From Klickitat, Washington, United States Military Academy senior Aryn Davis (on left) won both of her intermediate western horsemanship classes on December 4th. USMA Head Coach Peter Cashman (on right) saw his Black Knights split two contests with Centenary College but take the overall lead through four shows.

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, CENTENARY SPLIT PAIR OF WESTERN SHOWS

Lafayette, NJ - It was one of those late fall days in the hills of Northwest New Jersey when snow flurries occur in golden sunshine. Temperatures held steady between the low and mid '30's throughout the day. The ground refused to thaw, forcing all classes to be held within the AW Performance Horses indoor.

Two western shows were held at AW on this chily day, with the first show started and finished in two hours and eight minutes while the second was completed in two hours flat. Despite the second show clocking in at a faster pace there was an additional class in the afternoon contest, owing to a split of one section of intermediate western horsemanship into two.

Between the two of them they earned five blue ribbons on December 4th. Randi Cashman (on left) won all four of her open classes while Centenary College teammate Lauren Bender (on right) won her novice western class during the first show. The Cyclones scored 33 points during the afternoon show, the top score of any western team in this region through four shows.

Though it was listed otherwise on this website prior to today's show, the defending Zone 2, Region 1 western region champion United States Military Academy was tied with Centenary College at 54 points apiece headed into the first of two meets. After three classes the Black Knights were trailing the Cyclones. Randi Cashman, a senior from Highland Falls, New York continued to be a thorn in the side of her parents. USMA Coaches Peter and Sherry Cashman have watched their daughter ride for Centenary for over three seasons, and so far Randi has finished atop her region's open rider standings each season and leads again after a perfect four-for-four day. Between Randi's wins in open reining and open western horsemanship was the first of two sections of walk-jog. Amy Priest, a sophomore from Budd Lake, New Jersey won this section which was also her IHSA western debut (Only two weeks earlier Priest made her IHSA hunter seat debut). Christine Jordan of USMA was second to Priest.

Alumni western horsemanship followed, with 2007 American University graduate Lana Ciaramella receiving the blue ribbon. Peggy Leonowich-Graham, a 1984 USMA graduate who was perhaps refreshed from a recent visit to Walt Disney World, placed second while 2010 Stevens Institute of Technology alum Jamie Fishbein was third.

The second section of walk-jog went to Kimberly Reilly of Kutztown University. A senior from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Reilly was picked first in a field of only four riders by judge Gary Thomas over another senior, Centenary's Jen Washel. The USMA finally earned a blue ribbon as Sabrina Szabo won the first section of advanced western. A senior from Smithton, Pennsylvania, Szabo was also tops in a field of four. Kristin Meligari, a Rutgers University senior from Glen Gardner, New Jersey who is also captain of the Scarlet Knights' western team, was the red ribbon winner.

The largest class of the day was the only section of intermediate western horsemanship I held during the first show. At least eight and perhaps nine riders took part, with the USMA winning their second class in a row. Aryn Davis, a senior from Klickitat, Washington won for the Black Knights while Melissa Morse, a Centenary freshman from Glen Ridge, New Jersey was second. USMA's mini-win streak was halted at two, as Montana Blum of Kutztown University won the first of two sections of novice western. A sophomore from Owings Mills, Maryland Blum finished one placing ahead of Centenary's Devon Simone in a field of sevent entries.

Though Montana Blum is Jewish, the Kutztown sophomore was happy to acknowledge the Christmas tree located in the AW Performance Horses office. It was a very happy fourth day of Chanukah for Blum, who won her novice western horsemanship class during the first show. The Golden Bears scored a season-high 21 points during the AM event.

The State University of New York at New Paltz team went undefeated during the first show, marking the second time this season that the Hawks could make this claim. Amanda Bender, a senior coincidentally from New Paltz, New York won the second section of advanced western. Seeing as Bender is the only New Paltz western rider she earned the maximum possible amount of points (seven) for the Hawks. Peter Cashman (who on paper is the SUNY-New Paltz western coach) had high praise for Bender's patterns both today and on November 7th. Bender, who two seasons ago was fourth at IHSA Nationals in individual intermediate over fences, decided to give western a try this season. with a second in the afternoon show, Bender finished the day with 21 points in advanced through four shows. Bender edged out Missy Cohen of Centenary, the current Zone 3, Region 3 leader in the Cacchione Cup standings thus relegated to a red ribbon here.

