They were fourth at 2009 IHSA Nationals. The College of Charleston will host the final Zone 5, Region 3 hunter seat show of the regular season on March 6th. Only four times since 1984 has anyone stopped the Cougars from earning a region title. However Savannah College of Art & Design trails Charleston by only two points going into the big finale.

THE POWER OF HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

When I was growing up you knew what game was the big pro football game of the week by which announcers would be in the broadcast booth. On CBS if Pat Summerall was the play-by-play man you knew the network with the eye logo intended that game to be shown to the largest audience. Today this might mean that if Jim Nantz is the play-by-play man for CBS (as he was in the super bowl) or Joe Buck doing likewise for FOX that these are the big games of the week.

If IHSA shows had famous football announcers and the ability to broadcast horse shows for different regions of the country, then the College of Charleston show on Saturday would be a Pat Summerall/Jim Nantz/Joe Buck type of show. The host Cougars have won five straight Zone 5, Region 3 Region Titles, and only four times since 1984 has Charleston not taken a full hunter seat team to the post-season. Usually ahead by double digits by this time, the Cougars lead Savannah College of Art & Design by only 182-180 going into the final Region 3 show before Regionals the next day. This is clearly the IHSA show that would be broadcast to as much of the country as possible (and this appears to be the weekend with the most hunter seat shows scheduled so far in calendar year 2010).

The Cougars have home field/home turf/home dirt advantage. Being at home has meant a great deal so far in 2009-10. Last weekend the University of Kentucky did very well at their home shows, capturing a fourth-straight Zone 6, Region 2 hunter seat Region Championship. The Wildcats entered the weekend two points behind Midway College and ended up 12 points ahead. Ohio University's historic rally three weekends ago was at their home base, Stonegate Farm (which will welcome visitors from the east, namely Zone 3, Region 3, for a pair of shows this weekend). And no program reaps the benefit of home cooking more than Virginia Intermont College. VI won their home shows by 49-39 and 45-38 scores over Zone 4, Region 3 reserve champ St. Andrews Presbyterian College. If you remove these shows from the standings then VI is ahead by 18 over the course of five other contests.

Also in a close race and at home this weekend is Delaware Valley College. The Aggies are tied with the University of Delaware for first place going into a pair of shows this weekend. Before Del Val and Delaware compete on the Aggies' Doylestown, Pennsylvania campus on Sunday, all of Zone 3, Region 2 must show at Valley Forge Military College on Saturday. After these two shows are completed, there is still one more show on the 14th hosted by the University of Delaware. Who would announce these Region 2 shows if they were on television? Perhaps the second best announcing crew. Think Greg Gumbel or Dick Enberg for CBS or Dick Stockton for Fox.

Because there are so many shows this weekend it is easier for this writer to write a sentance or two about each contest after they are listed below. After this weekend many take time off for spring break before another large grouping of shows occurs over the final weekend in March.

Dress in layers, bring toilet paper, bring a sharpee, make sure dogs are allowed before bringing one, make sure the camera has extra batteries, be ready for toll booths, stay on course and enjoy the shows.

---Steve Maxwell

Saturday, March 6th:

Zone 1, Region 1 University of Connecticut at Horsebarn Hill Arena, Storrs, CT 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

There are still three Region 1 shows remaining after this one. Still URI must not let Brown extend their lead for this to remain a close race.

Zone 1, Region 2 Bates College/Bowdoin College/University of New England (Co-Hosts) at Chez Chevaux Equestrian Center, Durham, ME 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

A truly great team race. University of New Hampshire leads University of Vermont by a point. Both of these teams host next weekend!

Zone 1, Region 3 Mount Holyoke College (Host) at Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley, MA 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Seniors on ALL the Region 3 teams will be acknowledged during this show.

Zone 1, Region 4 Wellesley College (Host) at Rising Star Equestrian Center, Medway, MA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Boston University narrowly leads Endicott in their first show since November.

Zone 2, Region 3 Hartwick College (Host) at Hunter's Rein Stable, Otego, NY 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Skidmore College will lock up a trip to Zones early on. The Point Chasers better be ready.

Zone 3, Region 2 Valley Forge Military College (Host) on campus, Valley Forge, PA Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

This writer sure hopes some of the VFMC riders eventually turn up on the USMA roster.

Zone 3, Region 3 Allegheny College (Host) at Stonegate Farm, Coolville, OH 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Can anyone ride consistantly enough or fill a card 24/7 to give West Virginia University a run for their money?

Zone 3, Region 4 Rutgers University (Host) at Briarwood Farm, Readington, NJ 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Lafayette College appears in control for a second consecutive Region Championship.

Zone 5, Region 1 Murray State University at the William "Bill" Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center, Murray, KY 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Sewanee can lock up their first title since '07 if they beat the hosts by six or more.

