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WILLIAM & MARY WINS FINAL REGULAR SEASON SHOW WHILE GOUCHER CAPTURES REGION TITLE Towson, MD - If you have never been to a Zone 4, Region 1 show you might be surprised to see that 16 different schools are members of the region. In 2011-12 only Zone 5, Region 3 could claim more schools coast-to-coast (and Zone 5, Region 3 will be splitting in 2012-13). Further examination of the March 31st University of Maryland at Baltimore County show program bears out that there were a total of 20 undergraduate classes. As some may have guessed, if there are 16 schools but only 20 classes there is probably some limiting of entries. Save for the second of two open flat classes (which was made up of only five riders) every undergraduate class had between six and ten riders participating. Many of the riders who were entered at the UMBC show (held on the campus of Goucher College) needed less than seven points to qualify for Regionals. It was the proverbial 'point chaser' show, as the race for region champion team was all but assured of going to the school with the shortest commute. Goucher College entered the day needing only two points to mathematically clinch their fifth region title in program history. There was one bit of intrigue for the Gophers as teammates Karli Postel and Amory Brandt went into the final day of the regular season separated by only five points in the Region 1 open rider standings. Both riders were entered only once at today's show, with Postel going in the second section of open flat two classes before Brandt's open fences round. Postel would need only three points in open flat to clinch. The junior from Newbury Park, California won section 7B outright, clinching her first-ever IHSA Nationals ride as the Region 1 Cacchione Cup representative while also giving Goucher a mathematical lock-up of the region title. Brandt would do well a short time later as the senior from Saratoga, California was second. The final margin was 75-68 between the two Californians. However for the day Goucher finished behind four schools while tieing with two others at 24 points each. The high point team was the College of William & Mary with 31 points while both Christopher Newport University and George Washington University scored 29 each to tie for Reserve High Point. St. Mary's College of Maryland was next with 26 while the University of Mary Washington and the University of Maryland (College Park) were equal to Goucher at 24.
It was the first high point team award for William & Mary this season. The Tribe have thrived in calendar year 2012, scoring 30, 34 and 31 points at the three region 1 spring shows (William & Mary's combined 95 points are second only to Goucher over that time). Madison Hannon (a senior, from Richmond, Virginia) and Chelsea Higgins (a freshman, from Charlottesville, Virginia) led the way for the Tribe. Hannon won her intermediate flat while Higgins was a winner in advanced walk-trot-canter. Junior Cricket Clayton was second in novice flat. William & Mary won with a very economical roster at today's show as the Tribe had seven riders entered in nine classes (only the advanced walk-trot-canter saw two William & Mary riders compete). Christopher Newport University made program history not by earning a tie for reserve high point team honors but for finishing the entire season in second place overall. The Captains finished the season with 225 points, trailing only Goucher with 268. This snapped a streak going back to the 2006-07 season, as either Goucher or the University of Mary Washington had been first or second every season through 2010-11. Prior to the 2006-07 season Sweet Briar College was in the region and the Vixens in fact won the Zone 4, Region 1 region title in '06 before moving into Zone 4, Region 2. If you go further back you can find other current Region 2 schools finishing first or second (such as the University of Virginia) but not once will you find Christopher Newport so high up in the standings. At today's show the Captains were led by Ashley McFadden. A sophomore from Malvern, Pennsylvania, McFadden won her novice flat while finishing third in novice fences to qualify for the reserve ride-off. Seniors Ryan Tiedemann (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Karin Dyer (in the lone section of walk-trot) were red ribbon winners. Christopher Newport scored 29 points even through they did not have an intermediate flat rider on their point card. George Washington University tied Christopher Newport at 29 for the day. Kate Watson (junior, Dudley, Massachusetts) won the second of two sections of intermediate fences while Sisi Ruan (from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, who will graduate in December of 2012) won the walk-trot class which ended the day. Though not entered in the division when the program was printed, Maddie Dennis-Yates was a game-day substitution for a scratch in novice fences. Dennis-Yates was second in section 4B which was made up of ten riders.
