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DELAWARE VALLEY EDGES WASHINGTON COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE IN REGION 2 SEASON OPENER Newtown, PA - The first Region 2 show of the year gave new meaning to the words "Fall Season." Nine riders came off their draws over the course of the eight hour show. No one was seriously hurt, and the majority of riders who fell went on to receive re-rides. When it was all over and the point sheets were revealed the defending Region 2 hunter seat champions had done it again. Despite only two blue ribbons all day, Delaware Valley College prevailed 33-32 over Washington College, and by three points over the University of Delaware. The aggies who won blue ribbons were Diane Rogers (in novice fences, the eleventh of twenty-three classes) and Rebecca Rodriguez (in walk-trot, the final class of the day). By contrast, Washington College had two riders with two firsts while the University of Delaware won seven classes. Each of the day's first six classes was won by riders from six different schools. Defending high point open rider Paige Hortman of Utah Valley State College jumped ahead of the field again, placing first in open fences and second to Rider's Nichole Fox in open flat while taking the early lead in the open rider standings. Other open riders with blue ribbons were Jessica Slade of the University of Delaware (first in open fences), Katie Carssow of the University of Pennsylvania (open flat) and University of Delaware freshman Kristina Christiansen, who won her debut IHSA Class in the final section of open flat. Intermediate jumping winners were Cara Beahm of Gettysburg and Tamara Agee of Franklin & Marshall (the latter a freshman from Leonia, New Jersey) while Emily Genther of Washington College and a pair of University of Delaware riders, Sharon Bryant and Megan Donohew, won intermediate flat sections. Some may have sensed that the Washington College shoremen were having a big day when Genther and Shannon Greer won sections of novice fences. Janine Rapone of the University of Delaware also won a novice fences class, giving the blue hens five blue ribbons in four different divisions at the time. Wildcats make IHSA debut, finish ahead of five others: When four sections of novice flat were complete, two more teams had their first blue ribbons of the day. One of the two had their first blue ribbon ever. Villanova made their IHSA debut on this day, with nine riders and six of the eight divisions filled. Marissa Bzik had the first ride (which resulted in fifth in intermediate fences), Emily Lawless was the first rider to be announced (second place in same section of intermediate fences as Bzik) and Katie Baranek was the first wildcat rider to win a class. Baranek was first in the second of four novice flat classes, joining Penn's Jess Schatz, West Chester's Erin Nolan and Greer as the day's novice flat blue ribbon winners. With the show running so late into the day there was no guarantee that teammates Genther and Greer would ride off for high point, so for the moment, the two were tied for the honor. Bucks not so small afterall: With all but three riders having received their associate's degrees last May, some may have thought Bucks County Community College would be a much smaller team this season. Head Coach Dee Jones had to be pleased that so many riders came out this season. Bucks had 15 riders at today's show, including Jessica Phillips, who was one of three riders to win a walk-trot-canter class. Susan Hale of Washington College won the first of two advanced walk-trot-canter classes while Allison Guarino of the University of Delaware won the only section of beginner walk-trot-canter. For the record, Bucks filled all but the two intermediate divisions on this day. Who are you?: Printing the Region 2 opening day program can often be problematic, as the Region only assigns numbers to new riders moments before the show starts. As a result, many riders in the program are listed without a number. Perhaps the most maddening class for those with a program was section 1A, the first of two walk-trot classes. None of the ten riders listed had a number, so knowing who was who required the aid of a supreme being! Ironically, the rider who won the class was not one of the ten riders listed. Elana Tolbert of the University of Delaware was only written in after another rider was scratched. Tolbert's teammate Caitlin Nichols was fifth. We only mention this as Nichols had never even attended a horse show of any kind before taking part in this one. If you really need to know, Tolbert wore number 294 and Nichols wore number 447. Use a crystal ball? The secret is in the cards!: When the point cards were made public following Rodriguez's first, Delaware Valley had won by a point. The secret of their success was that all eight of their pointed riders placed, while none of the other teams present with a full card were as fortunate. Though the plan was not to have a ride-off between Genther and Greer for high point rider, the Washington team stayed 'till the end in hope the ride-off would take place after all. In spite of the fact the show started at nine after nine in the morning, and that it was quarter to six when Rodriguez won the last official class for Del Val, shoremen Coach Phil Ake convinced those running the show to hold the ride-off. At 5:59PM it was all over. Genther (From Rock Hall, Maryland) had won over Greer (From Bowie, Maryland) for the nicer ribbon. Most lessons are shorter: The riders who took part in section 5A, the first of three intermediate flat classes certainly were not deprived of time in the seat. The class started at 11:55AM and ended at 12:39PM. The class was essentially run three times, as horses had to be pulled twice, and there was some debate, known only to the stewards, that created an additional delay before the second attempt to finish the class was completed. Genther won this section, perhaps making her victory in the ride-off that much more deserving. New kid on the block impresses: Four of the five alumni riders were returnees from last season's Region 2 shows. The only rider showing alumni for the first time was Virginia Tech graduate Blair Barbieri. The 2004 hokie graduate was second in both of the alumni divisions, while Arcadia graduate Amber Jewell won on the flat and Delaware Valley alum Jamie Mast won over fences. They must be pretty good: The University of Delaware normally has a rule in effect that freshmen are not allowed to ride at the first show of the season. The rule was created so the frosh have a chance to watch an IHSA show to get a feel for it, then compete in it. As it turned out, a small number of blue hen freshman (including Christiansen and Nichols) were allowed to compete this time. By contrast, Delaware Valley only used upperclassmen at today's show. According to Hunter Seat Head Coach Corey Kieschnick (who was Corey Herald the last time the aggies entered the ring), Delaware Valley has a large number of freshmen, though none will make their IHSA debuts until next Sunday at Worthmore Equestrian Center in Worton, Maryland. --Steve Maxwell Show Incidentals: Sunny skies, temperature in the high 70's. Open, Intermediate and Alumni Classes held outdoors. Other clases held under covered ring. Start time: 9:09AM. Finish: 5:59PM - includes a 42 minute Schooling Break. Coaches and Captains meeting held prior to the show. Point cards posted in this region? No. Alumni classes held in this Region? Yes. Judge: Pat Lockhart. Stewards: Kieschnick/Delaware Valley College, Vogt/University of Delaware, Morrone/University of Pennsylvania and Mast/Delaware Valley College (Mast AM only and Morrone PM only). Team Totals: Delaware Valley College (High Point Team) 33; Washington College (Reserve) 32; University of Delaware 30; University of Pennsylvania 20; Gettysburg College 16; Franklin & Marshall College 15; Villanova University 14; Bucks County Community College 13; Utah Valley State College 12; Arcadia University 11; West Chester University 9 and Rider University 8. High Point Rider - Emily Genther, Washington College
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