Brittany Denton had the proverbial 'Perfect Day' at Zone 4 Zones on April 1st. In her three rides the Virginia Intermont sophomore from Atlanta won team open flat, team open fences and individual open fences.

VIRGINIA INTERMONT HOLDS LEAD THROUGHOUT, HEADS TO NATIONALS WITH MOMENTUM

(Though their proper name is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, they are known to most throughout the world simply as "Virginia Tech." And in the sports world they are often known simply as "The Hokies." The Hokie is a big Turkey-like creature which serves as the Virginia Tech Mascot. The Hokie Bird in fact made an appearance at Zone 4 Zones on April 1st, this according to Shelby Clark of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team, who has prepared a story about Zone 4 Zones which Campus Equestrian has posted for your enjoyment - Editor)

Blacksburg, VA - Zone 4 Finals were held April 1st, 2007 at Virginia Tech’s Alphin-Stuart Arena. This was Virginia Tech’s first time hosting a show of this magnitude.

Seen here with Assistant Coach Rae Holbrook, Goucher College sophomore Julie Fink (right) won the second class of the day, individual intermediate fences. Fink later snapped Virginia Intermont's string of victories in the team classes by snaring first in intermediate flat. Goucher survived Zones to take a full team to IHSA Nationals for the first time.

The events began before the show, Saturday night, with a pre-show Virginia Tech Equestrian Team alumni banquet, which all Zone 4 teams were invited to attend. Well over one-hundred guests came out to this event and enjoyed a great meal, social atmosphere and music at the Blacksburg Country Club.

The Zone 4 Finals kicked-off with a grand entrance from the Virginia Tech color guard presenting the colors of our nation while Jonathan Matthews, a member of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Club, lead riders and guests in our national anthem. Virginia Tech’s own mascot, the Hokie Bird, also made an appearance to welcome guests from near and far and pose for pictures with the crowd.

At 10:00 AM classes began with the Individual Open Equitation on the Flat. Heading to the Intercollegiate Horse Show (IHSA) National Championship Show representing that division are Champion Katie Furches of Hollins University and Reserve Champion Lauren Hill of North Carolina State University. The top two riders from each division will compete at the IHSA National Show scheduled for May 3rd – 6th in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Other individual riders from Zone 4 that will be packing their bags and heading to Massachusetts include: Erin Richardson (UMW) Zone 4 Champion Intermediate Equitation on the Flat, Kathryn Clapp (UVA) Reserve Champion of Intermediate Equitation on the Flat, Kristen Stinson (VI) Champion Novice Equitation on the Flat, Kristen Ackerson (RMWC) Reserve Champion Equitation on the Flat, Brittany Denton (VI) Champion Open Over Fences, Jessica Van Brocklin (UMW) Reserve Champion Open Over Fences, Julie Fink (Goucher) Champion Intermediate Over Fences, Jen Cumming (VI) Reserve Champion Intermediate Over Fences, Kristina Macey (VI) Champion Novice Over Fences, Lindsey Woodburn of the home school, Virginia Tech, Reserve Champion Novice Over Fences, Kylie Bell (NCSU) Champion Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation, Meridith Hurd (Goucher College) Reserve Champion Walk/Trot/Canter, Susan Martelle (UNC – Charlotte) Champion Walk/Trot, and Maggie Woodward (College of WM) Reserve Champion Walk/Trot.

The home team sends one to Springfield. Virginia Tech junior Lindsey Woodburn placed second in individual novice fences. Riders from Region 3 faired the best individually, with half the 16 riders who advanced to IHSA Nationals coming from the southernmost region within Zone 4 (Photo courtesty Shelby Clark).

In regards to teams, Goucher College was the Region 1 team competing in the Collegiate Cup Classes for a spot at IHSA Nationals. Hollins University was representing Region 2 in the Collegiate Cup Classes while Virginia Intermont was riding for Region 3. The top two teams were destined to progress to Nationals. Virginia Intermont led throughout, winning the first four Collegiate Cup Classes and reserving their spot at Nationals for an eighth consecutive season. The third time was truly the charm for Goucher, as the Gophers had been the odd team out their previous two appearences at Zone 4 Zones. Goucher was Reserve Champion and will also progress to Nationals.

On behalf over Virginia Tech, our team would like to extend a huge congratulation to all riders and wish the best of luck to all who will be continuing on to compete at Nationals. Virginia Tech would also like to thank everyone who helped make this large, important show such a great success including all coaches, teams, alumni, volunteers, donors, and horses.

--Shelby Clark

A few more facts: Virginia Intermont finished second to Hollins at 2005 Zones but still won Nationals by four points over Mount Holyoke...Since Eddie Federwisch took over at Virginia Intermont at the start of the 1995-96 season only the 1997-98 and 1998-99 Hollins teams denied him a Region Championship. This took place before Region 3 was created prior to the start of the 1999-2000 season...Since Region 3 was created, VI and Federwisch have won all eight Region Championships...The 1998 Hollins team were National Champions...Virginia Intermont won back-to-back National Championships in 2004 and 2005.

