences and fifth on the flat, a slight improvement over her debut showing a week earlier.

One week after finishing third by a point behind Drew (and only five points behind Centenary) the United States Military Academy was sixth with 21 points. However because most of the teams which finished ahead of them today had finished well behind at Pace the Black Knights moved into a tie with Pace for Reserve High Point team for the season thus far. Cadie Steele, a sophomore who took the 2009-10 season off won her novice fences. Joseph Curtin, a sophomore from Stanley, New Mexico won his novice flat while Janae Bell, a sophomore from Woodstock, Georgia was a winner in beginner walk-trot-canter. Morgan Tucher (in walk-trot), Aryn Davis (in advanced walk-trot-canter), Kalen Larson (in intermediate flat) and Morgan Proksch (in intermediate fences) were red ribbon winners for the USMA, which like Pace now averages exactly 27 points per show.

Co-host Drew Unversity was next with 15 points. Rachel Denning, a senior from Readington, New Jersey (the same town where Briarwood Farm is located) won her open fences early; Emma Richard, a sophomore from Concord, Massachusetts won her novice flat past the shows' halfway mark while Sean Ireland, a junior from Millville, New Jersey won his beginner walk-trot-canter class toward the end of the day. Kara Pennino earned the Rangers' only red ribbons with seconds in both of her novice classes. Drew currently sits in fourth overall, only five points behind Pace and the USMA.

Though she had just won a blue ribbon in walk-trot, Justina Edwards holds Pace University's red Reserve High Point Team ribbon. Coached by former Goucher College open rider Sam Miller (on far right) the entire Pace team joins Edwards outside the team bus for a group photo before heading back to Westchester county.

A scratch at the start of the day meant that Bard College had a total of five riders entered. Still the school from Annandale-on-Hudson, New York earned ten points, a three-point improvement from opening day. Elizabeth Falcone earned eight of Bards' ten points with thirds in both intermediate divisions while Abby Brown's fifth in advanced walk-trot-canter appears to have moved her into the novice divisions.

Ninth at today's show was Steven's Institute of Technology. Though the Ducks had six riders entered, all but two were walk-trot riders. As a result the Stevens card was half-full. The Ducks won the final two red ribbons of the afternoon, as Julia Cederroth and Haley Bayer were second to Sanchez and Edwards, respectively, in sections B and C of walk-trot. The school from Hoboken, New Jersey (with spectacular views of Midtown Manhattan) finished the day with seven points.

Vassar College scored six points though their ribbons would have those who didn't look at the point cards thinking otherwise. Lina Kavaliunas, a sophomore from Chicago, Illinois won the third of four novice fences classes. Marissa Lorusso, a sophomore who was making her IHSA debut was second to Curtin in novice flat. Three other Vassar riders earned yellow ribbons yet it did not translate into many points on the scoreboard this week.

Rounding out the scoring was co-host Sarah Lawrence College. The Gryphons were lead by Maggie Perlman, who was second in her novice flat, and Chelsea Catalanotto, who was a red ribbon winner in advanced walk-trot-canter.

Just as when Pace hosted there were no alumni classes at today's show. According to Region 3 Alumni Rep Kristine Kennedy, only Pace Head Coach Sam Miller is currently signed up. For the moment the word is that alumni would be offered if others step forward to bring the class size to three.

Centenarys' Debbie Smith (on left) and Cassandra Orr hold up Mugs filled with candy that were given to riders who won classes. Centenary won 17 of the 33 classes held on October 3rd, with no other school accounting for more than three first-place ribbons.

The Ride-Off: Just as Zone 2, Region 1 did not hold ride-offs Zone 3, Region 3 has followed suit. There wasn't even a coin toss as both Cohen and Haley received pillows that did not necessarily mean high point or reserve. Both riders were happy to leave the situation as a tie.

Keeping up with the Smiths: Yes Smith is one of the most common last names, and in Region 3 there were at least four schools at today's show with a 'Smith' on their roster. Pace has Jackie Smith, SUNY-New Paltz has Carolyn Smith and Centenary has both Katie Smith and Debbie Smith. None of these particular Smiths seem to be related.

Sounds Promising: The judge at today's show was Michelle Morosky Promise, who has judged Zone 2, Region 1 Regionals (in April 2005) and Zone 1 Zones (in April 2006) among other IHSA events. One of this writer's favorite judges (as few if any ever complain about her choices), Morosky Promise does not have any other IHSA shows scheduled on the horizon (Morosky Promise does have a few NCAA shows ahead however). If schools are looking for a judge in the short term, early 2011 or even for a Zones show this is someone with an exceptional track record. Though by judging today she became ineligible to judge at Zone 3 Zones, Morosky Promise (who is based in the Philadelphia area) is about as good as there is at judging an IHSA show.

Western finally falling into place: Starting this season several schools from last years' Zone 2, Region 1 will compete against at least three schools from the current Zone 3, Region 4 in western competitions. Besides the USMA, Centenary and Stevens from last season's Region 1, Rutgers University, Bloomsburg University and Kutztown University from Zone 3, Region 4 will all show western in what has been refered to as Zone 3, Region 2.5! During Sunday's show two dates were confirmed. Rutgers will host a double western show on Sunday, November 7th someplace in Sussex County, New Jersey while the USMA will host a double western show on Saturday, December 4th at Morgan Farm, in Highland Falls, New York. SUNY-New Paltz open rider Amanda Bender says she might be part of a two-person Hawks western team which would bring the total number of schools to at least seven.

What's next?: Three of the next four Region 3 hunter seat shows will be at Briarwood Farm. SUNY-New Paltz hosts on Sunday, October 17th. The entire region co-hosts the Region 3 "Halloween Extravaganza" on the 31st. After a show on Saturday, November 6th at Crosswinds Equestrian Center in LaGrangeville, New York (Vassar or Marist, or both, may be the official hosts) everyone heads back to Briarwood on Sunday, November 14th for another "All Region" show. The USMA closes out the fall schedule when they host at Centenary on Saturday, November 20th. With Centenary up by 29 points so early, the always-exciting race for Zone 2, Region 1...uh...Zone 3, Region 3 Reserve High Point Team honors has truly begun!

---Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Sunny skies, with a high temperature in the upper '60's. Start time: 8:48AM. Finish: 4:28PM - includes 51 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Perhaps Yes but not on this day. Judge: Michelle Morosky Promise, Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Stewards: S. Clark/State University of New York at New Paltz; Nussinow/Bard College; P. Cashman/United States Military Academy and Miller/Pace University.

Hunter Seat Team Totals: Centenary College (High Point Team) 45; Pace University (Reserve) 28; State University of New York at New Paltz 25; Marist College 24; William Paterson University 22; United States Military Academy 21; Drew University 15; Bard College 10; Stevens Institute of Technology 7; Vassar College 6 and Sarah Lawrence College 3.

High Point Rider - TIE: Marissa Cohen, Centenary College and Kathryn Haley, Centenary College.