Three firsts, a second and a third? Not bad! Bekah Irish of Black Hawk College (pictured) not only won the 2011 Individual AQHA Trophy class to claim top western rider honors, the sophomore from Acampo, California won the individual open reining to advance to the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City next month. Irish also won the individual open western horsemanship class while finishing in the top three in both western team open divisions.

CENTENARY WINS HUNTER SEAT FOR SECOND TIME IN THREE SEASONS WHILE BERRY CAPTURES FIRST WESTERN TITLE AT 2011 IHSA NATIONALS

Lexington, KY - The 2011 IHSA National Champion hunter seat and western teams have a few things in common. Both schools were either tied for first or were in first place from the second class of their team competitions onward. Both scored 33 points. Both earned 33 with two firsts, three seconds and a fourth.

Centenary College, which won the hunter seat team competition for the second time in three years, pulled in the most blue ribbons of any team over four days. The Cyclones were individual winners three times while earning a pair of blue ribbons in the team classes. Marissa Cohen, a senior from West Chester, Pennsylvania won the Cacchione Cup. Like the team itself, Cohen could claim to be the second Centenary rider in three season to capture the top prize for IHSA open riders. Cohen was one of only three riders (out of 36 Cacchione entries) to receive combined judge's scores in the 80's during both the fences and flat phases of the Cup competiton. Cohen edged out New York University senior Shelby Wakeman (the reserve champion) and St. Andrews Presbyterian College senior Rob Jacobs (who was third) during the work-off phase.

The Western Team Competition proved to be the biggest surprise of 2011 Nationals, with traditional favorites Ohio State University and University of Findlay both outside of the top three. Berry College, the runner-up to Ohio State at the Canyon, Texas semifinal show, captured their first-ever team IHSA National Championship of any kind. Led by senior open rider Allie Jones (originally from Cambridge, England, who earned 12 of Berry's team points) the Vikings were the only team to score points in every western team class. Oregon State University was mathematically alive for the title going into the final team class (which Jones won). Finishing with 23 points the Beavers held on to second place, finishing two points ahead of Black Hawk College. Black Hawk had the all-around top rider of 2011 IHSA Nationals, as Bekah Irish captured all the top open individual honors for the school located in Kewanee, Illinois. Irish won individual open western, individual open reining (making her one of four IHSA riders qualified to compete in the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City) and the individual AQHA Trophy, the latter awarded to the top western rider after both a rail phase and a reining phase take place. Irish was third in team open reining and finished second to Jones in the team open western class which concluded the four-day event. Findlay was fourth with 15 points, a point ahead of Utah State University for that honor. Jones was second to Irish in the individual AQHA Trophy division.

A sophomore from Sutton, Massachusetts, Casey Zuraitis of St. Lawrence University (third from left) won the first class of 2011 Nationals, the individual intermediate over fences. St. Lawrence riders captured two individual championships and two team classes.

St. Lawrence University tied defending National Champion Skidmore College for reserve high point hunter seat team honors with 22 points each. The Saints and Thoroughbreds both slowly crept up on the Cyclones during the late Friday/early Saturday team classes. However Centenary sophomore Kathryn Haley (pronouned 'Hailey') won the eighth and final team class to pad the Cyclone's lead. From Orchard Park, New York, Haley's wins in both team and individual open flat allowed her to remain unbeaten in IHSA flat classes since enrolling at the Hackettstown, New Jersey school. Mount Holyoke College was fourth with 16 points while Savannah College of Art & Design was fifth with 12 points. One of five schools with a full hunter seat team at IHSA Nationals for the first time, SCAD earned all 12 of their points over the final two team classes to leapfrog eleven teams which were ahead of the Bees going into the final day of hunter seat competition.