Class-by-Class Results from 2007 Zone 4 Zones In Blacksburg, Virginia, with the top two riders in each individual class advancing to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th in Springfield, Massachusetts:

Individual Open Equitation on the Flat: 1. Katie Furches, Hollins University. 2. Lauren Hill, North Carolina State University. 3. Patti Ann Thornton, Bridgewater College. 4. Whitney Roper, University of Virginia. 5. Ashlynd Peters, Virginia Intermont College. 6. Jonathan Cohen, Goucher College. 7. Brittany Yates, University of Richmond. 8. Brooke Weidenbenner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 9. Jessica Van Brocklin, University of Mary Washington.

Individual Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Julie Fink, Goucher College. 2. Jennifer Cumming, Virginia Intermont College. 3. Aly Sanderford, Hollins University. 4. Ashley Nelson, Radford University. 5. Kellyn Schlesinger, Hollins University. 6. Sarah Wooley, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 7. Lauren Fisher, Elon University.

Individual Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Brittany Denton, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Jessica Van Brocklin, University of Mary Washington. 3. Whitney Roper, University of Virginia. 4. Lauren Hill, North Carolina State University. 5. Lauren Campbell, University of Mary Washington. 6. Brittany Martin, Goucher College. 7. Lauren Widner, Wake Forest University. 8. Betsy Christianson, Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 9. Katie Furches, Hollins University.

Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Jessica May, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Mandy Lynch, Hollins University. 3. Boo Geisse, Goucher College.

Team Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Brittany Denton, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Brittany Martin, Goucher College. 3. Katie Furches, Hollins University.

Individual Intermediate Equitation on the Flat: 1. Erin Richardson, University of Mary Washington. 2. Kathryn Clapp, University of Virginia. 3. Lauren Fisher, Elon University. 4. Susan Wilson, Virginia Tech. 5. Jessie Guter, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 6. Allison Carr, Sweet Briar College. 7. Kellyn Schlesinger, Hollins University. 8. Ashley Stewart, Goucher College. 9. Bradley Bounds, University of Mary Washington.

Team Open Equitation on the Flat: 1. Brittany Denton, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Jonathan Cohen, Goucher College. 3. Katie Furches, Hollins University.

Individual Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Kristina Macey, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Lindsey Woodburn, Virginia Tech. 3. Kristen Ackerson, Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 4. Katie Johnson, James Madison University. 5. Mandy Lynch, Hollins University. 6. Alyse Schuver, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Team Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Jessica Warner, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Paige Briddell, Hollins University. 3. Emily Berkowitz, Goucher College.

Team Intermediate Equitation on the Flat: 1. Julie Fink, Goucher College. 2. Jessica May, Virginia Intermont College. 3. Mandy Lynch, Hollins University.

Individual Walk-Trot Equitation on the Flat: 1. Susan Martelle, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 2. Maggie Woodward, College of William & Mary. 3. Cassie Ralston, Virginia Intermont College. 4. Brittany Herzog, George Mason University. 5. Keely Comstock, Hollins University. 6. Kathryn George, Washington & Lee University. 7. Lauren Titus, North Carolina State University. 8. Jenna Allen, Goucher College.

Team Walk-Trot Equitation on the Flat: 1. Nina Sysko, Goucher College. 2. Jamie King, Virginia Intermont College. 3. Stephanie Ostericher, Hollins University.

Individual Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation on the Flat: 1. Kylie Bell, North Carolina State University. 2. Meredith Hurd, Goucher College. 3. Jocelyn Willbanks, Bridgewater College. 4. Ashley Bailor, Saint Mary's College (MD). 5. Amy Tsai, Duke University. 6. Briana Van Audenhove, Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 7. Ashley Winn, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 8. Rachel Martinez, Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 9. Jessica Jenkins, Goucher College.

Team Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation on the Flat: 1. Jennifer Kelly, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Sarah Ashby, Goucher College. 3. Shannon Sarkozy, Hollins University.

Individual Novice Equitation on the Flat: 1. Kristen Stinson, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Kristen Ackerson, Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 3. Alana Noritake, College of William & Mary. 4. Veronica Bruce, University of Maryland. 5. Erin Skog, Lynchburg College. 6. Kara Duffle, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 7. Sarah Gay Bennett, Wake Forest University. 8. Brynne Archer, Washington & Lee University. 9. Barbara Bonner, Christopher Newport University.

Team Novice Equitation on the Flat: 1. Julianne Wilson, Virginia Intermont College. 2. Sarah Pandolfini, Goucher College. 3. Mallory Potock, Hollins University.

Final Hunter Seat Team Totals, with the top two teams advancing to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th In Springfield, Massachusetts: Virginia Intermont College 52, Goucher College 42 and Hollins University 34.