They traveled further than anyone else to get there but perhaps it was all worth it. Former University of Connecticut riders Debbie Kaufman (on left) and Amy Kriwitsky would both leave the Valley Forge Military Academy and College indoor with blue ribbons during the inaugural all-alumni show in Wayne, Pennsylvania on July 29th. Kaufman shook off the effects of an ankle problem to win an over fences class while Kriwitsky won the top overall prize, the Alumni Cup.

A MIDSUMMER MORNING'S COMPETITION

Wayne, PA - It may seem hard to believe, but the July 29th competition billed as the Alumni Tournament of Champions was both the first-ever IHSA-related horse show to take place in the month of July and the first-ever all IHSA alumni show (though the name 'Tournament of Champions' was used this will happen only once for an alumni event. This particular show did not in any way involve Jim Arrigon or his Beckett Run Farm, which normally put on Tournament of Champions events during the traditional school year). When the deadline for entries passed on July 15th, 20 riders signed up. When the actual show took place, 17 former IHSA riders competed in at least one class if not more.

Though the show was orginally scheduled to start at 8:00AM things were leasurely on the campus of Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Everyone was allowed the chance to get to an unfamiliar facility without being rushed (only 1999 Wilson College graduate Megan Mendenhall, 2010 West Chester University graduate Emily Rosen and 2011 Arcadia graduate Rebecca Del Pizzo had competed there previously). With only five classes scheduled logic prevailed that the show would not run far into the afternoon even if the event was slow to start.

Following the schooling and the pre-show meeting (perhaps the first-ever that could not be called a 'Coaches and Captains meeting,' through no less than three riding alumni were coincidentally IHSA coaches) the first division of the first-ever all-alumni show was something called the 2'3" Fences. Lehigh University head coach Lena Andrews Licata and former Delaware Valley College rider Jamie Mast Windle organized the event, and both were well aware that some IHSA regions set the height for alumni fences at the novice level and some set the fences at the intermediate level. The 2'3" fences was for those who prefered the novice height. Though six riders were officially listed in the program one rider was a no-show while another decided to scratch from the over fences divisions only due to the effects of a cold. The four riders completed the course of eight fences only to find out that each would be tested further. Judge Louise Kass asked riders to jump three of the fences at the canter, then halt, then back up four steps, circle at the sitting trot and exit at the walk. Beth Ann Mulford, who was Beth Ann Clark when she graduated from Beaver College in 1995 (now known as Arcadia University), might have averted fourth place had she not had a refusal on the final fence prior to the test. Mulford was fourth, 2010 Lebanon Valley College graduate Kristi Jacobsen third, former Susquehanna University rider Amanda Cavanaugh second and 2011 Arcadia University graduate Rebecca Del Pizzo the champion. Should the Alumni Tournament go on to have a lengthy history Del Pizzo can claim to be the first rider to win a class of any kind at an alumni tournament event.

In addition to holding "R.C." former Arcadia University rider Rebecca Del Pizzo holds the first prizes ever awarded at what will hopefully become a yearly alumni event. With help from "R.C." Del Pizzo won the first class of the day, the 2'3" fences.

With several of the Philadelphia area regions usually setting the bar at 2'6" for alumni fences it was not too surprising that the second class of the day - 2'6" Fences - was made up of 11 riders. All but three of the riders in this division have undergraduate degrees from Pennsylvania - based schools. One of the entries, Dartmouth College graduate Stacy Klein, shows alumni in Zone 3, Region 4 during the regular season, where the fences are set to the higher level. Former University of Connecticut riders Amy Kriwitsky and Debbie Kaufman may or may not ride at the novice level at Zone 2, Region 5 shows. However both were open riders as undergraduates so the taller height would not be an issue for either.

The division was begun in similar fashion to the the 2'3" fences, with everyone going over the course of eight fences. Not all eleven were tested though some were. When the placings were announced Mendenhall was sixth. Mendenhall actually had made her IHSA alumni debut at Valley Forge in 2011. Kutztown University graduate and current Gwynedd Mercy College head coach Amanda Enwright was fifth while yet another IHSA coach (and coincidentally a former teammate) in Chrystal Wood was fourth. Known as Chrystal Coffelt when she was a Kutztown undergraduate, Wood is the head coach for the Penn State - Berks Campus team. 2011 Lehigh University graduate Katie Moulton was third while Tracey Lightner was the reserve champion. Known as Tracey Evans when she graduated from Delaware Valley College in 1997, Lightner missed considerable time over parts of the past two seasons with two consecutive riding-related injuries. It was good to see Lightner able to place this high since she missed out on 2011 Regionals prior to the first of the two setbacks. The injury bug did not stop Debbie Kaufman from earning the blue ribbon. A former rider for one semester with the UConn Huskies, Kaufman had done something to her right ankle when rock climbing a few days earlier. Though she had one crutch to get around, and despite clearly being unable to put weight into her right foot during the flat classes, Kaufman impressed over the jumps and won the class of eleven.