Middle Tennessee State alumni riders continued their dominate the western divisions. 2009 MTSU graduate Stacey Bailey prevailed in the alumni reining class. With the win MTSU can claim at least one alumni winner at three straight IHSA Nationals events, at least one alumni winner at five of the past six IHSA Nationals shows and six blue ribbons over the 12 most recent western alumni classes held at IHSA National shows. Though future generations who look up the past winners printed into the IHSA Nationals show program may think they are two different people, the same individual won alumni over fences both seasons the National show was held in Lexington. Kelley Douglas, a 1994 graduate of Hollins University won the division in 2010 and repeated in 2011 under her married name of Kelley Mallery.

On May 7th the lifetime achievement award was presented to Cindy Ford, who in 20 seasons as Skidmore College Head Coach has led the Thoroughbreds to five National Titles (Ford was also on the Skidmore staff for another in 1990) as well as numerous individual championships. A few hours after Ford received the award the first marraige proposal at an IHSA Nationals took place. Findlay team beginner western rider Elijah Darnall brought former Findlay rider Kelly Harmon into the ring and popped the question. Harmon said Yes and the couple even re-created the event in the winner's circle area a short time later for photographers who may have been caught off-guard when Darnall got down on one knee and presented the ring the first time.

Campus Equestrian is preparing multiple stories on 2011 Nationals, covering the English and Western Team Competitions, the Alumni Divisions, the Individual AQHA Trophy division, the individual English and Western classes and the Cacchione Cup division. Until then this story serves as an abbreviated recap of the events followed by the results from the show itself.

---Steve Maxwell

The Class-by-Class results from 2011 IHSA Nationals, held at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, May 5th through 8th, and listed in the order in which they were announced.

Individual Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Casey Zuraitis, St. Lawrence University. 2. Taylor Franchi, Boston University. 3. Alicia Shankle, Virginia Tech. 4. Teal Pedersen, Morrisville State College. 5. Chelsea Hames, Bridgewater College. 6. Samantha Whitley, Centenary College. 7. Julie Roberts, University of Florida. 8. Stephanie Crecelius, Truman State University. 9. Kristina Styslinger, North Carolina State University. 10. Morgan Omdal, West Virginia University.

Individual Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Ali Cibon, University of Kentucky. 2. Kelse Bonham, Savannah College of Art & Design. 3. Lindsay Maxwell, University of the South. 4. Randi Cashman, Centenary College. 5. Brittany Johnson, University of Connecticut. 6. Julie Weisz, Gettysburg College. 7. Lauren Cechini, Ohio State University. 8. Camille Pease, University of California at Los Angeles. 9. Flavia D'Urso, Skidmore College. 10. Shelby Goodman, Bridgewater College.

Individual Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Julie Connors, Centenary College. 2. Sarah Jarosinski, Hollins University. 3. Sarah Spangenberg, Dartmouth College. 4. Kristina Keilty, University of Guelph. 5. Karlyn Hobbs, University of Colorado at Boulder. 6. Michelle Piccione, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 7. Mary McClintock, Dickinson College. 8. Devon Felts, Colby Community College. 9. Catherine Vaughan, James Madison University. 10. Diana Cabral, Stonehill College.

Team Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Chelsea Koerper, Delaware Valley College. 2. Brendan Williams, Centenary College. 3. Morgan Abbett, Stanford University. 4. Sally Gibb, Mount Holyoke College. 5. Sami Cram, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 6. Brianna Goodnow, University of Kentucky. 7. Sarah Truchon, University of New Hampshire. 8. Kristin Bonacum, Purdue University. 9. Amy Reynolds, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 10. Allison Drost, Miami University of Ohio.

Individual Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Brittany Cunnane, Centenary College. 2. Samantha Whitley, Centenary College. 3. Kelly Purchase, Boston University. 4. Lauren Patterson, University of Kentucky. 5. Margaret Swanson, Mount Holyoke College. 6. McKenzie Armour, College of Charleston. 7. Samantha Normandeau, Fairfield University. 8. Elizabeth Leduc, Berry College. 9. Angela Bernier, University of Connecticut. 10. Jennifer Atkinson, Purdue University.

