Virginia Techs' "Enter Sandman" team prevailed at the 2009 Pre-Season Tournament of Champions in Roanoke, Virginia on September 27th. From left to right are Brett Flower, Kim Escobar, Paige Messick, Katie Hanley, Megan Ebling, Anna Norwood and Coach Sherri West (Photo by David Bell of RideOn Sports Photography, Blue Ridge, VA).

VIRGINIA TECH IS THE SURPRISE WINNER AT THE PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Roanoke, VA - Until September 27th the Pre-Season Tournament of Champions event had become somewhat predictable of late. Since the fall of 2005 the high point team had been either Virginia Intermont College or Mount Holyoke College every time. And when either VI or MHC won the other was reserve three of four times. Both schools were national powerhouses during this time, with Mount Holyoke the '06 IHSA National Champion and Virginia Intermont the best in '07.

However on September 27th all of this recent history went out the door. Two separate Virginia Intermont College teams (one named the 'Black' and another named the 'Gold') and two separate Mount Holyoke teams (the 'Swine' and the 'H1N1')' missed out on the top six. Instead a school which has never won a hunter seat Region Title left the Hollins Riding Center with the blue ribbon while reserve went to a school with only one Region Championship in the nine-year history of the program.

With firsts from Paige Messick in intermediate flat and Anna Norwood in novice fences, Virginia Tech's 'Enter Sandman' team scored 29 points to lead the way. Bridgewater College's 'Gold' team was reserve with 27. Emily Wolek's first in open fences and Ryan Carroll's red ribbon in walk-trot-canter were the best efforts for the Gold team as viewed by Judge Bob Crandall.

Wolek, a senior from Millstone, New Jersey, was also reserve champion in the Medal class. Held at Tournament of Champions shows in place of a ride-off for high point, 24 individuals were entered, and after a flat phase (three classes of eight), a jumping phase and a call-back, Wolek was second to Katie Furches of Hollins University. A senior from Oley, Pennsylvania, Furches was the most decorated rider of the day. Hollins had two teams in the competition, both of which scored 23 points. Their Green team was given fifth over their Gold team by virtue of a tiebreaker, with Furches winning both open flat and open fences for the former. Furches was the only rider with multiple rides on this day to go undefeated.

Emily Wolek of Bridgewater College won her open fences division but is seen here during the Medal division. The senior from Millstone, New Jersey went on to place second in the Medal class (Photo by David Bell of RideOn Sports Photography, Blue Ridge, VA).

Berry College turned in their finest performance ever at a Tournament event. Berrys' 'Leif the Lucky' team was fortunate indeed, scoring 25 points to take third place. Walk-trot rider Sarah Pogue won her class for the yellow-ribbon-winning team. Ironically the other Berry team entered, 'Erik the Red' scored 21 points to finish out of the top six but had two class winners in Danielle Church (novice fences) and Lynn Cherry (who made it a Berry sweep of walk-trotters with a win in the other section of the division). If today's performance forshadows the regular season and beyond then Berry looks like not only a strong Zone 5 team but a school to be feared in Lexington.

The only school in the top six that did not bring two teams was Savannah College of Art & Design. Paul Frederick, a junior from Hopewell, Virginia, won the Bee's lone blue ribbon of the day in intermediate flat. Bridget Bailey was second to Pogue in walk-trot. In addition sophomore Kelse Bonham was fourth in the Medal Division while placing third in team open fences. SCAD finished with 24 points and fourth place, which like Berry may be their highest total to date at a Tournament series event.

Besides Furches Meredith McDonnell was second for the fifth-place Hollins Green team (via a red ribbon in intermediate fences). Abby Gonzalez won intermediate over fences while Julia Parker (in open fences) and Arden Cone (in intermediate flat) were red ribbon-winners for the sixth-place Hollins Gold team.

Mount Holyoke team Swine was technically out of the top six but tied in actual points with both Hollins teams at 23. The Swine team was led by Allison O'Neil, a winner in intermediate fences while Belina Wenke and Sally Gibb took seconds in walk-trot and novice fences, respectively. Lindsay Sceats may have been sixth in open fences but the junior from Colorado was third in the Medal division and even took the early lead in the Zone 1, Region 3 hunter seat open rider standings a week later. >

From Oley, Pennsylvania, Hollins University senior Katie Furches had the best day of anyone. Seen here during testing within the Medal division, Furches won both of her open classes and the Medal class to go undefeated for the day (Photo by David Bell of RideOn Sports Photography, Blue Ridge, VA).

Other riders to win classes were Meredith Caywood of the College of Charleston's 'Team Erf' (in walk-trot-canter), Emma Rakosky of Sweet Briar College (in the other section of walk-trot-canter), Lauren Casey of Bridgewater's Crimson team (in novice flat), Kristin Wavell of Virginia Tech's other team, the 'Hokie Pokie's' (in the other section of novice flat) and Lauren Fay, who gave Virginia Intermont's Black team the lead to start the day with a win in open flat.

