Cornell sophomore Caroline Rusk (on left) won both of her novice classes. Cornell teammate Kelsey Craig (on right) won both of her intermediate classes. Had there been a ride-off Rusk and Craig would have been two-thirds of it. Instead names were pulled out of a hat, and Craig turned out to be the winner and high point rider for the day.

SKIDMORE COMES FROM BEHIND TO EDGE HOST CORNELL 45-41

Ithaca, NY - For many years this writer has seen better than 30 IHSA shows per season. In my conversations with people at these shows who follow the IHSA closely I am often asked about what is going on in other parts of the country. When the words "Skidmore College" come up, often someone will say that their Head Coach Cindy Ford is one of the nicest people in the IHSA.

And not only is Cindy Ford one of the nicest people she is one of the most successful. Since taking over as Head Coach in the fall of 1990 Ford's Thoroughbreds have won 17 of a possible 19 region titles and four National Championships. Ford's 12th consecutive title could even be clinched with one show still remaining. When the Thoroughbreds host on February 27th they will start the day 49 points ahead of Cornell, this after defeating the Big Red in come-from-behind fashion by a 45-41 margin on February 21st.

For much of the day host Cornell had the lead. In fact the Big Red still had a shot at a perfect score headed into the divisions below the novice level. However this is when Skidmore continued to reach blue ribbon status while Cornell slipped considerably. The Skidmore point card showed five blue and three red ribbons when the final walk-trot class was pinned at 5:23PM in the Oxley Center.

Oneonta State College scored 22 points, their highest total so far in 2009-10. Head Coach Jennifer Keuhn (on right) poses with Rachel Frey (on left, who was second in her novice fences) and Patrice Menghini just before the latter placed first in novice flat for the Red Dragons.

Leading the way for Skidmore was open rider Flavia D'Urso. A freshman from Chester, New Jersey, D'Urso (pronounced simply 'Durso') won twice to qualify for the ride-off while moving into a tie for first in the Region 3 Cacchione race. Also winning blue ribbons for the Thoroughbreds were Kelly Campbell (Sophomore; from Cohoes, New York, in open flat), Megan Paget-Brown (sophomore; from Charlottesville, Virginia, in open fences), Chelsea Jones (sophomore; Kailua, Hawaii, novice flat), Laura Roberts (senior; Fairfield, Connecticut, novice fences), Isabella McKeon (sophomore; Red Hook, New York, advanced walk-trot-canter) and Cecelia Culp (junior; Shaker Heights, Ohio) whose first in walk-trot gave Skidmore their first outright lead of the day with only one class left to go at the time. In addition open rider Elizabeth Kigin earned a pair of red ribbons while Jones (in intermediate fences), Calla Dobmeyer (in intermediate flat) and Hannae Kimura (in novice flat) boosted the red ribbon count to five. The Thoroughbreds scored 45 or more for the third time this season and won high point team honors for the fifth time in six tries.

Host Cornell was the most impressive school over the first six divisions. The Big Red had two riders who won twice, as Kelsey Craig (junior; New Canaan, Connecticut) went undefeated in her intermediate classes while Caroline Rusk (sophomore; Marlboro, New York) did the same in novice. Cornell earned seven blue ribbons, with Brooke Cagwin (senior; Syracuse, New York, in open flat), Katie Fink (sophomore; Baltimore, Maryland, in intermediate fences) and Emily Webster (freshman; Scarsdale, New York, also in intermediate fences) joining Craig and Rusk in the winner's circle. Cornell had five blue ribbons on their point sheet and 40 points without a drop through novice flat. Cagwin was second to D'Urso in open fences while Webster earned a second in intermediate flat for the Big Red's only two red ribbons of the day.

