What's this? A Zone 2, Region 2 Rider on the Zone 8, Region 2 Team Standings Page? This is because Ellie Kurtz of the University of Southern California (on left) and Sophia Wirtz of St. Lawrence University (on right) rode at the same barn prior to college near their hometown of Seattle, Washington and as luck would have it were entered in the same Team Intermediate Flat class at IHSA Nationals last May 5th. At 2025 Zone 8 Zones on April 5th Kurtz got better and better as the day progressed. The Trojans junior was fourth in team open over fences, then second in individual open over fences (securing a ride at Nationals) and Champion in the Cacchione Cup classes (to earn another ride at Nationals). The So Cal team placed second to advance which could mean another ride for Kurtz in team open over fences at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina May 2nd through 4th.