She won the final class of the day so at the next show she will still be dressed exactly like this! Lauren Kwan of Dartmouth College (on left, with head coach Sally Batton) earned first place in walk-trot at roughly 3:20PM in the afternoon on October 13th. This win secured first place for the Big Green for the second day in a row.

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE WINS CLOSE ONE OVER UNH, STAYS UNBEATEN THROUGH TWO

Williston, VT - The northernmost IHSA Region in New England started the 2013-14 season with back-to-back shows over the October 12/13 weekend. With Middlebury College hosting, Dartmouth College pulled out a 36-35 win over the University of Vermont on October 12th. Endicott College was third with 30 points while defending Region Champion University of New Hampshire was fourth with 29. The top four were not a surprise to most, as these same four teams have finished each of the last three seasons in the top four in some order. The one constant each of those three seasons was the University of New Hampshire earning the Region Title. It was not a surprise that for the second show of the season the only four teams with a full card were the four already mentioned. And most of the time they would have multiple riders in each division.

As is usually the case early in the Zone 1, Region 2 season, the University of Vermont and Middlebury swap hosting duties for the back-to-backs. Last season Vermont hosted on the Saturday and Middlebury on the Sunday. This time the Cattamounts were the home team on day two. Early on the home team was looking good, thanks to their new open rider Alex Carlton winning her open fences. However as the afternoon progressed (and Carlton won again) both UNH and Dartmouth quietly gained a few points here and there on Vermont and Endicott. The final class of the day was won by Lauren Kwan, a Dartmouth senior from Danville, California who put the Big Green ahead for good. Dartmouth ran their record to 2-and-0, edging out UNH 44-41. Though the Big Green captured Region Titles in 2005 and 2007 it appears this is either the first or second time Dartmouth has led after two and is likely the first time they have been undefeated through two shows.

While Kwan was the hero at the end of the day, Lindsay Seewald had been Dartmouth's bread and butter rider much of the event. The sophomore from Duxbury, Massachusetts was a winner in both of her intermediate classes. Catherine Conway (freshman, Potomac, Maryland) won her novice fences while Meaghan Haugh (freshman, Bedford, New Hampshire) and Emma Waugh (sophomore, Charlotte, North Carolina) won their novice flats. Just prior to Kwan's win Justin Maffert (sophomore, Nashville, Tennessee) won the other section of walk-trot. On top of their seven blue ribbons Janna Wandzilak (in open flat), Morgan Curtis (in intermediate fences), Felicia Jia (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Meg Rauner (beginner walk-trot-canter) were red ribbon winners for Dartmouth over the course of 30 classes.

After her intermediate fences ride, Shannon Doherty of the University of New Hampshire (on left) said she thought she had done better over the jumps at Middlebury a day earlier. However at Middlebury Doherty was third and today she won! Wildcats head coach Christina Keim (on right) would see Doherty win her intermediate flat and qualify for the question-and-answer session in lieu of a ride-off.

The University of New Hampshire had 15 rides over the course of 30 classes and ten of them resulted in top-two ribbons. Shannon Doherty, a junior from Meriden, New Hampshire won both of her intermediate classes to qualify for the ride-off (which turned out to be a question-and-answer session with the judge). Co-Captain Kate-Lyn Gadoua (junior, Lancaster, Massachusetts) and Heather Burno won consecutive sections of novice fences. Sarah Gaskell (senior, Hampton, New Hampshire) won her advanced walk-trot-canter for the Wildcat's final blue ribbon. Red ribbons went to Casey O'Dea (in novice fences), Hannah King (novice flat), Kate Bartow (same), Olivia Thomson (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Kayleen Rojek (second to Maffert in walk-trot). UNH came out of the weekend second overall averaging 35 points per show to Dartmouth's 40.

Each of the top three teams improved their total from a day earlier. Endicott College finished the day with 33 points. The Gulls were led by Maria Gustaferro (freshman, Gloucester, Massachusetts) who won her intermediate flat while placing second to Doherty in intermediate fences. Surprisingly Gustaferro was the only Endicott rider to win a blue ribbon. However the Gulls received seven red ribbons, the second highest total of any of the eleven teams present. Jenna Apgar (in walk-trot), Julia Cirignano (advanced walk-trot-canter), Abby Raynes (novice flat) and Olivia Matthaei (open flat) each placed second while open rider Marissa Ricard won a pair of red ribbons.