Individual Novice Equitation On The Flat: 1. Hanae Kimura, Skidmore College. 2. Carly Ziegler, George Mason University. 3. Sarah Spangenberg, Dartmouth College. 4. Brittany Hess, Michigan State University. 5. Amy Schneider, Arizona State University. 6. Kim Spackman, Dickinson College. 7. Jaslyn Law, Stanford University. 8. Felicia Matsinger, Virginia Intermont College. 9. Lauren Casey, Bridgewater College. 10. Sarah Jadwin, Ohio State University.

Team Novice Equitation On The Flat: 1. Alexandra McGuire, Skidmore College. 2. Natasha Klingenstein, Centenary College. 3. Lindsey Goode, Bridgewater College. 4. Jennifer Callahan, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 5. Madison MacLeod, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Emily Hunt, Purdue University. 7. Ashleigh Ramey, Virginia Intermont College. 8. Brianna Goodnow, University of Kentucky. 9. Casey Zuraitis, St. Lawrence University. 10. Valerie Goeman, University of New Hampshire.

Individual Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation On The Flat: 1. MacKenzie Russell, College of Charleston. 2. Amanda Ross, Mount Holyoke College. 3. Anastasia Duble, Ohio University. 4. Ashley Legg, Cazenovia College. 5. Michelle Auclair, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 6. Shilpa Deshpande, University of Delaware. 7. Debbie Smith, Centenary College. 8. Isabel Moore, University of Mary Washington. 9. Ellison Poston, Lander University. 10. Alex Calvert, Xavier University of Ohio.

Individual Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Kathryn Haley, Centenary College. 2. Lexie Lohrer, Mount Holyoke College. 3. Paige Messick, Virginia Tech. 4. Brittany Johnson, University of Connecticut. 5. Brittany Henson, University of Nevada at Reno. 6. Ellen Hansen, Villanova University. 7. Amory Brandt, Goucher College. 8. Katie Taylor, University of Central Florida. 9. Katie Hurrell, University of Wyoming. 10. Emily Walker, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Team Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Jordan Koivu, St. Lawrence University. 2. Jessica Pabst, Centenary College. 3. Kelly Herdman, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Sami Cram, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 5. Shannon Roska, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 6. Chelsea Jones, Skidmore College. 7. Kristin Lawrence, Delaware Valley College. 8. Lauren Casey, Bridgewater College. 9. Erin Hickey, Savannah College of Art & Design. 10. Kyle Jefferson, Purdue University.

Marissa "Missy" Cohen (on horse) was leading the Cacchione Cup competition after two phases. The work-off phase involved only three riders (making it the smallest work-off in IHSA Cacchione class history) and testing did not change the outcome. The senior from West Chester, Pennsylvania is the third Centenary College rider to win the division, following Kelly Anne Taylor in 1997 and Lindsay Clark in 2009.

Alumni Equitation Over Fences: 1. Kelley Douglas Mallery, Hollins University. 2. Sarah Thompson, University of Richmond. 3. Rebecca Danz, State University of New York at Albany. 4. Katie Schaaf, Tufts University. 5. Kristen Walters, Mississippi State University. 6. Chrystal Coffelt Wood, Kutztown University. 7. Sarah Bechtel, Lebanon Valley College. 8. Tara Lynch, University of Connecticut. 9. Erica Green, Washington & Jefferson College. 10. Samantha Gunnison, University of Georgia.

Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Natasha Klingenstein, Centenary College. 2. Julia Mazzarella, Skidmore College. 3. Jessie Lewis, St. Lawrence University. 4. Lauren Patterson, University of Kentucky. 5. Taylor Rose, Bridgewater College. 6. Whitney Wickes, University of Colorado at Boulder. 7. Kitty Sarosy, Miami University of Ohio. 8. Jennifer Atkinson, Purdue University. 9. Hayley Bolton, Savannah College of Art & Design. 10. Kali Cram, St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

Team Open Reining: 1. Andrew Wolf, University of Findlay. 2. Allie Jones, Berry College. 3. Bekah Irish, Black Hawk College. 4. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 5. Austin Griffith, Ohio State University. 6. Katelyn Lewis, Oregon State University. 7. Kelsey Horner, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 8. Catherine Howland, Morrisville State College. 9. Samantha Eckert, Murray State University.

Individual Walk-Trot Equitation On The Flat: 1. Jenna Gunnell, St. Lawrence University. 2. Paul Nichols, Lynchburg College. 3. Corrie Fittz, Bridgewater College. 4. Emily Turville, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Katelyn French, University of Wyoming. 6. Sharon Percival, College of Charleston. 7. Kaitlyn Christie, University of Victoria. 8. Karolina Woroniecka, Brown University. 9. Belinda Wenke, Mount Holyoke College. 10. Kristie Lutz, Southeast Missouri State University.

Team Walk-Trot Equitation On The Flat: 1. Paulie Erni, Mount Holyoke College. 2. Allyson Gallamore, Bridgewater College. 3. Elise DeBuysser, Stanford University. 4. Taylor Scott, Virginia Intermont College. 5. Anna Stoebel, University of New Hampshire. 6. Cecilia Culp, Skidmore College. 7. Blake Liljestrand, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 8. Tom Schoen, Miami University of Ohio. 9. Pauline Baumgartner, Savannah College of Art & Design. 10. Melissa Eischens, University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Team Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation On The Flat: 1. Sophie Miller, St. Lawrence University. 2. Victoria Neff, Skidmore College. 3. Kayla Felstedt, Centenary College. 4. Jennifer Peotter, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 5. Claire Smedley, University of Kentucky. 6. Sarah Jacobson, Stanford University. 7. Miranda Wright, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 8. Kaelee Thompson, Savannah College of Art & Design. 9. Megan Kelty, Virginia Intermont College. 10. Geordon Duncan, Bridgewater College.

Team Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Andrea Smith, Berry College. 2. MaKena Lawrence, University of Findlay. 3. Dustin Renken, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 4. Loren Witt, Murray State University. 5. Hayley McGuire, Oregon State University. 6. Marilyn Brandt, Black Hawk College. 7. Dianne Blocker, Utah State University. 8. Courtney Noonan, Ohio State University. 9. Christine Towne, Morrisville State College.

Team Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Kelse Bonham, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Ali Cibon, University of Kentucky. 3. Lindsay Sceats, Mount Holyoke College. 4. Flavia D'Urso, Skidmore College. 5. Carolyn Kelsey, University of New Hampshire. 6. Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College. 7. Rob Jacobs, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 8. Suzanne Snyder, St. Lawrence University. 9. Kari McArthur, Purdue University. 10. Shelby Goodman, Bridgewater College.

Cacchione Cup Class: 1. Marissa Cohen, Centenary College. 2. Shelby Wakeman, New York University. 3. Rob Jacobs, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 4. Tamara Morse, Washington & Lee University. 5. Elise Fishelson, Brown University. 6. Rori Fiebert, Washington University in St. Louis. 7. Danielle Miranda, Lafayette College. 8. Camille Pease, University of California at Los Angeles. 9. Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College. 10. Brittany Johnson, University of Connecticut.

