Campus Equestrian: Zone 4, Region 5 home page

IHSA ZONE 4 - REGION 5

The 2025-26 season was the first full IHSA season for Lees - McRae College. And the first member of the Bobcats to qualify for Regionals was Venus De Mello (on left, with her Mother). This was only fitting, as De Mello started the team at Lees - McRae. A junior from Georgetown, South Carolina, De Mello qualified in both limit divisions. When this photo was taken on March 21st Emory & Henry hosted an overlapping doubleheader, and by coincidence De Mello drew "Jeter" for both intermediate fences classes (and was second in over fences ride number two). Two weeks later De Mello made even more history, becoming the first Lees - McRae rider to advance to Zones. The final ride of the season for the Bobcats produced a fourth-place ribbon for De Mello in individual limit flat at Zone 4 Zones in Towson, Maryland on April 4th.

Nada Soueidan of Emory & Henry University (pictured) won both of her open classes in the 1st show at the March 21st overlapping double event that the Wasps hosted. The freshman from Willamsburg, Virginia was the Region 5 top open rider by a comfortable margin. At Zones on April 4th Soueidan was second in the Cacchione Cup Competition, therefore advancing to IHSA Nationals May 1st through 3rd to compete against 23 other riders for the Cacchoine Cup and the right to be called the best hunter seat rider nationwide for the season.

Another Region 5 rider headed to IHSA Nationals is Abigail Daulton of High Point University. Seen here prior to the start of the March 21st shows the sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio won the individual limit over fences class at Zone 4 Zones on April 4th. Daulton was the only Region 5 rider to win an individual class that day. If you are heading to Tryon International Equestrian Center to watch Nationals Daulton will likely ride in the morning on Friday, May 1st as the individual over fences classes usually start the day.

Another Region 5 rider who qualified in an individual over fences class to Nationals is Adina Ban of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (on left). Seen here with head coach Allison Townley at the November 9, 2024 High Point University show Ban placed second in individual intermediate over fences at Zones which Goucher College from Region 1 hosted on April 4th. Sadly Ban did not compete at 2026 Nationals due to an injury between Zones and Nationals.

From Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Ashlee Study (pictured) was one of seven Averett University riders to qualify for Regionals in 2025=26 and the only one to compete at Zones. A winner in limit fences in show one on March 21st when this photo was taken, Study finished her sophomore year with a ninth in individual novice equitation at Zones on April 4th.

Elle Falkowski of Wake Forest University (on right) was previously on this page but gets a new photo op as the only member of the Demon Deacons to qualify for 2026 Regionals. Seen here with head coach Lauren Campbell, the senior from Edgewater, Maryland qualified in two divisions in two separate shows on March 21st. A fourth in the 'second' or 'red' show (red ink was used in the show program for these classes) in limit fences came before another fourth in limit flat in the 'first' or 'black ink' show later in the day.

Through five fall shows High Point University was in second place in the Region 5 team standings while Ava Mason (on left) was third in the Region 5 open rider standings. Seen here with head coach Cathy Schlaeppi at the November 9, 2024 show that the Panthers hosted, the sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina finished the current season by placing sixth in individual open over fences at Zones on April 4th.

Another of the UNC-Greensboro riders who reached Zones in 2026 is Jessie Queen (pictured). A junior from Archdale, North Carolina, Queen pointed out of both limit divisions and reached Zones in limit flat, placing eighth in the division on April 4th.

Seven introductory level riders within Region 5 qualified for Regionals including Ashley Adams of Appalachian State University. The senior from Leonardtown, Maryland is seen here with her father after placing second in pre-novice in show one at Emory & Henry on March 21st.

Slightly more Region 5 riders pointed out of novice equitation including Emily Lewis of Radford University (on left). Seen here with head coach Reanna Willey, the junior from Manassas, Virginia was one of ten riders to compete in the novice class at Regionals on March 22nd.

On March 21st most of the first sections of a division came in show one rather than show two. However introductory equitation was an exception. Samantha Soto of Lees - McRae College (on right, with head coach Katie Bucy) was second in her 'red' show ride in the division and still needed one more point to go to Regionals. Two classes later the junior from Abingdon, Virginia was fifth in the 'black' show to become the third Lees - McRae rider to qualify for the post-season.