The University of Vermont was fourth for the day with 31 points. The host Cattamounts could still boast of the most blue ribbons earned on October 13th. Carlton, a sophomore from Madison, Connecticut, joined Seewald and Doherty in the question-and-answer not to mention that she finished the day leading the Region 2 open rider standings. Others to win firsts for Vermont were Laura Hinsdale (sophomore, Charlotte, Vermont, in open flat), Olivia Hart (junior, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, in intermediate fences), Laurel Saldinger (sophomore, Portola Valley, California, in novice flat), Talia Hershaft (sophomore, Boulder, Colorado, in same), Sarah Shaffer (freshman, San Diego, California, in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Kathryn Domijan (in beginner walk-trot-canter). Red ribbons were awarded to Annie Howard (open fences), Emily Sanders - Demott (novice fences), Saldinger (same), Meredith Kasprow (same), Hart (intermediate flat), Samantha Traficante (novice flat), Alex Ojemann (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Kate Angelidis (same). Thus Vermont also earned the most red ribbons by one over Endicott. Vermont, UNH, Endicott and Dartmouth combined to earn 21 of the 30 blue ribbons and 24 of 30 red ribbons.

From left to right are University of Vermont open riders Laura Hinsdale, Madison McKay and Alex Carlton. McKay wasn't sure what to wear to the show since she had shoulder surgery and will not be competing her senior year. However between the other two the Cattamounts seem to be set for the season. Hinsdale was a winner in open flat while Carlton won both of her classes. Carlton went on to mathematically clinch the region's Cacchione Cup entry at the final fall show.

Bates College, which finished seventh in the region last season, ended the weekend in fifth place by placing fifth today with 26 points. Katie Kirwin, a junior from Eliot, Maine led the Bobcats as she won her open flat while placing second to Seewald in intermediate fences. Cecilia Edeline (freshman, Madrid, Spain) won Bates' only other blue ribbon in advanced walk-trot-canter. Senior Tess Ferguson was second to Gustaferro in intermediate flat for the Bobcat's second red ribbon. Bates was only a walk-trot rider away from a full card at today's show.

One day after tieing Bates at 23-all Colby-Sawyer College scored 25 points. A rider who has attended more Zone 1, Region 2 shows than some of the coaches in attendance won her first IHSA Blue Ribbon. Jenna Boillotat, a freshman from Hanover, New Hampshire won her novice flat to the delight of Dartmouth Head Coach Sally Batton. For Boillotat is Batton's daughter, and it was always a question of time as to where Jenna would eventually ride in college. Boillotat schooled horses at many Region 2 shows over the past few seasons and was no stranger to Colby-Sawyer head coach Pam Payson. Earlier Julianna Lovington (sophomore, Gilford, Connecticut) won her novice fences while Hannah LaRoche won her advanced walk-trot-canter later. Colby-Sawyer may be a point behind Bates yet the Chargers scored 25 without riders in four divisions which is not an easy thing to do.

Earning seventh place for the day was Castleton State College. The Spartans' only blue ribbon of the day came in the 25th class of the day, when Shannon Halnon won her advanced walk-trot-canter. It was not only the first IHSA blue ribbon for the freshman coincidentally from Castleton, Vermont it was Halnon's first-ever IHSA ride! Earlier senior Travis Rawson was second in novice flat while later Ashley Papp was second in beginner walk-trot-canter. Castleton scored 20 points without riders in either open division or walk-trot.

It does not seem to matter to Middlebury College if they have to put on the show or not. One day after hosting and scoring 19 points the Panthers scored 19 again. Middlebury only had five riders present (seven rides). Senior Audrey Grant was third in both of her open classes while Sarah Gooding was third in novice flat.

It took 18 years of going to IHSA shows but Jenna Boillotat of Colby-Sawyer College (on left) finally won a blue ribbon! Boillotat is Batton's daughter, and as such has been at IHSA shows since she was likely a babe in arms. Now a freshman, Boillotat won her novice flat on October 13th in her second IHSA show. Batton (on right) could whole-heartedly root for her daughter as Dartmouth did not have a rider entered in her section!

In 2012-13 Bowdoin College scored a total of 49 points and finished eleventh out of eleven in the region. A day after scoring a surprising 25 points the Polar Bears scored 18 to raise their total to 43 in the early going. While Alana Weinstein (walk-trot), Christine Hayes (intermediate flat) and Karina Graeter (novice fences) were third in their respective divisions, Caroline Cole was second to Edeline in advanced walk-trot-canter for Bowdoin's best ribbon of the day.

A day after scoring 26 points the University of Maine tallied 14. No member of the Black Bears placed higher than fourth, though there were several white ribbons awarded. Kaitlyn McCann was the first Maine rider to compete and she was fourth in intermediate fences. Renee Dugal and Erin Cotterly both placed fourth in novice fences. McCann was again fourth in intermediate flat. Allison McElroy was fourth in novice flat and finally Mackenzie Kerkhoff was fourth in advanced walk-trot-canter. With a little luck this University of Maine team might score in the 20's often, as all but the open and walk-trot divisions were filled at today's show.

