Brooke Taylor (on right) was one of five St. Lawrence University freshmen to win a class at the November 20th Cazenovia College show. Taylor won both her intermediate fences and novice flat classes and eventually was Reserve High Point Rider. Head Coach Mary Dreuding (on left) saw her Saints score 43 points to tie host Cazenovia for high point team while remaining unbeaten since October 30th.

ST. LAWRENCE AND CAZENOVIA TIE FOR HIGH POINT IN FINAL REGION 2 FALL CONTEST

Cazenovia, NY - Upon arriving at today's show I noticed that there were many riders I did not recognize. This was especially true when searching out the St. Lawrence University riders who had situated themselves under the overhang where the announcer is located inside the newly-heated Cazenovia Equine Center. Many of the riders listed in the program were unfamiliar, but since I usually visit Region 2 once per season I was unsure if I had gone on the wrong days the past few seasons and these were actually regulars for the Saints. I quickly spotted St. Lawrence senior Abby Cook (who has been among the most dependable open flat riders the past three seasons nationwide) and asked her if specific riders in the upcoming classes whom I had not heard of were new. Cook said something to the effect that St. Lawrence has many freshman this season. By the end of the day the Saints would earn eight blue ribbons, with six of them accrued by first year riders.

Two of the six were earned by freshman Brooke Taylor. Hailing from Rye, New Hampshire, Taylor won both her intermediate fences and novice flat classes to qualify for the ride-off. Grace Seagrave (from Saratoga Springs, New York) was a winner in novice fences. Jamie Tempesta (from Waitsfield, Vermont) won her intermediate flat while Emily D'Alessandro (from Redding, Connecticut) did likewise in the following section. Anna Haron (from Springfield, New Hampshire) was the fifth and final Saints freshman to earn a blue ribbon. Haron won the section of advanced walk-trot-canter prior to the ride-off. Casey Zuraitis, a junior from Sutton, Massachusetts who had been high point rider nearly a year ago to the day when Cazenovia hosted their annual pre-Thanksgiving Sunday show, was a winner in intermediate flat, a division the Saints swept on this day. Cook herself won the very first class of the day, as the senior from Duxbury, Massachusetts was a winner in open fences. Zuraitis (in open fences), Taylor Moon (in novice flat) and William Willsea (in walk-trot) added red ribbons to the pile for St. Lawrence. Since having lost at Cazenovia on opening day (when the Wildcats earned a perfect 49 score) the Saints have won four in a row. This time their total of 43 points was only good enough for co-champion honors.

Cazenovia College junior Ashley Mettlen (on right) was a winner in section B of novice fences. Wildcat teammate Elisa Therrien (on left) was second in the novice fences section that followed. Cazenovia accounted for ten blue ribbons, half of which were won in either novice flat or fences classes.

While St. Lawrence was strongest in the intermediate classes, host Cazenovia evened things out with their performances in the novice classes. Alina Brazzil (senior, from Los Angeles, California) won the first of five sections of novice flat while Claire Hayes (junior, from Fairfield, Connecticut) won three classes later and Sam Oldfield (junior, Shirley, Massachusetts) won the final novice flat class after that. Earlier Natania Diamond (freshman, Bennington, Vermont) and Ashley Mettlen (junior, Cranford, New Jersey) won back-to-back sections of novice fences. Diamond's win in section 4A was her first in IHSA competition. Unless she had a very off-day at St. Lawrence on November 19th it appears Brandi Carpenter of Cazenovia will lead the Region 2 open rider standings after six fall shows. The junior from Orlando, Florida won both of her open classes today to qualify for the ride-off. Carpenter entered the weekend leading Cook 50-39 in the race to represent Region 2 at Nationals in the Cacchione Cup Competition. Kelsey Shanley, a junior from Williamstown, Massachusetts won her open flat while another junior, Sarah Gray (from Colonie, New York) won the section of open fences which followed Carpenter's win. Senior Chris Pankratz earned the Wildcat's final blue ribbon of the day with a win in advanced walk-trot-canter. Their ten blue ribbons were the most any school earned at today's show. Brazzil (in intermediate fences), Kate Davies (in intermediate flat), Jo Hennington (same), Elisa Therrien (in novice fences), Gray (in novice flat), Melanie Peabody (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Christine Petrone (same) won red ribbons for the Wildcats, who still managed only a 43-all tie with the Saints despite earning more of the preferred ribbons.

The State University of New York at Potsdam managed only two blue ribbons yet the Bears finished only ten points behind both of the leaders. Freshman earned both blue ribbons as Arielle Chin (from Monticello, New York) won her novice flat while Carlene Benson (from Averill Park, New York) won her beginner walk-trot-canter. It was not common for a school to have two riders in the same section of a division. When Benson won the runner-up was teammate Kaitlin Brand. Other Bears to win red ribbons were Alexa Basile in open flat, Michelle Robinson in intermediate flat and Parker Simms in advanced walk-trot-canter.