Centenary earned their first blue ribbon since Cashman in open rail as Lauren Bender won the penultimate class of the first show. A senior from Fresno, California who is not related to Amanda Bender of SUNY-New Paltz, Bender won the second section of novice western for the Cyclones. Kaylie Olsen of Kutztown was the runner-up. The final class of the first show was unusual in that it was made up of riders from only two schools. The lone section of intermediate western horsemanship II contained four Kutztown riders and two from the USMA. When it was over Jessica Huggins, a senior from Advance, North Carolina had advanced the USMA into first place for the moment. Huggins won the intermediate II while Alexa MacCartney was second for Kutztown. The USMA won the first show with 31 points, beating out Centenary's 26 for the reserve championship. Kutztown, which had scored 11 and 7, respectively at the first shows, more than doubled their total by earning 21 for third place. Stevens scored 15, Rutgers 7, SUNY-New Paltz 7 and Bloomsburg University (who were without three riders listed in the program, including open rider Kayla Swartz who was high point rider at one of the two shows held November 7th) 3 points. While Cashman was high point rider for the second time in three tries their was a three way tie for reserve high point rider. The Woronowicz sisters, Reggie and Roberta, who are from Bellvue, Washington and whom ride for the USMA, earned eight points as did Kate Crane of Stevens. Crane, a senior from Simsbury, Connecticut earned the Duck's top ribbon of the AM event with a second in open reining while placing fourth in open horsemanship. Roberta Woronowicz, the younger of the sisters (a freshman) swapped places with Crane while Reggie (a senior) was third in both open classes. The reserve ribbon was given to Crane, though technically the tie was not broken. The USMA was ahead of Centenary by an 85-80 margin for 58 minutes, as this was the length of the break between the AM and PM events.

Stevens institute of Technology senior Kate Crane (center) holds the reserve high point rider ribbon from the AM show while posing with her Ducks teammates in front of 'Tabitha.' 2010 Stevens graduate Laura Goodman (not pictured) drove many of the Ducks to the show inside Tabitha, which is the name she has chosen for her Mercury Sable. The author's Saturn Aura does not have a name but the front bumper of his car can be seen at the far left. And Jamie Fishbein (third from left, next to Crane) was a winner in alumni western during show two.

Show two started exactly as show one had, with Randi Cashman the first rider into the ring. A short time later Cashman had once again been selected to receive a blue ribbon. This time however the Judge was Dave Thomas, Gary's brother (in the program Gary was listed as show two judge, with Dave doing the honors in the first. However in reality the Thomas brothers judged in the opposite order). Roberta Woronowicz was second in this section of open reining.

Morgan Tucker, a USMA freshman from College Station, Texas won the first of two sections of walk-jog (or beginner western horsemanship as many know it). Tucker was the only freshman to win a blue ribbon at either of today's events. Kelsey Bollinger earned Bloomsburg's top ribbon of the day with a second here. The placings for open western horsemanship were the same as in open reining a few minutes earlier, with Randi first, Roberta second, Kate third and Reggie fourth. Thus Randi was assured of another high point rider ribbon while Roberta would be reserve outright this time.

The placings for alumni western horsemanship were reversed from show one. Fishbein won, earning the only blue ribbon of the day for a current or former Stevens undergrad. Leonowich-Graham, whose daughter was on-hand to watch through the glass window in the AW office, was second while Ciaramella was third. Though she did not win today Leonowich-Graham continues to lead the alumni horsemanship standings, now with 24 while Ciaramella has 21 and Fishbein 19.

Though Priest had been in the first section of beginner western horsemanship during the first show she was in the second section this time. Priest was pointed this time (Washel pointed up with her second earlier) and remained undefeated for the day. Furthermore the Cyclones had 21 points through three divisions and had a big lead over the USMA in show two at this point. Cohen, a senior from West Chester, Pennsylvania, swapped places with Amanda Bender in advanced western horsemanship section A, giving Centenary riders wins in each of the divisions in show two which had at least one Centenary rider entered.

Jena Fass (on left) and Kelly Mae Steimle (on right) of Rutgers University pose with Scarlet Knights Western Coach Charlie Transue. Both Fass (in intermediate) and Steimle (in walk-jog) entered the day qualified for Regionals.

The first of two sections of intermediate I went to Cadie Steele of the USMA. A sophomore who rode in 2008-09 but not during 2009-10, Steele was the first of four USMA riders to win a blue ribbon during the second show. Washel, a senior from Warrington, Pennsylvania, repeated her second place showing from the first show but at a higher level. Davis repeated her blue ribbon performance to become the only USMA rider to win twice on December 4th. Mandy Ohlandt of Centenary was second to Davis in the second and final section of intermediate I.

Debbie Smith, a Centenary sophomore from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania ended the USMA win streak at two, finishing above six others in the first of two sections of novice. Devin Redding of the USMA was second. Melissa Brown, a junior from Whitehall, Pennsylvania provided Kutztown with their final blue ribbon of the day. Brown won the second and final section of advanced while Cassie Messina of Rutgers was second.

The USMA closed the gap during the second section of novice. Kalen Larsen, a junior from North Stonington, Connecticut won class 13B for the Black Knights. Jessica Webster, a Rutgers junior from Estell Manor, New Jersey was second, giving the Scarlet Knights back-to-back red ribbons for the only time all day. With no Centenary rider above fourth in this particular class the USMA still had a shot to drive back to West Point with the overall lead, though Centenary appeared to have the second show won.