St. Mary's College of Maryland scored 26 points without the benefit of a walk-trot rider. Anna Weaver, a senior from Mount Airy, Maryland won the Seahawk's only blue ribbon of the day with a first in section 6A of intermediate fences. Weaver was third in the open flat class which started the day, making her part of the ride-off for Reserve. Senior Kate Piret was second to Postel in open flat while sophomore Amanda Bobbitt was second in novice fences. The Seahawks finished the season with 166 points, good enough for seventh overall within Region 1. The University of Maryland was one of three schools to score 24 points. The Terps were led by Jessica Leonard (junior, Davidsonville, Maryland), who won section A of open fences over Brandt while placing third behind Postel and Piret in open fences. Leonard was yet another rider to qualify for the reserve ride-off. Candace Butler (sophomore, Westminster, Maryland) won the first section of advanced walk-trot-canter. Two Terps were red ribbon winners. Sophomore Leandra Bitterfeld was second to Watson in intermediate fences while sophomore Chelsea Kahn-Deere was second in the only section of beginner walk-trot-canter. The University of Mary Washington scored 24 points. Emila Sanchez ended her IHSA undergradute era on a high note. The senior from Fredericksburg, Virginia won her intermediate flat for the Eagles only blue ribbon of the day. Junior Haley Cook was second to Weaver in intermediate fences while sophomore Alyssa Zarzecki was second in the fourth and final section of novice flat.
Though they were not the host school, Goucher College closed out the 2011-12 regular season in their own ring with a surprisingly low 24 points (the Gopher's previous low this season was 36 at the second of two Mary Washington shows in February). One reason for this was that several riders who scored well in the fall may have been held out of the final show to keep them from pointing up, thus affecting their status for team class rides at Zones scheduled for one week later. Charlotte Kellogg (senior, Pennington, New Jersey) won Goucher's only other blue ribbon aside from Postel while Lisa Taylor (from Baltimore) won the Gopher's only other red ribbon aside from Brandt. Both accomplished this in separate sections of novice flat. Of Goucher's eight riders entered at today's show at least six were seniors. Several other schools (such as George Washington) also attempted to get as many seniors into what was likely their final IHSA show as an undergraduate. George Mason University was one of two schools to score 22 points. The Patriots earned three blue ribbons, the most of any team entered at today's event. Katie Mundie (freshman, Omaha, Nebraska) and Stuart McDonald (sophomore, Richmond, Virginia) won back-to-back sections of novice flat while Matt Stough (sophomore, Springfield, Virginia) won the lone section of beginner walk-trot-canter. Junior Allison Bolton was second in advanced walk-trot-canter while junior Carly Ziegler was second in intermediate flat. From Centerville, Virginia, Ziegler qualified for Regionals with her red ribbon, though she was already slated to compete having pointed out of novice fences. Half of the 16 schools did not have a walk-trot rider entered, including George Mason. The Patriots tied the University of Maryland at 159 points for the season, which equaled eighth place. Mount St. Mary's University tied their season high with 22 points (the Mountaineers scored 22 points at the February 19th Mary Washington show, thus the two high scores were in consecutive events). Amanda Lane, a sophomore from Westminster, Maryland won both of her open classes to earn high point rider honors outright. These wins actually gave the Mountaineers the early lead through two divisions. No other rider MSM rider reached the top two. The Mountaineers had a walk-trot rider but were without a walk-trot-canter rider.
