From left to right are Devan McNamara, Head Coach Cory Kieschnick and Jessica Buck of Delaware Valley College. The Aggies made it look easy at the Winter Tournament of Champions, prevailing by a whole point over Virginia Tech. Heading into the final Zone 3, Region 2 show, Delaware Valley must make up six points on the University of Delaware if they are to repeat as region champions.

DAY OF DECISION IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, PART OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE

Before we forget we want to acknowledge that Cornell University defeated Skidmore College at Skidmore on February 27th to delay the Thoroughbreds from clinching another Zone 2, Region 3 hunter seat Region Title until a week later at Hartwick's show. We mention this because sometimes you see strange results in late-season matchups when the top team in a region has such a huge lead. Part of this is because certain riders who did not ride all year long are given a chance to compete while others are held back for various reasons. Or in some cases one team simply rides better than all the rest that day.

Though we are still awaiting the results from several shows over the March 6th/7th weekend we can tell you that the College of Charleston won at home by three points over Savannah College of Art & Design. This means the Cougars are once again taking a full team to Zone 5 Zones. The University of the South clinched a trip to Zones to face Charleston while West Texas A & M moved along to Semifinals.

Mount Holyoke won big at home and lead UMass-Amherst by over 20 points with one Zone 1, Region 3 show to go. In Northern New England the University of Vermont defeated the University of New Hampshire by five, giving the Cattamounts a four-point lead on the Wildcats. Interestingly UNH hosts on March 13th while Vermont hosts on the 14th. Once the Vermont shows is over the Zone 1, Region 2 regular season has been completed. It should be an interesting weekend for those two teams.

There is a similar situation brewing in Zone 3, Region 2. Valley Forge Military Academy hosted on March 6th, during which the University of Delaware won by eight points. A day later Delaware Valley College hosted and defeated Delaware by two. This means the University of Delaware takes a six point lead into their home show on March 14th. This too should be a good show. After all these two teams finished in a tie each of the past two seasons, having to resort to tiebreakers. In '08 Delaware won the tiebreaker while in '09 it was Delaware Valley. Hopefully they won't make IHSA history and finish tied three years in a row.

Bring foul-weather clothing, bring an umbrella, bring toilet paper, bring the GPS, leave extra time getting where you are going and enjoy the shows.

---Steve Maxwell

Friday, March 12th:

Zone 5, Region 1 ZONE 5 REGION 1 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by Maryville College at Icon Sporthorses, Friendsville, TN 2:00PM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 7, Region 2 Louisiana State University (Host) on campus at Parker Coliseum, Baton Rouge, LA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Saturday, March 13th:

Zone 1, Region 1 Johnson & Wales University (Host) at Johnson & Wales Equestrian Center, Rehoboth, MA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 1, Region 2 University of New Hampshire (Host) on Campus, Durham, NH 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 3, Region 3 Host TBA at Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at the Maris Cuneo Horse Park, Alfred Station, NY 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 3, Region 4 West Virginia University (Host) at Reedsville Farm, Arthurdale, WV 9:00AM 2 WESTERN ONLY

Zone 6, Region 3 ZONE 6, REGION 3 WESTERN REGIONALS Location and Time TBA WESTERN ONLY

Zone 6, Region 4 ZONE 6, REGION 4 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by Western Michigan University at the Cheff Center, Augusta, MI 8:00AM WESTERN ONLY

Zone 7, Region 2 Louisiana State University (Host) on campus at Parker Coliseum, Baton Rouge, LA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 8, Region 2 Cal Poly - Pomona (Host) on campus at Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, Pomona, CA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY - RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 6TH RAINOUT

Zone 8, Region 2 ZONE 8, REGION 2 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by Cal Poly - Pomona at Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, Pomona, CA HELD FOLLOWING CONCLUSION OF FINAL REGULAL SEASON HUNTER SEAT SHOW; ENGLISH ONLY - RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 6TH RAINOUT

Zone 9, Region 2 Black Hawk College (Host) at the Black Hawk College East Campus Ag Arena, Kewanee, IL 8:00AM WESTERN ONLY

Sunday, March 14th:

Zone 1, Region 1 Trinity College (Host) at Avon Valley Show Stables, Avon, CT 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 1, Region 2 University of Vermont (Host) at Imajica, Williston, VT 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 1, Region 4 University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth/Wheaton College (Co-Hosts) at Hobby Horse Farm, Rehoboth, MA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 2, Region 4 Stony Brook University/C.W. Post College (Co-Hosts) at Island Hills Stable, Middle Island, NY 8:15AM ENGLISH ONLY - MOVED TO THIS LOCATION AT THE LAST MINUTE FOR THE USE OF A SUITABLE INDOOR

Zone 3, Region 2 University of Delaware (Host) at Gambler's Choice Equestrian center, Dover, DE 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 3, Region 4 Rider University (Host) at Fox Heath Farm, Furlong, PA 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY - CANCELLED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE AT FACILITY

Zone 3, Region 4 West Virginia University (Host) at Reedsville Farm, Arthurdale, WV 9:00AM WESTERN ONLY

Zone 3, Region 4 ZONE 3, REGION 1/3/4 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by West Virginia University at Reedsville Farm, Arthurdale, WV HELD FOLLOWING CONCLUSION OF FINAL REGULAR SEASON WESTERN SHOW; WESTERN ONLY

Zone 6, Region 1 ZONE 6, REGION 1 REGIONALS at Lake Erie College George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center, Concord, OH 9:00AM ENGLISH AND WESTERN

Zone 6, Region 3 ZONE 6, REGION 3 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by Otterbein College at the Otterbein Equine Science Facility, Westerville, OH 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 7, Region 2 ZONE 7, REGION 2 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by Tulane University at Equest Farm, New Orleans, LA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Zone 9, Region 2 ZONE 9, REGION 2 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by Black Hawk College at the Black Hawk College East Campus Ag Arena, Kewanee, IL 8:00AM WESTERN ONLY