But it was the other Zone 4, Region 3 school competing at today's show which ruled the roost. One of the keys to Virginia Tech Enter Sandman placing so high was their ability to score not only early, but often. Brett Flower (fourth in open flat and fifth in open fences), Megan Ebling (third in novice flat), Kim Escobar (third in walk-trot) and Katie Hanley (fifth in walk-trot-canter) along with Messick and Norwood kept VTES in the top five in all but one of the eight divisions. When looking back on previous winners it is uncommon to find a school prevailing in a tournament show (or an IHSA National show) without consistantly picking up points throughout the show. VTES accompished this feat in better fashion than any of the others which is why many wait to see if VT will be at the remaining two Tournament of Champions shows.

One interesting sidebar on the Pre-Season Tournament was that only one of the 13 teams entered was from north of the Mason-Dixon line. Schools from only six of the IHSA's 31 regions took part, perhaps because several to the north feel confident they will be invited to one of the later Tournament events closer to their home addresses (and because the down economy may be affecting travel). In any event the 2009 Pre-Season Tournament was one of the more 'localized' tournament shows to date. That being said, the talent level appears to be as strong as ever for what many consider the first annually organized college competition of the school year.

This writer encountered individuals at two regular-season IHSA shows the following weekend asking how one gets invited to a Tournament event. Teams are usually invited based on how they performed the previous season (or over several seasons), and if it is a mid-season event the invitations go out to those contending for Region Titles (with some exceptions). However the Medal Division is a separate entity from the team competition, and some entrees are not from one of the invited schools (the Medal division is even open to alumni riders; In 2006 Mount Holyoke graduate Laena Romand won the Medal at Cazenovia). Jim Arrigon, who along with his wife Gwen have created and produced the Tournament of Champions series events since day one is the person those who are interested in the Medal division should contact. Arrigon, who with Gwen coaches the Xavier University team in Zone 6, Region 2, can be reached through his Beckett Run Farm web site at www.BeckettRunRiding.com. Arrigon is perhaps also the most knowledgable person to talk to regarding the workings of the IHSA, the IEA and Varsity, having gained this expertise through his series of "Equestrian Talent Searches" the past six years around the country. Now in it's 18th year, Arrigon's Tournament of Champions events have become the most eagerly-anticipated hunter seat events save for Zones and Nationals every year. Mark your calendar for December 5th when Centenary College hosts the Holiday Tournament of Champions and January 30th when the University of Mary Washington hosts the Winter Tournament of Champions. Many of the IHSA's best will be on display in a setting not unlike the National show itself.

--Steve Maxwell

Class-by-class results, in the order in which they were held:

Open equitation on the flat - Section A: 1. Lauren Fay, Virginia Intermont College - Team Black. 2. Amory Brandt, Goucher College. 3. Emily Wolek, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 4. Brett Flower, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 5. Tracey Mack, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine. 6. Emma Poole, Hollins University - Team Gold.

Intermediate equitation on the flat - Section A: 1. Paige Messick, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 2. Zoe Merritt, College of Charleston - Team Snerf. 3. Lauren Dees, Randolph College. 4. Margaret Swanson, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine. 5. Felicia Matsinger, Virginia Intermont College - Team Black. 6. Hannah Woll, University of Mary Washington.

Open equitation on the flat - Section B: 1. Katie Furches, Hollins University - Team Green. 2. Gillian Bard, Randolph College. 3. Caitlin Smith, College of Charleston - Team Erf. 4. Chelsea McCarthy, Savannah College of Art & Design. 5. Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College - Team Gold. 6. Lizzie Warriner, Virginia Tech - Team Hokie Pokies.

Intermediate equitation on the flat - Section B: 1. Paul Frederick, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Arden Cone, Hollins University - Team Gold. 3. Megan Erikson, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 4. Catherine Gregory, Goucher College. 5. Caitlin Hewitt, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 6. Emma Rudolph, College of Charleston - Team Erf.

Open equitation over fences - Section A: 1. Emily Wolek, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 2. Julia Parker, Hollins University - Team Gold. 3. Karli Postel, Goucher College. 4. Audrey Hanlon, Virginia Intermont College - Team Black. 5. Brett Flower, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 6. Lindsay Sceats, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine.

Open equitation over fences - Section B: 1. Katie Furches, Hollins University - Team Green. 2. Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College - Team Gold. 3. Kelse Bonham, Savannah College of Art & Design. 4. Lindsay Irvin, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 5. Brittany Hill, University of Mary Washington. 6. Shelby Goodman, Bridgewater College - Team Crimson.

Intermediate equitation over fences - Section A: 1. Allison O'Neil, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine. 2. Meredith McDonnell, Hollins University - Team Green. 3. Emily McKee, College of Charleston - Team Snerf. 4. Megan Erikson, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 5. Krissy Guthrie, Lynchburg College. 6. Jaclyn Pavlos, Savannah College of Art & Design.