Morrisville State College was third overall with 37 points. The Mustangs even earned two points after the show was over due to a change to the results of a novice flat class. Junior Emma Monte led the way for Morrisville, winning her intermediate flat while placing second in intermediate fences. One day after hanging on to clinch a place at IHSA Nationals in the individual AQHA Trophy division, Zone 2, Region 3 western high point rider Jill Featherly did not feel the pressure. The sophomore from Hilton, New York won in her only ride of the day, taking first in novice fences. Kathryn Curto, a sophomore from Bohemia, New York won her novice flat while Ariel Zanfardino will have to swap the red ribbon she took home for a blue one thanks to a change giving her a first in the section of novice flat held immediately before Curto's. Kim Knapp was second in her section of beginner walk-trot-canter.

Already qualified for Regionals in both novice hunter seat divisions, Emma Monte of Morrisville State College (on left, with her Father) won her intermediate flat while placing second in intermediate fences at Cornell on February 21st. The Mustangs were third for the day with 37 points and are third overall with two shows remaining.

Hartwick College tied their season-best score of 35. Allison Ferraro, a sophomore from New York, New York was the first Hawk to earn a blue ribbon, prevailing in the second section of open flat. Rachel Suite, a junior from Hoosick Falls, New York won her novice flat while Marissa Mackay, a senior from Stillwater, New York won the last class of the day, the second section of walk-trot. It was Mackay's first official IHSA show, though she competed in Skidmore's 'demo' show or 'fun' show as it has been called. Hartwick went red-ribbon crazy, as Lauren Lamoureaux (in novice flat), Heather Pruchansky (in novice fences) and Aileen McCarthy (in both open divisions) took seconds. Head Coach Elisabeth "Betsey" Smith-Price was noticably happy with the Hawk's effort after the show.

Binghamton lost seven points after the show for reasons that are not clear. In any event the Bearcats still scored 30 points and remain fourth overall. Lindsay Knott, a freshman from West Hills, New York started the day well, giving the Bearcats a win in the open fences section which started the show. Kathleen McHugh, a freshman coincidentally from the town of Binghamton, New York won her novice fences. Kristen Voorhees, a freshman from Katonah, New York made it three Bearcat blue ribbons for freshman who are New York State residents! Voorhees won her advanced walk-trot-canter. Surprisingly the Bearcats were without a red ribbon at today's show.

Two schools scored 29 points at today's show to tie for sixth place. Hamilton College perhaps would have won the tiebreaker if such a thing existed, for between the two schools only one blue ribbon was awarded. Samantha Stoner, a Hamilton freshman from New York City won her novice fences. When asked if she could be photographed, Stoner jokingly sounded like she was receiving the academy award, claiming she had waited for this moment since she was seven! Nevertheless Stoner did pose for a group photo which appears within this article. Hathaway Burden (in open flat), Drew Upright (intermediate flat) and Margaret Goulder (advanced walk-trot-canter) were red ribbon winners for the Continentals, who switched barns mid-season and now train with Jean Reposa (who was not present at today's show). Hamilton's 29 score is their new high total for the season, one better than at their fall appearance in the Oxley Center.

"I have been waiting for this break since I was seven!" said Hamilton College freshman Samantha Stoner (holding blue ribbon while posing with much of the Continentals team). Stoner's first in novice fences helped Hamilton earn 29 points to tie SUNY-Cobleskill for sixth at today's show.

The State University of New York at Cobleskill tied their high total of 2009-10, which they earned in the prior show hosted by Skidmore (albeit nearly 13 weeks earlier). Though Cobleskill did not earn any blue ribbons they still left the Oxley Center with four red ones. Keiichi Okayama (in walk-trot), Megan Thornhill (advanced walk-trot-canter), C.J. Wrona (intermediate fences) and Trish McNamara (in novice flat) all placed second in their respective classes). A junior from Leonardsville, New York, McNamara needed four points to go to Regionals in novice flat and received five to point out.

For the second time this season Ithaca College was without Head Coach Connie Sawyer, but unlike on opening day when the Bombers were reserve high point team to Skidmore their total was only good enough for seventh place. Erica Schillbach earned Ithaca's only top two placing with a second in open flat as the Bombers scored 24 points.