Western Carolina University head coach Julia Collins is not pictured here but at least we have the stirrups she leant to Maggie Whelan in the photo! A senior from Hickory, North Carolina, Whelan is seen here after winning her limit fences class in the 'black' show on March 21st. This win made Whelan a regional qualifier in both limit divisions. Whelan was also a blue ribbon winner in intermediate flat to become part of a 'question-off' for high point rider.

UNC-Greensboro head coach Townley saw two of her riders go forward to Zones in individual intermediate over fences. Joining Ban at Goucher on April 4th was Lillian Delfs (on right). A sophomore from Wake Forest, North Carolina, Delfs was fifth in the intermediate jumps on April 4th.

Yet another rider who qualified for Regionals on March 21st (the last possible day to accomplish this in Region 5 this season) was Elizabeth "Ellie" Bogaczyk of High Point University (on right). Seen here with coach Schlaeppi the sophomore from Mequan, Wisconsin won her novice equitation class in the black show to earn the right to ride in the same division at Emory & Henry the next day. Bogaczek was not done on the 22nd either, as she would conclude the season with a sixth in individual novice at Zones on April 4th.

And yet another rider to qualify on March 21st was Leah VanDenberg of Emory & Henry University (on right). The senior from Camillus, New York had to win her limit flat in the black show to point out (VanDenberg actually needed six points, but as most know a first results in seven points and a second adds but five, so in this case only a first would do). Head coach Heather Richardson (on left) poses with VanDenberg after she won the section. This made VanDenberg one of eight Wasps to qualify for Regionals in 2025-26, the most regional qualifiers of any team in Region 5 this season. And Emory & Henry won their seventh Region Title in a row!

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The Zone 4, Region 5 Smorgasbord

Schools which competed in Zone 4, Region 5 during the 2025-2026 school year: Appalachian State University, Averett University, Emory & Henry University, High Point University, Lees - McRae College, Radford University, University of North Carolina at Asheville, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Wake Forest University and Western Carolina University.

Winter/Spring 2026 Show Schedule for Zone 4, Region 5:

Sunday, February 15 Averett University (Host) at Averett University Equestrian Center, Providence, NC Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Saturday, February 21 University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Host) at Townley Equestrian Center, Randleman, NC Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Sunday, February 22 University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Host) at Townley Equestrian Center, Randleman, NC Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Saturday, March 21 Emory & Henry University (Host) at Intermont Equestrian Center, Bristol, VA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Sunday, March 22 Zone 4, Region 5 Regionals Hosted by Emory & Henry University at Intermont Equestrian Center, Bristol, VA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Saturday, April 5 ZONE 4 ZONES Hosted by Goucher College on campus, Towson, MD Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Friday through Sunday, May 1 - 3 IHSA NATIONALS at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, NC Time each day TBA ENGLISH AND WESTERN

Appalachian State University shows Western with schools from other regions. Show Schedule subject to change.

Recent Region Champions (Zone 4, Region 5 created from a portion of Zone 4, Region 3 prior to the 2010-2011 season and Known as Zone 5, Region 4 2010-14):

2000 - Virginia Intermont College
2001 - Virginia Intermont College
2002 - Virginia Intermont College
2003 - Virginia Intermont College
2004 - Virginia Intermont College (2003-04
IHSA Hunter Seat National Champions)
2005 - Virginia Intermont College (2004-05
IHSA Hunter Seat National Champions)
2006 - Virginia Intermont College
2007 - Virginia Intermont College (2006-07
IHSA Hunter Seat National Champions)
2008 - Virginia Intermont College
2009 - Virginia Intermont College
2010 - Virginia Intermont College
2011 - Virginia Intermont College
2012 - Virginia Intermont College
2013 - Virginia Intermont College
2014 - Virginia Intermont College
2015 - Virginia Tech
2016 - Virginia Tech
2017 - Emory & Henry College
2018 - Virginia Tech
2019 - Emory & Henry College (2018-19
IHSA Hunter Seat National Champions)
2020 - Emory & Henry College
2022 - Emory & Henry College (2021-22
IHSA Hunter Seat National Champions)
2023 - Emory & Henry College
2024 - Emory & Henry College
2025 - Emory & Henry College
2026 - Emory & Henry University

Regional Qualifiers

Open Level Rider Standings

Team Standings

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