You will just have to take our word for it that Celine Jasaree of the University of Guelph had already put away her blue ribbon for safe keeping. Jasaree (on left) and Kristina Keilty (on right) were blue ribbon winners while Maegan Mackimmie (center) was a second place winner. Each of these Gryphon riders excelled over fences, with Keilty a winner in intermediate fences, MacKimmie second over the intermediate jumps and Jasaree first in the final section of novice fences.

Region 2 includes three Canadian teams. The University of Guelph earned the top score of the three, technically placing third with 27 points. Guelph was extremely effective during the jumping classes, as each of their riders placed third or higher. Kristina Keilty, a fourth year student from Aurora, Ontario won her intermediate fences for Guelph's first of two blue ribbons. Celine Jasaree, a second year student coincidentally from Aurora was a winner in novice fences while also earning a second in novice flat. Brooke Krause was second in both of her novice classes while Stephanie Liscumb was second in open fences. Perhaps the feel-good ride of the day belonged to Maegan Mackimmie. A third year student from Mississagua, Ontario, Mackimmie was grazed in the helmet by a kicking horse prior to mounting for her intermediate fences class. This looked scary as it happened but it was a case of no harm, no foul. After the EMT and Mackimmie agreed that nothing appeared to be wrong, Mackimmie went on to compete in the class and finished second to Taylor. Mackimmie still felt fine later when she placed fourth in intermediate flat. It should be noted that Guelph scored their 27 points without having a walk-trot rider entered.

Seven days earlier the State University of New York at Geneseo had broken through the stranglehold that St. Lawrence and Cazenovia routinely have as either the champion or reserve champion team. The Knights were reserve high point team that day, finishing ahead of the Wildcats. However after having been third at each of the other four shows Geneseo took fourth place at Cazenovia with 23 points. Though senior open rider Katie Roberts was second to Cook in the first class of the day it was not until 19 classes later that junior April Krenzer would earn the Knights' second red ribbon of the day in novice flat. At that point Geneseo heated up, with Kristin Rabb (junior, from Fairport, New York) winning her advanced walk-trot-canter while Jordan Laux won the final class of the day. Laux has been one of the most consistant riders in the region this fall, having now earned five firsts in six attempts! After winning her fifth walk-trot class this writer asked Laux what year she is and her hometown. Without missing a beat Laux said she is a sophomore from Nashville, Tennessee. However at that moment at least two of her relatives stepped forward to say she is from Manlius, New York (not far at all from the Cazenovia Equine Center). Then Laux herself said I could also put down that she is from Virginia Beach, Virginia! Then there was a debate that seemed to go on for some time as to which hometown should be listed. Eventually Manlius seemed to overrule the southern cities. However because Laux qualified for Regionals with the win we have included all the possible hometown locales.

The State University of New York at Oswego was one of two teams to earn 21 points on November 20th. Lakers freshman Sarah Popovitch (on right) poses with her Mother after winning the first of two sections of walk-trot.

The State University of New York at Oswego (also known as Oswego State University) did not have riders entered in either open division. Nevertheless the Lakers were one of two schools to score 21 points. Lauren Clark was the first Oswego rider of the day to compete. The senior from Baldwinsville, New York was a winner in intermediate fences. For the longest time it appeared Clark would be the only Laker with a top-two ribbon. However Sarah Popovitch (sophomore, Red Hook, New York) won the next-to-last class of the day. Popovitch won the first of two sections of walk-trot.

Also scoring 21 points (and having done so with a full card) was the University of Ottawa. The Gi-Gi's entered the weekend in last place within Zone 2, Region 2 with 61 points through four shows. After seeing the Gi-Gi's today all this writer can say is that if Ottawa is still in last place they are one of the ten best 'Last Place' IHSA teams he has ever seen! The Gi-Gi's had three seconds through the jumping classes (Lauren Brooks in intermediate fences followed by Emily Marcogliese and Kate Kienapple in novice fences) while first year student Victoria Laflamme - Descarie added a fourth red when she finished second to Popovitch in walk-trot. The fact that none of the Gi-Gi's earned a blue has more to do with the strength of the region than anything else. Though Campus Equestrian doesn't post any national team or region rankings (if someone could come up with a formula to calculate such statistics we are willing to listen - Editor) this writer will go on record saying that Zone 2, Region 2 comes across as the strongest from top to bottom that he has seen so far this season (out of 15 seen in person between September 24th and November 20th).

From left to right are University of Ottawa Co-Coach Mark Struthers, Lauren Brooks (the Ottawa show manager), Jordan Fulcher (team president) and Megan Nesland (team secretary). A fourth year student from Bracebridge, Ontario, Brooks was one of four Gi-Gi's to earn a red ribbon, placing second in intermediate fences. Though they may (or may not) be in last place in Region 2 at the moment the Gi-Gi's would be in contention for a region title in about five or six of the other 35 IHSA regions.