A pair of teams scored 22 points. Oneonta State College did not have riders in either open division or walk-trot, but still finished tied for eighth. Patrice Menghini, a junior from Medford, New York won her novice flat while placing second in novice fences. Marissa Gottis, a freshman from East Setauket, New York won her advanced walk-trot-canter while Rachel Frey (pronounced 'Fry'; Otherwise her name would be spelled like the band 'The Fray' of "Over My Head" and "You Found Me" fame) was second in novice fences. 22 points is also Oneonta's high total so far in 2009-10.

Colgate University also scored 22 but probably felt differently about it (the Raiders previous low of the season was 24 at Morrisville in mid-November). Individually Colgate had a very good day, with two firsts and four seconds. Liz Brodsky, a junior from St. Louis, Missouri won her intermediate fences while placing second in novice flat. Rachel Weinstein, a freshman from Princeton, Massachusetts won her advanced walk-trot-canter. Sara Reisler (from Princeton, New Jersey, where this writer grew up) left the Oxley center with a third but really earned a second in novice flat after the adjustment that moved everyone up one placing. Emily Messing (in intermediate flat) and Jen Schoelwer (in novice fences) also won red ribbons for the Raiders.

Liz Brodsky of Colgate University (on left, with Raiders Head Coach Anna Hackney) was originally in the program as riding in section 6A of intermediate fences. However after a teammate scratched Brodsky was moved to section 6C, which she won. Brodsky also placed second in her section of novice flat as Colgate had a good day with regard to individual performances.

Some may be surprised to hear that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute had a full card at Cornell. The Redhawks apparently filled their card at Skidmore in late November as well, and are much improved since only three divisions were filled (and seven points were scored) on opening day. Sophomore Madelyn May was second in novice flat while freshman Alicia Hlavac was third in the section of novice flat where everyone moved up a placing after the show. RPI finished the day with 18 points, this after scoring 24 at Skidmore. Prior to that the Redhawks' top total was 12 points.

Siena College scored 16 points. Jen Boniello, a sophomore from North Salem, New York who was making her IHSA debut, won her intermediate flat. Two classes later Stacey Mihok, a junior from Guilderland, New York won another section of intermediate flat. Kelsey McGrath, a freshman from East Islip, New York (gosh there were a lot of winners from Long Island at today's show) won the first of two sections of beginner walk-trot-canter. The Saints were only a walk-trot rider shy of a full card today.

Competing sans only an open fences rider, the Albany Great Danes scored 13 points. Taylor Starke, a sophomore from New Rochelle, New York who previously rode for Pace University, made her debut with Albany a memorable one. Starke was second to Craig in intermediate fences. Much later in the day Kimberly Benincasa was second to Gottis in advanced walk-trot-canter while Corrine Hill, a freshman from Binghamton, New York was second to none in beginner walk-trot-canter, earning the Great Danes their lone blue ribbon of the day. Albany is a much better team that the scoreboard indicated (at one point the Great Danes had five pointed riders having scored five points). The school from the Capitol city still holds eleventh place overall after today's event.

C.J. Wrona (on left) was already qualified for Regionals in novice fences. Her SUNY - Cobleskill teammate Paige Pavlot (center) was already qualified in novice flat. But when this photo was taken their teammate Trish McNamara (on right) still needed four points to qualify in novice flat. McNamara earned a second and will join her Fighting Tiger teammates at Regionals on April 3rd.

Closing out the scoring was Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Did all of you know that Hobart is known as the 'Statesmen' while William Smith are the 'Herons'?). Freshman Lissa Mele was the first Statesman/Heron to ride and the only one to jump, placing second in novice fences. Bronwyn Krug also earned a red ribbon, placing second to McGrath in beginner walk-trot-canter. Hampered by having only half the point card filled, Hobart and William Smith finished the day with nine points.