Something called 'Alumni Cup Fences' followed. This is a two-phased division (think the Tournament of Champions Medal class), where riders jumped in the AM and flatted in the PM in hope of being the top alumni rider at the event. The division was limited to two riders per region, with those who signed up first getting in. Nine riders took part, with each jumping the course at this time and flating in the final class of the day. Following the nine over fences rides there was a 40 minute break to school the flat horses. Among those schooling at today' show were Villanova University rider Anne Cullen, Villanova/Valley Forge Military College head coach (and former University of Delaware rider) Sara McCoy Palmer, and former Delaware Valley rider Windle, who like Licata was eligible to actually compete in today's show. Both Licata (who is usually still listed in all programs as Andrews) and Windle (who usually is listed by her married name and not Mast) decided they would run the first event rather than ride in it to do their best to make sure all went as planned. Though she did not necessarily school horses, Maria Metz of Delaware Valley College was on hand to hold horses and take care of other issues at Valley Forge that morning.

One of only two riders entered who could claim to have competed as an alumni rider in two different IHSA regions over the past three seasons, Emily Rosen (pictured) was the first rider to win a flat class at today's show. Rosen was best in a field of seven riders who showed in 'Alumni Advanced.'

Two other IHSA coaches were in attendance. Lafayette College head coach Erin Githens was there to help support the alumni while Burlington County College head coach Briana Quinn represented 'the Plaid Horse,' a publication whose July/August issue is also their college/high school issue, with lots of information related to the IHSA and IEA. Quinn also agreed to be a steward. With no stewards listed in the program Quinn appears to have been the only 'official' steward though no incident came up requiring a steward's decision.

When the schooling break ended at 11:54AM the 'Flat Advanced' class commenced. Seven riders took part, with everyone asked to walk, trot and canter in each direction. However judge Kass then did something that pleased this writer. Everyone was asked to line up in the far end of the arena. The riders were asked to perform a demonstration of their own choosing. The only caveat was that the demonstration would be timed, and that it would last only up to one minute. 2010 Lebanon Valley College graduate Sarah Bechtel went first, working without her irons, and completing a figure eight split up evenly between the canter and the sitting trot. Bechtel was very smooth, and it appeared the next few rides were not as fluid. Wood choose to perform a leg yeild, which both Quinn and this writer thought went well. 2010 West Chester University graduate (and one-time Skidmore rider) Emily Rosen executed a turn on the forehand which also impressed. Eventually the results were announced and somewhat surprisingly Wood was sixth and Bechtel fifth. Lightner was fourth while Mendenhall was third. Kriwitsky earned her first ribbon of the day with a second while Rosen won the division outright. Kass later said that Rosen's test moved her way up in the standings.

The Alumni Flat followed, with eight riders participating. The only difference between this division and alumni advanced was that the test required two figure eights, one at the canter and one at the trot (contrary to what was stated in an earlier version of this story Del Pizzo pointed out that both figure eights in this division were performed without stirups). When the alumni flat results were announced Del Pizzo was sixth followed by Mulford in fifth (this writer asked Mulford if she received a brand-new diploma when Beaver changed their name to Arcadia eleven years ago. Mulford did indeed receive a new diploma with the Arcadia name, as did every living Beaver alumni at that time). University of Scranton graduate Michelle Geise was fourth. Geise acted as the official show photographer, something she has considerable experience with. At both 2011 and 2012 Zone 3 Zones Geise was one of the photographers enlisted by the IHSA to take photos on behalf of their marketing committee. Former Rutgers University rider Liz Baxter was third. Though Dartmouth graduate Klein is a professor at Rutgers, Baxter was the only rider with a Rutgers undergraduate degree to partake in today's show. Enwright moved up from a fifth to reserve champion. By winning the division, Cavanaugh had the best day of any rider so far, earning a first and a second.

