OK. We admit it. This photo of Findlay's Adam Smith was taken last April. But Smith earned a similar blue ribbon in individual advanced western at Semifinals on March 24th.

2007 IHSA SEMIFINALS: FINDLAY ROLLS IT UP AT HOME

Findlay, OH - The University of Findlay just missed a perfect score in one of the three inaugural IHSA Semifinal horse shows, scoring 40 of a possible 42 points to win on March 24th, advancing a full western team to IHSA Nationals in the process. Zone 6, Region 3 high point open western rider Trevor Dare led the way for the Oilers, winning the team open reining while placing second to Saint Mary of the Woods' Christina Ecker in team open rail. Dare was also successful in the individual classes, placing first in reining and third in rail. Other Oilers to win team classes were Jimmy Freves (advanced), Ryan Sims (novice), Raffi Kechijian (intermediate) and Aubrey Kuczerepa (beginner). Findlay riders also won five of the six individual western classes, with Dare joined in the winner's circle by teammates Adam Smith (advanced), Andrea Shaffer (novice), Val Siegel (intermediate) and April Smith (beginner). Three other Findlay individual riders placed third or higher to also advance to Nationals.

Though Zone 7, Region 2 was a very different animal in 2006-07 without Texas A & M, Oklahoma State and several other former IHSA teams involved, at least one school from the region has a Individual Semifinal Champion. Janislynn Isackson of Southern Nazarene University won the individual open rail, joining Ecker as the only non-Findlay riders to win blue ribbons on this day.

Eckers' win in the final class allowed SMOTW to tie Morrisville State for second with 22 points. The IHSA's new tiebreaker system worked in favor of SMOTW, as the first tiebreaker is 'number of firsts won during the team competition.' Thus SMOTW received the reserve ribbon, though Morrisville (which earned four thirds and two fourths in the team competition) will also advance to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th in Springfield, Massachusetts.

--Steve Maxwell

Class-by-Class Results from IHSA Semifinals in Findlay, Ohio on March 24th, 2007. Riders who placed fourth or higher in the individual classes advanced to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th in Springfield, Massachusetts:

Individual Open Reining: 1. Trevor Dare, University of Findlay. 2. Travis Womer, University of Findlay. 3. Janislynn Isackson, Southern Nazarene University. 4. Stacey Mahlmeister, Georgia Tech University. 5. Christina Ecker, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 6. Lisa Rincon, Stanford University. 7. Kate Douglas, Florida State University. 8. Kim Holland, University of Delaware.

Individual Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Val Siegel, University of Findlay. 2. Amanda Corcoran, Morrisville State College. 3. Madison Cassidy, Morrisville State College. 4. Deborah Simmer-Shahadey, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 5. Ali Fernandez, University of California at Davis. 6. Alyssa Northey, Delaware Valley College. 7. Corvan Sinkbeiner, Southern Nazarene University. 8. Adam D'Agostino, University of Findlay.

Team Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Ryan Sims, University of Findlay. 2. Tara Smithee, Stanford University. 3. Amanda Corcoran, Morrisville State College. 4. Alyssa Northey, Delaware Valley College. 5. Kristen James, University of Florida. 6. Deborah Simmer-Shahadey, Saint Mary of the Woods College.

Individual Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. April Smith, University of Findlay. 2. Kate Farrell, Stanford University. 3. Corey Hayes, Morrisville State College. 4. Stephanie Sorenson, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 5. Andria Burkhardt, State University of New York at Cobleskill. 6. Kristin Flora, Delaware Valley College. 7. Ariel Weinstein, University of Illinois. 8. Lauren Feinberg, Michigan State University.

Team Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Raffi Kechijian, University of Findlay. 2. Sarah Leavingood, Delaware Valley College. 3. Cory Hayes, Morrisville State College. 4. Michelle Bishop, University of Florida. 5. Vanessa Reed, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 6. Kate Farrell, Stanford University.

Individual Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Janislynn Isackson, Southern Nazarene University. 2. Erica White, University of Findlay. 3. Trevor Dare, University of Findlay. 4. Christina Ecker, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 5. Ashley Pierce, State University of New York at Cobleskill. 6. Ethan Mancil, Morrisville State University. 7. Kate Douglass, Florida State University. 8. Kim Holland, University of Delaware.

Team Open Reining: 1. Trevor Dare, University of Findlay. 2. Christina Ecker, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 3. Kerri Bender, Delaware Valley College. 4. Charlie Goetz, Morrisville State College. 5. Lisa Rincon, Stanford University. 6. Cara Lee Conklin, University of Florida.

Team Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Jimmy Freves, University of Findlay. 2. Trisha Huerta, Stanford University. 3. Dana Grupe, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 4. Ashley Kelkenberg, Morrisville State College. 5. Fawn Daugherty, Delaware Valley College. 6. Katie Batten, University of Florida.

Individual Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Andrea Shaffer, University of Findlay. 2. Jeremy Nimitz, Morrisville State College. 3. Kirstin Swankie, University of Findlay. 4. Ashley Barger, North Central Texas College. 5. Margaux Bennett, Stanford University. 6. Dana Grupe, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 7. Ashley Earle, University of Florida. 8. Mackenzie Waro-Shoshana, Cornell University.

Team Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Aubrey Kuczerepa, University of Findlay. 2. Javi Oliver, Stanford University. 3. Corey Oldroyv, Morrisville State College. 4. Noelle Molton, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 5. Melissa Wern, Delaware Valley College.

Individual Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Adam Smith, University of Findlay. 2. Allison Kralovansky, Purdue University. 3. Amber Tewell, Morrisville State College. 4. Dawn Ross, Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo. 5. Samantha Shelley, Bucks County Community College. 6. Charlie Goetz, Morrisville State College. 7. Britlyn Hoofman, University of Findlay. 8. Tiffany Klein, Georgia Southern University.

Team Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Christina Ecker, Saint Mary of the Woods College. 2. Trevor Dare, University of Findlay. 3. Charlie Goetz, Morrisville State College. 4. Bethany Moore, Delaware Valley College. 5. Kayla Graham, University of Florida. 6. Ashley Hoffman, Stanford University.

Final Western Team Totals, with the top three advancing to IHSA Nationals May 3rd though 6th in Springfield, Massachusetts: University of Findlay 40 (High Point Team); Saint Mary of the Woods College (Reserve) 22; Morrisville State College 22; Stanford University 19; Delaware Valley College 19 and University of Florida 9.

(Special Thanks to Jennifer Rosseter for providing us with the results)