The final class of the day was the lone section of intermediate II. Once again four Kutztown and two USMA riders went at it, with the USMA again claiming the blue ribbon. However it was not Huggins but rather Joseph Curtin claiming the blue ribbon for the Black Knights. A sophomore from Stanley, New Mexico, Curtin was first while Alyssa Piccoli of Kutztown was second. A freshman from Media, Pennsylvania, Piccoli finished one place ahead of teammate Erica Franklin, who gets a mention here as the senior from Clark's Summit, Pennsylvania took her first-ever western lesson a day earlier!

Curtin's win helped the USMA finish with 32 points, equaling their high total at the first of two shows on November 7th. However Centenary scored 33 points to hang on for high point team honors. Stevens with third, scoring 18 with a full card yet no rider above third in an undergraduate class. Rutgers moved up slightly from the first show to score 9, Bloomsburg also had 9 (Emily Wohl of the Huskies was third behind Smith and Redding to add four points to Bollinger's five), Kutztown had 8 and SUNY-New Paltz 5. The USMA goes into the winter break leading Centenary by a narrow 117-113 margin.

Jessica Huggins of the United States Military Academy alerted us that she has a habit of squinting during photographs. The senior from Advance, North Carolina (who wore traditional english boots under her chaps which is why she looks half western and half english here) won the intermediate western horsemanship class which concluded the first show. The USMA won that show 31-26 over Centenary but lost the second one to the Cyclones 33-32.

No Leopards in Lafayette: Though they were listed as having one rider entered in the front of the program, and one more where the classes themselves were listed, the Lafayette Leopards did not compete at today's show coincidentally in Lafayette, New Jersey.

What's Next?: A fifth show makes everything legal for the season, and Stevens Institute is considering hosting a single western show at North Jersey Equestrian Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey on Sunday, February 13th. Centenary College also discussed their desire to hold a double-western show at some point in early 2011. Kutztown mentioned the possibility that they could hold a double western show sometime in early 2011 and if this happens it would be at Saddlebrook Stables in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania (convenient to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extention). None of these shows is set in stone however, though Stevens has the inside track in that they hosted an event at the same facility last season and that their show has an actual date attached.

What is in a name?: Zone 3, Region 3 and Zone 3, Region 4 are obviously separate hunter seat regions, but starting this season are one region for western. There was talk of calling this region Zone 3, Region 2.5 prior to the start of the season, but ultimately this region seems to be identified on the official IHSA website as Zone 3, Region 3/4. Though the spring show schedule is not yet set for Region 3/4 everyone involved knows that riders who survive Regionals (and the top western team in the region) will advance to Semifinals in Findlay, Ohio on Saturday, March 26th and Sunday, March 27th. This will be the fifth season for the semifinal format and the third time the University of Findlay has hosted a semifinal event. Other Semifinal sites for March 2011 are Canyon, Texas (where West Texas A & M will host semi's for the third time) and Springfield, Missouri (the first-ever semifinal event hosted by Missouri State University). Along with Zone 2, Region 3 (located in Central and Eastern Upstate New York), Zone 3, Region 3/4 is one of only two regions east of the Ohio/Pennsylvania border (and north of South Carolina) to make the comparatively short journey to Findlay for their semifinal competition.

---Steve Maxwell

Show One Show Incidentals: Overcast skies with occasional breaks of sun and snow flurries. Temperatures in the low '30's. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 9:31AM. Finish: 11:39AM. Coaches and Captains Meeting held after show. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Gary Thomas. Stewards: S. Cashman/United States Military Academy; P. Cashman/United States Military Academy and Gregonis/Centenary College.

Western Team Totals: United States Military Academy (High Point Team) 31; Centenary College (Reserve) 26; Kutztown University 21; Stevens Institute of Technology 15; State University of New York at New Paltz 7; Rutgers University 7 and Bloomsburg University 3.

High Point Rider - Randi Cashman, Centenary College
Reserve High Point Rider - TIE between Kate Crane, Stevens Institute of Technology; Reggie Woronowitz, United States Military Academy and Roberta Woronowitz, United States Military Academy

Show Two Show Incidentals: Partly sunny skies, with temperatures in the mid '30's. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 12:37PM. Finish: 2:37PM. Coaches & Captains Meeting held before the show. Judge: Dave Thomas. Same Stewards as during show one.

Western Team Totals: Centenary College (High Point Team) 33; United States Military Academy (Reserve) 32; Stevens Institute of Technology 18; Bloomsburg University 9; Rutgers University 9; Kutztown University 8 and State University of New York at New Paltz 5.

High Point Rider - Randi Cashman, Centenary College
Reserve High Point Rider - Roberta Woronowitz, United States Military Academy