If only her points counted toward the team total: The alumni divisions were made up of three riders today, and the placings in each were identical. Ithaca graduate Audra Ravo may have missed the first two shows yet today's substitute for Coach Sawyer has been quick to make up the difference. Ravo won twice and can claim to have three blue ribbons and one red ribbon in each alumni division over four shows. 1995 Pace graduate Angela Netoskie moved to within three points of qualifying in alumni fences with a second while 1982 Binghamton graduate Mary Jane Kresic is into the '20's in both divisions after a pair of thirds today. Kresic's husband Mladen attended today's show to watch both his wife and daughter Briana compete (the latter is a senior and open rider for Siena). It was the first time Mladen Kresic attended an IHSA show since Mary Jane was an undergraduate at Binghamton.

The Ride-Off: Because today's show ran longer than many other Region 3 shows usually do, there was no ride-off. Instead the names of D'Urso, Craig and Rusk were put into a hat and pulled out one at a time. Craig's name came out first so she received the High Point Rider ribbon for the day while D'Urso's name was next, meaning the Reserve High Point ribbon was headed back to Saratoga Springs with her.

There were more parents than usual at today's show (perhaps they know the John T. Oxley center is heated!). Skidmore freshman Flavia D'Urso's Father picked a good day to see his daughter compete. Flavia (center, between Head Coach Cindy Ford and her Father) won both of her open classes to move into a tie for the lead in the Region 3 Cacchione race while Skidmore rallied to overtake Cornell over the final two classes of the day.

Skidmore hosts a 'Fun' show: A week before the Cornell show Skidmore hosted a show that was pre-arranged not to count in the standings nor for riders to earn points toward Regionals. The demonstration or 'fun' show was created to give riders who might otherwise not ride often (or in rare cases, at all) the chance to compete in an IHSA-style competition. Not only did eight schools from Zone 2, Region 3 compete, Mount Holyoke College and Williams College from Zone 1, Region 3 also took part. The demo show was a success according to Skidmore Head Coach Cindy Ford and may be repeated in the future.

Fun fact unless you are a stirrup leather: Skidmore College has a hole-punch named "Trusty Rusty!" While other hole punches are sometimes readily available, the Thoroughbreds seldom accept subsitutes and are careful to make sure Rusty is frequently put to good use.

Veda Tupy is our 500th fan!: During the Cornell show this writer learned he has been mispronouncing Binghamton Head Coach Veda Tupy's first name (it is Vee-da, not Vay-da, though Coach Tupy says she answers to just about anything!). A few days after the show our campusequestrian.com fan page on Facebook went over 500 fans. And none other than Coach Tupy turned out to be the 500th fan since the page was launched on June 13th of last year. The major benefit of joining the Campus Equestrian Facebook page is that at the end of each day we post which areas of the actual Campus Equestrian site have been updated. Facebook fans of campusequestrian.com will learn sometime on March 9th that our story on the February 21st Cornell show has been posted. But you heard it here first!

---Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Partly sunny skies, with temperatures in the upper 20's. Entire show held indoors in a heated facility. Start time: 8:52AM. Finish: 5:23PM - includes 60 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting and several schooling breaks. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Jean Salcedo Akron. Stewards: Smith - Price/Hartwick College, Whelihan/State University of New York at Cobleskill and Northrup/Oneonta State College.

Team Totals: Skidmore College (High Point Team) 45; Cornell University (Reserve) 41; Morrisville State College 37; Hartwick College 35; Binghamton University 30; Hamilton College 29; State University of New York at Cobleskill 29; Ithaca College 24; Oneonta State College 22; Colgate University 22; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 18; Siena College 16; State University of New York at Albany 13 and Hobart and William Smith Colleges 9.

High Point Rider - Kelsey Craig, Cornell University
Reserve High Point Rider - Flavia D'Urso, Skidmore College