Cavanaugh was not entered in the Cup classes, so her fine day was done at this point (as it was for seven others). Rosen, Moulton, Mendenhall, Kriwitsky, Kaufman, Jacobsen, Enwright, Bechtel and Jessica Benner of Kutztown were all to take part in the final class of the day, the flat phase of the Alumni Cup. When Kass had seen enough everyone was excused and the results of the division were announced. Sixth place went to Moulton while fifth place went to Enwright, making her the first of two riders to have received three ribbons on this day. Bechtel was fourth while Rosen was third. Mendenhall kept improving throughout the day, going from a sixth to a third to a reserve championship. Kriwitsky, who was out of the ribbons over fences managed to earn a first and a second just like Cavanaugh. However Kriwitsky had the honor of being the first rider to win the Alumni Cup. The trophy awarded to the UConn alum and current Trinity College head coach was, in fact, a cup. The Alumni Cup appears to be the only perpetual trophy given out at today's event. At IHSA Nationals the top four riders in the individual open reining division get to take part in the Collegiate Derby in Oklahoma City a few months later. Andrews Licata arranged for the winner of the Alumni Cup to receive an automatic entry into the first annual Mid-Atlantic Equitation Festival in Upper Marlboro, Maryland November 16-19. More information about the festival can be found at http://alumnitoc.webs.com/apps/blog/ which hopefully will not conflict with any Zone 2, Region 5 shows Kriwitsky might be riding (or coaching) in at that time.

Kriwitsky (center, between tournament organizers Lena Andrews Licata on left and Jamie Mast Windle on right) braved heavy rain and wind in Connecticut one day earlier to drive down to the Philadelphia suburbs for the Alumni Tournament. Kriwitsky won the two-phased Alumni Cup division, earning the only perpetual trophy associated with the competition so far.

The results of the Alumni Cup were announced at 1:46PM, giving everyone plenty of time to get home wherever home might be. The show was successful, with several riders already talking about next season (or next summer, if the event remains a staple of the July itenerary). Andrews Licata talked about the yearly alumni show taking place in different areas. This writer recommends taking the alumni show to New England, as many alumni in Zone 1 would probably compete (some Zone 2 alumni in the Albany, New York area might also welcome the chance to enter). Perhaps the only letdown for this writer was the missed opportunity to see three riders who originally signed up but did not compete. Two of these riders would have come up from the Washington, DC area, which sadly did not have any representation at the innagural event without them. Still the first all-alumni show went off without a hitch, and it was a welcome sight to see an IHSA-related show during what is normally a solid four month gap between such events.

Show Incidentals: Mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching the mid 80's. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 9:38AM. Finish: 1:46Pm - includes 40 minute lunch/schooling break. There was a pre-show meeting of all riders and the organizers. Judge: Louise Kass. Steward: Briana Quinn/Burlington County College.

2'3" Fences: 1. Rebecca Del Pizzo, Arcadia University. 2. Amanda Cavanaugh, Susquehanna University. 3. Kristi Jacobsen, Lebanon Valley College. 4. Beth Ann Mulford, Beaver College (now known as Arcadia University).

2'6" Fences. 1. Debbie Kaufman, University of Connecticut. 2. Tracey Lightner, Delaware Valley College. 3. Katie Moulton, Lehigh University. 4. Chrystal Wood, Kutztown University. 5. Amanda Enwright, Kutztown University. 6. Megan Mendenhall, Wilson College.

Alumni Flat Advanced: 1. Emily Rosen, West Chester University. 2. Amy Kriwitsky, University of Connecticut. 3. Megan Mendenhall, Wilson College. 4. Tracey Lightner, Delaware Valley College. 5. Sarah Bechtel, Lebanon Valley College. 6. Chrystal Wood, Kutztown University.

Alumni Flat: 1. Amanda Cavanaugh, Susquehanna University. 2. Amanda Enwright, Kutztown University. 3. Liz Baxter, Rutgers University. 4. Michelle Geise, University of Scranton. 5. Beth Ann Mulford, Beaver College (known today as Arcadia University). 6. Rebecca Del Pizzo, Arcadia University.

Alumni Cup: 1. Amy Kriwitsky, University of Connecticut. 2. Megan Mendenhall, Wilson College. 3. Emily Rosen, West Chester University. 4. Sarah Bechtel, Lebanon Valley College. 5. Amanda Enwright, Kutztown University. 6. Katie Moulton, Lehigh University.