Zone 5, Region 2 ZONE 5, REGION 2 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by the University of Georgia at Woodland Stables, Winterville, GA 11:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

This show moved locations twice in the past two weeks, but we think it will really be at Woodland Stables.

Zone 5, Region 3 College of Charleston (Host) at Storybook Farms, John's Island, SC 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

If it is a close show this one will be talked about for years. If Charleston or SCAD wins big, it will be talked about for at least a few weeks.

Zone 6, Region 2 ZONE 6, REGION 2 REGIONALS on the campus of Morehead State University at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex, Morehead, KY 9:00AM ENGLISH AND WESTERN

English and Western in the same place on the same day?! What a concept!

Zone 7, Region 1 ZONE 7, REGION 1 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha at the Elkhorn Equestrian Center, Elkhorn, NE Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

Riders from six teams are in the running to advance to Zones in Canyon, Texas a month later.

Zone 7, Region 2 North Central Texas College (Host) at the North Central Texas College Equine Center, Gainsville, TX 9:00AM WESTERN ONLY

A 39 point swing last weekend took West Texas A & M from seven behind Redlands CC to 32 up. The Buffaloes will glide into Semi's.

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

The University of Southern California will likely clinch their second Region 2 Title in a row...

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

...and then some of the other Region 2 schools will advance individuals to Zones.

Zone 8, Region 3 University of Montana (Host) at JMG Stables, Clinton, MT 8:00AM 2 ENGLISH ONLY

The University of Montana Western rallied to defeated Utah State in Western a few weeks ago. Can the University of Montana overcome a bigger deficit and overtake Montana Western?

Zone 9, Region 3 ZONE 9, REGION 3 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS on the campus of the University of Minnesota at Crookston at the University Teaching and Outreach Center, Crookston, MN Time TBA ENGLISH ONLY

The hosts can claim the Region Champion English and Western teams simultaniously for the second time in program history.

Sunday, March 7th:

Zone 2, Region 1 Pace University (Host) at Briarwood Farm, Readington, NJ 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Centenary College lost by a point to both USMA and Drew last weekend and still clinched their 21st consecutive Region Title!

Zone 2, Region 3 ZONE 2, REGION 3 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by Morrisville State College at the Morrisville State College Equine Center, Morrisville, NY Time TBA WESTERN ONLY

Only three schools have riders entered, with most regional qualifiers hailing from the host school.

Zone 3, Region 1 Wilson College/Lebanon Valley College (Co-Hosts) on the campus of Wilson College at the Penn Hall Equestrian Center, Chambersburg, PA 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

Penn State works their way closer to another Region Title.

Zone 3, Region 2 Delaware Valley College (Host) on campus, Doylestown, PA 9:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

Surprisingly, the University of Delaware has faired better overall at Del Val-hosted shows over the past ten years than the hosts.

Zone 3, Region 3 Bethany College (Host) at Stonegate Farm, Coolville, OH 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

The fourth and final Region 3 show to be held in Ohio during the 2009-10 season.

Zone 5, Region 1 Murray State University at the William "Bill" Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center, Murray, KY 9:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

The Point Chasers should be on their best behavior.

Zone 5, Region 3 ZONE 5, REGION 3 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by Savannah College of Art & Design at the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, Hardeeville, SC 8:30AM ENGLISH ONLY

People in attendance will probably still be talking about yesterday's show.

Zone 6, Region 1 Ohio State University (Host) at Autumn Rose Farm, Powell, OH Time TBA 3 WESTERN ONLY

Is it fair to say the road through the Pomona Semifinal leads to Columbus?

Zone 7, Region 1 ZONE 7, REGION 1 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln on campus at the Animal Science Arena, Lincoln, NE Time TBA WESTERN ONLY

The host school will probably advance their fair share of individuals to Semi's in Cazenovia, NY.

Zone 7, Region 2 ZONE 7, REGION 2 WESTERN REGIONALS Hosted by North Central Texas College at the North Central Texas College Equine Center, Gainsville, TX 9:00AM WESTERN ONLY

Another group of riders taking aim on a trip to Pomona.

Zone 8, Region 3 ZONE 8, REGION 3 HUNTER SEAT REGIONALS Hosted by the University of Montana at JMG Stables, Clinton, MT 8:00AM ENGLISH ONLY

The survivors here will advance to Zones at the Stanford Red Barn Equestrian Center a month later.

Zone 9, Region 3 ZONE 9, REGION 3 WESTERN REGIONALS on the campus of the University of Minnesota at Crookston at the University Teaching and Outreach Center, Crookston, MN Time TBA WESTERN ONLY

It seems everyone going to Western Regionals this weekend are bound for either Cazenovia or Pomona. In the case of Region 3, they are Pomona-bound!