The University of Richmond finished the year sixth overall with 174 points after scoring 21 today. Caroline Elia had the Spiders in first place for about ten minutes after the junior from Columbus, Ohio won the section of open flat which started the day. Freshman Erin Flynn was second to Mundie in novice flat. Richmond was hampered slighty in that they did not have a rider entered in either intermediate division. Randolph-Macon College scored 20 points, their second-best total during their inaugural season. Sierra Wangensteen (junior, Charlottesville, Virginia) won the Yellow Jackets' only blue ribbon of the day with a first in novice fences. Junior Emily Watt started the day by placing second to Elia in open flat. Watt is a two-sport athlete at Randolph-Macon, as she also is a member of the Yellow Jackets' field hockey team. Had their walk-trot rider not been a scratch Randolph-Macon would have had a full point card. The Yellow Jackets (two words) finished with 104 points for the season, enough to place them ahead of five other Region 1 schools. Towson University scored 16 points without riders in three divisions. It was not until their final rider competed that the Tigers earned a top-two ribbon. Kelly Obendorfer, a sophomore from Demascus, Maryland who was one of several Towson riders added to the program the morning of the show, was second in the third section of advanced walk-trot-canter.
American University had five riders entered across seven divisions. American scored 15 points, one shy of their season high. Meredith Meadoway, a sophomore from Cherry Hill, New Jersey was second to Sanchez in the first section of intermediate flat. American scored 65 points for the season, up from 53 a year ago and without showing at the first Region 1 competition of the season. Three teams tied with 11 points each. Georgetown University scored their 11 points without riders in three divisions, but to their credit the Hoyas still had six riders entered including three in open flat. Of the three open flat riders Sophia Topulos (senior, Boston, Massachusetts) faired the best, finishing second to Elia in the first class of the day. Host University of Maryland at Baltimore County had riders in half the divisions. Remarkably the hosts earned two blue ribbons, as many as high point team William & Mary. Drew Duhan (sophomore, Owings Mills, Maryland) won his novice fences class while Hannah Wyper (junior, Catonsville, Maryland) won her advanced walk-trot-canter two classes later. The Retrievers tied their season high 11 points, previously scored when Goucher hosted at the same facility the first weekend in October. Hood College had but three riders entered over four divisions. Junior Augusta Spandler was third in a novice fences class made up of nine riders. With the additional four points Spandler qualified for Regionals in the division. Hood tied their season high with 11 points.
The Alumni divisions were also limited. Only five riders were entered in alumni flat while a mere three were in alumni fences. Of the five entered in alumni flat only 2007 Virginia Tech graduate Kristen Marley had a chance to qualify for Regionals. Marley needed a third or better to reach 28 points and be assured of a ride at Hazelwild Farm the next day. Two of the three riders in alumni fences were hoping to get in. Former University of Richmond rider (and former coach) Sarah Thompson needed only two points, and with the class made up of three Thompson needed only to stay on and get around without three refusals to clinch. Former Sweet Briar College rider Erica Palmisano was already at exactly 28 points in alumni flat but needed a win in alumni fences to get to Regionals a second time. The alumni flat was won by Marley, which gave her the most alumni flat points for the season of any Region 1 alumni. Sarah Thompson was second, 2008 Hood graduate Elizabeth Hummel was third, 1990 Penn State graduate Iyna Adams was fourth and 2011 Hood graduate Amy Thompson (no relation to Sarah) was fifth. This last flat class raised Sarah Thompson's total to 18, not enough to qualify on the flat but enough to place her third for the season behind Marley (with 31), Palmisano (28) and 2004 Virginia Tech Mara Thayer (also at 28). Adams tied former Longwood College rider Kristin Van Derlaske at 11 points for the season. The alumni fences went to Thayer, who had 20 points over the jumps entering the day which meant she was mathematically out before the class started. Palmisano was second which meant she was also out, trailing Thayer 27-26. Thompson was third to jump everyone. Thompson finished with 30 alumni fences points, one more than Marley who was already qualified. Van Derlaske finished with 20 alumni fences points, putting her in the top five in both the flat and fences even though she did not compete on March 31st. The Ride-Off: With Lane having already clinched high point rider honors the combination of Leonard, McFadden and Weaver each took to the ring for the reserve high point rider ride-off. Eventually everyone was lined up and Weaver was choosen as the best of the three. Though she is a senior and this was her final regular season show it marked the first time in four years of IHSA competition that Weaver had taken part in a ride-off of any kind! Veni! Vidi! Vici!: Nearly every page of the show program had the phrase "Veni! Vidi! Vici!" in the lower right-hand corner. For those needing a translation this was what Julius Caesar said after a victorius war in 47 BC: "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!"