The University of New England did not compete at the Middlebury show so the Vermont show was their 2013-14 debut. The Nor'easters scored 11 points to round out the team totals though three of their riders won blue ribbons! Isabel Cowles, a freshman from Seattle, Washington won the second open fences class of the day (her first IHSA ride ever no less). Alessia Giannozzi (sophomore, Mendon, Massachusetts) won her advanced walk-trot-canter while Casey Johnson was another rider to win her IHSA debut. A freshman from Warwick, Rhode Island, Johnson won the second of two sections of beginner walk-trot-canter.

The "Question-Off: Neither Carlton, Seewald or Doherty had been in a ride-off or question-off prior to today. Judge Patty Hyppa met with each rider one at a time and apparently asked each multiple questions. When it was over Carlton was high point while Seewald was reserve champion.

Former IEA Riders are from both coasts: The Interscholastic Equestrian Association has grown by leaps and bounds over the past six years. While the IEA has been big in New England for almost a decade the West Coast has only recently (the past three seasons) grown to at least ten teams. Saldinger turns out to be a former Stanford Red Bard IEA Team rider, giving an East Coast school one of a small number of riders from IEA Zone 10. In geographical contrast (if such a term exists) Raynes is a former York (Maine) IEA team rider, and no less than two of her former teammates (Mount Holyoke freshman Camden Carter and Randolph College sophomore Meaghan Hynes) are riding in other IHSA regions.

You might think that is Endicott College head coach Stephanie Andreottola on the left. Well you are right, except she is now Stephanie Brightman after having recently married. Stephanie is seen here with Maria Gustaferro of the Gulls, who with a first and a second in her intermediate classes just missed being part of high point in what was only her second IHSA show.

Endicott coach may have been the happiest: It is hard to believe that only three years earlier Lou Andreottola passed away. Lou was the husband of Endicott College head coach Stephanie Andreottola, and he had been ill for some time prior to passing away not long after the fall 2010 University of Vermont show. However Stephanie is now Stephanie Brightman, having met someone new earlier in 2013. Brightman was in bright spirits on October 13th. In her own words she says she can be cynical (yet one of the nicest cynical people in the IHSA) but Brightman was happy about Endicott's third place showings each day (not to mention that she filled in for the Bates coach and they were fifth) and was specific in telling everyone that the love of your life can appear out of nowhere at any time.

Dartmouth keeps winning, and so does Carlton: Dartmouth went to 3-and-0 on October 19th, winning by a narrow 37-35 decision over UNH. Endicott scored 33 and Vermont 31, so at that point things were still fairly close. However Dartmouth hosted on the 26th and the lead widened significantly for the Big Green at home. Dartmouth defeated Vermont 47-35 while Endicott and UNH tied for third with 31 each. Dartmouth, off to a 4-and-0 start for the first time ever, opened up a 28 point lead on the University of New Hampshire (Vermont 32 back and Endicott 37 out). Though Dartmouth apparently did not stay undefeated through seven fall shows they carry a 36 point lead into the only early 2014 show in Region 2, to be hosted by UNH on March 8th. When the Big Green score their 14th point on March 8th they will clinch their third Region Title and send a full team to Zone 1 Zones in South Hadley, Massachusetts on April 5th. One region 2 rider clinched a trip to Nationals prior to the holidays. Carlton won both of her classes at Colby-Sawyer and scored 12 points at the Dartmouth show. Over the three remaining fall shows Carlton built up a 17 point lead over her nearest challenger. With only one show remaining Carlton, who finished second in the Ariat National Adult Medal just before the IHSA season started, has mathematically locked up high point open rider honors for the 2013-14 season and will represent Region 2 at IHSA Nationals in the Cacchione Cup Competition May 1 - 4 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Sunny skies, with temperatures reaching the upper '50's. Start Time: 9:32AM. Finish: 3:22PM - includes 52 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting. Point Cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? No. Judge: Patty Hyppa. Stewards: Payson/Colby-Sawyer College, Keim/University of New Hampshire and O'Rourke/Castleton State College.

Team Totals: Dartmouth College (High Point Team) 44; University of New Hampshire (Reserve) 41; Endicott College 33; University of Vermont 31; Bates College 26; Colby-Sawyer College 25; Castleton State College 20; Middlebury College 19; Bowdoin College 18; University of Maine 14 and University of New England 11.

High Point Rider - Alex Carlton, University of Vermont
Reserve High Point Rider - Lindsay Seewald, Dartmouth College