Individual Open Reining: 1. Bekah Irish, Black Hawk College. 2. Kaitlin Hoffman, Cazenovia College. 3. Alissa Trucco, Ohio University. 4. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 5. Elizabeth Whitman, Oregon State University. 6. Katie Morehead, University of Findlay. 7. Kelsey Horner, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 8. Megan Freemantle, Morrisville State College. 9. Austin Griffith, Ohio State University. 10. Amanda Golembeski, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Team Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Kathryn Haley, Centenary College. 2. Paul Frederick, Savannah College of Art & Design. 3. Suzanne Snyder, St. Lawrence University. 4. Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College. 5. Lexie Lohrer, Mount Holyoke College. 6. Maddie Smith, Miami University of Ohio. 7. Taylor Rose, Bridgewater College. 8. Jennifer Burke, University of Colorado at Boulder. 9. Audrey Bolte, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 10. Kelly Campbell, Skidmore College.

Alumni Equitation On The Flat: 1. Sammantha Gunnison, University of Georgia. 2. Tara Lynch, University of Connecticut. 3. Jess Schatz, University of Pennsylvania. 4. Ashton Phillips, Virginia Intermont College. 5. Katie Schaaf, Tufts University. 6. Amy Kriwitsky, University of Connecticut. 7. Kelley Douglas Mallery, Hollins University. 8. Lauren Sappenfield, Purdue University. 9. Julia Turner, University of Southern California. 10. Jessica Bower, Cal Poly - Pomona.

Alumni Western Horsemanship: 1. Samantha Erwin, Murray State University. 2. Misty Hobbs, West Texas A & M University. 3. Stacey Bailey, Middle Tennessee State University. 4. Brittany Swartzwelder, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 5. Alexis Plavocos, Bucks County Community College. 6. Joanne Coniglio, Delaware Valley College. 7. Megan Carter, University of Kentucky. 8. Peggy Leonowich - Graham, United States Military Academy. 9. Robin Hartle, West Virginia University. 10. Lauren Allen, North Georgia College and State University.

Individual Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Bekah Irish, Black Hawk College. 2. Jarrod Bush, University of Findlay. 3. Megan Hephner, Middle Tennessee State University. 4. Allie Jones, Berry College. 5. Katie Morehead, University of Findlay. 6. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 7. Danielle DeMel, Cal Poly - Pomona. 8. Jenny Winfield, University of Montana Western. 9. Kody Zaagman, North Carolina State University. 10. Samantha Eckert, Murray State University.

Team Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Kathryn Sargent, Oregon State University. 2. Amy Cherry, Berry College. 3. Kelly Hunter, Morrisville State College. 4. Shelby Zerrusen, Black Hawk College. 5. Caitlin Sanders, Ohio State University. 6. Brizett Cole, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 7. Lisa Yamane, Utah State University. 8. Jordan Hayes, Murray State University. 9. Elijah Darnall, University of Findlay.

Alumni Reining: 1. Stacey Bailey, Middle Tennessee State University. 2. Alexis Plavocos, Bucks County Community College. 3. Samantha Erwin, Murray State University. 4. Brittany Swartzwelder, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 5. Joanne Coniglio, Delaware Valley College. 6. Megan Carter, University of Kentucky. 7. Misty Hobbs, West Texas A & M University.

Alexandra "Allie" Jones of Berry College (on horse) won the team open western horsemanship division to conclude the four-day event on May 8th. Margaret Knight (holding trophies), a former IHSA rider with the University of the South and the Berry western and hunter seat head coach since 1998, saw her Vikings bring the AQHA high point Team Trophy to Rome, Georgia for the first time in school history.

Team Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Kaci Sintek, Oregon State University. 2. Lauren Doyle, Utah State University. 3. Kristen Atwell, Berry College. 4. Katrina Quick, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 5. Margaret Roberts, Morrisville State College. 6. Roxanne Clemens, Black Hawk College. 7. Claire Sutton, Ohio State University. 8. Madison Hallas, University of Findlay. 9. David Worley, Murray State University.