Awards given out during a short break: Though Region 1 shows usually run uninterupted once they start, there was a short break to present two awards, one of which is usually presented during Regionals. The Lauren Burns Memorial Sportsmanship Award is presented in memory of the former College of William & Mary rider who was President of the Tribe Equestrian Team during the 2004-05 season. A sheet given out in the team entry packets explains the award... "The Lauren Burns Memorial Sportsmanship Award is given annually by the coaches of Zone 4, Region 1 to recognize the student each competition year which best represents the spirit of intercollegiate competition, sportsmanship and teamwork. In the spring semester, based on these criteria, a coach or a student represented by a coach may nominate a student from a Region 1 team other than their own, by submitting a brief paragraph describing the candidate. After all nominees have been considered the coaches will collectively select the recipient and the winner will be announced at Regionals. An engraved silver trophy will be provided by the Region President and awarded to the recipient." The same sheet explains in great detail much about Lauren Burns time at William & Mary prior to her untimely passing in an auto accident in 2006. William & Mary Coach Karen Greenwood states that Burns "...often encouraged riders who were uncertain to 'go out for the team'" and that Burns "appreciated every animal for what it could teach her." Burns "enjoyed studying the environment and ornithology but mostly she enjoyed sharing her love of animals, nature and the outdoors with her family, friends and college teammates." The 2012 nominees were Joey Fink of Goucher College, Kate Piret of St. Mary's College, Sophia Topulos of Georgetown University, Erika Rensen of George Washington University and Lauren Bittle of the University of Maryland (College Park). The winner turned out to be Topulos, a one-time University of Pennsylvania rider who transfered to Georgetown and competed for the Hoyas at 2011 Zones. Also given out was the 'Coaches Sportsmanship' award. The 2012 recipient was Goucher Head Coach Patte Zumbrun.
For some, three shows in eight days: The March 31st UMBC show was in fact the last IHSA regular-season show of any kind nationwide for the 2011-12 season. One day later Regionals took place at Hazelwild Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the home of the University of Mary Washington team. The top two in each division at Regionals survived to compete six days later at Zone 4 Zones back on the campus of Goucher College. As region champion Goucher also had a full hunter seat team in the team competition. Three Region 1 undergraduates advanced individually through Zones to Nationals on April 7th. George Mason's Stough won the individual walk-trot while St. Mary's College senior Mallory Knott was second in individual walk-trot-canter and University of Mary Washington junior Kathleen Wallace was second in individual novice over fences. Sarah Thompson won the alumni fences while Palmisano was second in alumni flat. And Goucher won the team competition, defeating St. Andrews University 45-43. The Gophers won three of the first four team classes, with junior Addie Jabin winning both intermediate flat and fences. Freshman Callie Hodge won team walk-trot-canter and the Gophers never trailed at any time during the day. This marked the first time in program history that Goucher was high point team at a Zones show. --Steve Maxwell Show Incidentals: Sunny skies with temperatures reaching the mid '50's. Start time: 11:05AM. Finish: 4:52PM. Coaches and Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Georgia Crompton, Brooklandville, Maryland. Stewards: Seay/University of Mary Washington, Becker/Georgetown University and Nicholson/George Mason University. Team Totals: College of William & Mary (High Point Team) 31; George Washington University (TIE-Reserve) 29; Christopher Newport University (TIE-Reserve) 29; St. Mary's College of Maryland 26; University of Maryland (College Park) 24; University of Mary Washington 24; Goucher College 24; George Mason University 22; Mount St. Mary's University 22; University of Richmond 21; Randolph-Macon College 20; Towson University 16; American University 15; Georgetown University 11; Hood College 11 and University of Maryland - Baltimore County 11. High Point Rider - Amanda Lane, Mount St. Mary's University
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