Intermediate equitation over fences - Section B: 1. Abby Gonzalez, Hollins University - Team Gold. 2. Liz Koslow, Sweet Briar College. 3. Lindsay Ferguson, Bridgewater College - Team Crimson. 4. Liz Tripp, Mount Holyoke College - Team H1N1. 5. Crystal Threlfall, College of Charleston - Team Erf. 6. Stephanie Petersen, Berry College - Team Erik the Red.

Walk-trot-canter equitation on the flat - Section A: 1. Emma Rakosky, Sweet Briar College. 2. Caroline Anderson, Berry College - Team Erik the Red. 3. Rebecca Presor, University of Mary Washington. 4. Anne Tucker, Mount Holyoke College - Team H1N1. 5. Savannah English, Bridgewater College - Team Crimson. 6. Tatiana Calvo, College of Charleston - Team Snerf.

Novice equitation on the flat - Section A: 1. Lauren Casey, Bridgewater College - Team Crimson. 2. Jordan McMullen, Mount Holyoke College - Team H1N1. 3. Megan Ebling, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 4. Abigail Parke, Virginia Intermont College - Team Black. 5. Tyne Hovda, Hollins University - Team Green. 6. Danielle Church, Berry College - Team Erik the Red.

Walk-trot equitation on the flat - Section A: 1. Sarah Pogue, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 2. Bridget Bailey, Savannah College of Art & Design. 3. Kim Escobar, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 4. Drew Nichols, Lynchburg College. 5. Nida Sanglimsuwan, Mount Holyoke College - Team H1N1. 6. Marina Lupini, University of Mary Washington.

Medal Division: 1. Katie Furches, Hollins University. 2. Emily Wolek, Bridgewater College. 3. Lindsay Sceats, Mount Holyoke College. 4. Kelse Bonham, Savannah College of Art & Design. 5. Paige Messick, Virginia Tech. 6. Brooke Cole, Bridgewater College. 7. Brett Flower, Virginia Tech. 8. Rebecca L'Heareaux, University of Mary Washington. 9. Karli Postel, Goucher College 10. Gillian Baird, Randolph College. 11. Lizzie Kerron, Randolph College. 12. Lindsay Irvin, Berry College.

Walk-trot-canter equitation on the flat - Section B: 1. Meredith Caywood, College of Charleston - Team Erf. 2. Ryan Carroll, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 3. Sarah Lawrence, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 4. Wade Fuller, Savannah College of Art & Design. 5. Katie Hanley, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 6. Kate McManis, Virginia Intermont College - Team Gold.

Novice equitation on the flat - Section B: 1. Kristin Wavell, Virginia Tech - Team Hokie Pokies. 2. Emily Eckenberger, Lynchburg College. 3. Jamie Robinson, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 5. Rachel Uliano, Hollins University - Team Gold. 5. Elizabeth Hansbrough, Sweet Briar College. 6. Elizabeth Leduc, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky.

Walk-trot equitation on the flat - Section B: 1. Lynn Cherry, Berry College - Team Erik the Red. 2. Belina Wenke, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine. 3. Sharon Percival, College of Charleston - Team Erf. 4. India Kusher, Goucher College. 5. Amanda Dibben, Hollins University - Team Green. 6. Kristina Glenn, Bridgewater College - Team Gold.

Novice equitation over fences - Section A: 1. Anna Norwood, Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman. 2. Sally Gibb, Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine. 3. Lindsay Goode, Bridgewater College - Team Gold. 4. McKenzie Armour, College of Charleston - Team Erf. 5. Madison Harris, Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky. 6. Echo Wilcox, Savannah College of Art & Design.

Novice equitation over fences - Section B: 1. Danielle Church, Berry College - Team Erik the Red. 2. Brianna Belter, Sweet Briar College. 3. Casey Gillihan, Virginia Intermont College - Team Black. 4. Katie Leonard, Bridgewater College - Team Crimson. 5. Taylor Richardson, Hollins University - Team Gold. 6. Stuart Sanders, Virginia Tech - Team Hokie Pokies.

Team Totals: Virginia Tech - Team Enter Sandman (Champion) 29; Bridgewater College - Team Gold (Reserve) 27; Berry College - Team Leif the Lucky 25; Savannah College of Art & Design 24; Hollins University - Team Green 23; Hollins University - Team Gold 23; Mount Holyoke College - Team Swine 23; Berry College - Team Erik the Red 21; College of Charleston - Team Erf 21; Sweet Briar College 19; Virginia Intermont College - Team Black 19; Bridgewater College - Team Crimson 17; Goucher College 16; Mount Holyoke College - Team H1N1 13; Lynchburg College 10; College of Charleston - Team Snerf 10; Virginia Tech - Team Hokie Pokies 9; Randolph College 9; University of Mary Washington 8 and Virginia Intermont College - Team Gold 7.