Team Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Paige Frevert, Black Hawk College. 2. Ariel Robelen, Berry College. 3. Katharine Du Mont, Oregon State University. 4. Andrea East, Murray State University. 5. Audrey Raby, Utah State University. 6. Tanya Ashford, Morrisville State College. 7. Sophia Browning, Ohio State University. 8. Kelley Black, University of Findlay. 9. Hannah Scow, University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Individual Advanced Western Horsemanship: 1. Kymala Lovisone, Oregon State University. 2. Rebecca Fournier, University of Findlay. 3. Whitney Mahloch, St. Mary of the Woods College. 4. Thor Hess, Middle Tennessee State University. 5. Gretchen Dietrich, State University of New York at Oswego. 6. Hannah Welter, West Texas A & M University. 7. Callayn Paul, University of Findlay. 8. Kelsey Wilson, Utah State University. 9. Shannon Voges, North Dakota State University. 10. Brooke Wodrig, Mount Holyoke College.

Individual Intermediate Western Horsemanship: 1. Melissa McDonald, University of Findlay. 2. Brittany Powell, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 3. Brooke Preston, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 4. Amanda Taylor, Black Hawk College. 5. Courtney Noonan, Ohio State University. 6. Tanner Walls, University of Findlay. 7. Hana D'Acci, Oregon State University. 8. Loren Witt, Murray State University. 9. Allyson Overend, State University of New York at Oswego. 10. Casey Nelson, Oregon State University.

Individual Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Paige Frevert, Black Hawk College. 2. Leah Davison, St. Andrews Presbyterian College. 3. Allison Lewis, Oregon State University. 4. George Lawson, University of Montana Western. 5. Wyatt Carbaugh, Morrisville State College. 6. Shanna Meyer, Rochester Community and Technical College. 7. Ariel Robelen, Berry College. 8. Alissa Claiser, University of Delaware. 9. Peter Metz, Alfred University. 10. Jeremy Saham, Ohio State University.

Individual AQHA Trophy Class: 1. Bekah Irish, Black Hawk College. 2. Allie Jones, Berry College. 3. Austin Griffith, Ohio State University. 4. Jenni Nagel, State University of New York at Oswego. 5. Elizabeth Whitman, Oregon State University. 6. Katie Morehead, University of Findlay. 7. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 8. Megan Hephner, Middle Tennessee State University. 9. Kody Zaagman, North Carolina State University. 10. Catherine Howland, Morrisville State College.

Individual Novice Western Horsemanship: 1. Claire Sutton, Ohio State University. 2. Taylor Duncanson, Centenary College. 3. Katrina Quick, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 4. Margaret Haas, North Carolina State University. 5. Megan Snyder, University of Akron. 6. Haley Bever, Linn-Benton Community College. 7. Kristen Atwell, Berry College. 8. Zachary Schmidt, Utah State University. 9. Olivia Campbell, Alfred University. 10. Amy Mandelke, South Dakota State University.

Team Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Allie Jones, Berry College. 2. Bekah Irish, Black Hawk College. 3. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 4. Katie Morehead, University of Findlay. 5. Julianne Sovince, Oregon State University. 6. Austin Griffith, Ohio State University. 7. Catherine Howland, Morrisville State College. 8. Samantha Eckert, Murray State University. 9. Kelsey Horner, University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Final Hunter Seat Team Totals: Centenary College (2011 IHSA National Champion) 33; Skidmore College (TIE - Reserve) 22; St. Lawrence University (TIE - Reserve) 22; Mount Holyoke College 16; Savannah College of Art & Design 12; University of Kentucky 11; Bridgewater College 11; Stanford University 9; St. Andrews Presbyterian College 8; Delaware Valley College 7; Virginia Intermont College 7; Miami University of Ohio 7; University of Wisconsin at Madison 5; University of New Hampshire 4; Purdue University 1 and University of Colorado at Boulder 1.

Final Western Team Totals: Berry College (2011 IHSA National Champion) 33; Oregon State University (Reserve) 23; Black Hawk College 21; University of Findlay 15; Utah State University 14; University of Nebraska at Lincoln 8; Morrisville State College 7; Murray State University 6 and Ohio State University 5.