Syracuse University was without a rider in the open flat or walk-trot divisions, which in part explains the Orange finishing with 20 points. Francesca Mastromarino and Erin Kinsey were third in consecutive sections of novice fences while Samantha Page and Jenna Parezo were third in non-consecutive sections of intermediate flat to lead the way for Syracuse.

At the November 2010 Cazenovia show Brock University brought up the rear with 14 points. One year later the Badgers again finished behind everyone else yet with an improved total of 19 points. Paige LeClerc, a second year student from Sudbury, Ontario was second in open flat while Rochelle Day (in open fences), Andrea Blombert (in novice flat) and Devyn Ledonne (in advanced walk-trot-canter) were yellow ribbon winners.

Though they may have shown at St. Lawrence a day earlier, Canisius College was not present at Cazenovia on the 20th. Seeing as Canisius entered the weekend with 64 points it is unclear if sitting out this show will put them in last place going into the winter break.

The Ride-Off: Held between the final section of advanced walk-trot-canter and the only section of beginner walk-trot-canter, Carpenter and Taylor returned to the ring to settle the high point rider issue. Early on judge Peter VanGuysling put both through traditional paces, though he did ask for a transition from the canter to the sitting trot. Then VanGuysling asked Carpenter and Taylor to drop their irons during the sitting trot and canter once again. A short time later Carpenter was awarded high point honors while Taylor was reserve. Both riders had already competed in previous IHSA ride-offs.

Several of the Region 2 teams have customized mounting blocks or step-stools such as S.U.N.Y. - Potsdam. Bears freshman Arielle Chin (pictured) rests on such a device prior to winning her novice flat. The Bears scored 33 points to finish behind only host Cazenovia and St. Lawrence for the day.

Thank you Dan Bergstresser for the western tid-bits of information!: The State University of New York at Oswego is co-coached by Dan and Jill Bergstresser. The Bergstressers also co-coach the S.U.N.Y. - Oswego western team, which includes several riders who overlap with the hunter seat roster. When Lauren Clark won the intermediate over fences, Dan pointed out that Clark "has three blue ribbons in advanced western." This is even more impressive when one realizes there have been only three Region 2 western shows so far in 2011-12! Later in the day Dan urged this writer to take a picture of Cazenovia College western assistant coach Jodi Pearsall (who used to ride for Morrisville State College when they were still S.U.N.Y. - Morrisville) and Christine Petrone of the Wildcats. Petrone came out of the first three western shows with 35 of a possible 42 points to lead the Region 2 western open rider standings.

More second generation IHSA riders: Potsdam's Parker Simms pointed out that this writer may have met her sister Alexis during the October 22nd Skidmore College show in Zone 2, Region 3 as she competes for S.U.N.Y. - Albany (this writer has indeed met Alexis, who has been photographed on more than one occasion). It turns out their mother is a former IHSA rider. Holly Deyo was class of '86 at S.U.N.Y. - Potsdam and rode for the Bears back when St. Lawrence routinely captured a Region Title every year. Simms rides for a second-generation IHSA coach, as Debbie Healey is the daughter of former St. Lawrence head coach Marilyn Cobb.

The heat is on: One year ago Cazenovia College Director of Riding Barb Lindberg told this writer that by the summer of 2012 Cazenovia would have installed a heating system for their indoor. Notoriously a cold place during winter months (but asthetically very pleasing), the Cazenovia indoor is not nearly as chilly after heating coils were installed in the ceiling this past summer. However it isn't completely tropical as the goal will be to maintain a consistant temperature of around 40 degrees fahrenheit. Still it was noticably warmer in the indoor compared with past seasons.

Daylight outside at the end of the show: For many years shows at Cazenovia were known to run past 5:00PM and sometimes even past 6:00. However when the IHSA re-aligned their regions two summers ago Region 2 shrunk slightly. Last season's Cazenovia show held four days before Thanksgiving was completed at 4:16PM (this was when the final placings were announced). Today's show ended even earlier, with the final walk-trot class results announced at 3:43PM. It is not clear if Canisius being absent today (or the fact that the University of Rochester switched from Region 2 to Region 1 during the off-season, or both) made for a shorter show. In any event those driving to and from Cazenovia are grateful to make part of the journey during daylight hours.

If you look closely you will notice something you don't see everyday at an IHSA show. Andrea Blomberg of Brock University (on far right, who may have qualified for Regionals in novice flat at today's show) has on a pair of 'Brock Gloves.' This writer cannot recall seeing a pair of non-riding gloves with the school name on them. From left to right are Brock coach Shara Pavan, Danielle Tackaberry, Paige LeClerc (in front of the others), Devyn Ledonne (behind LeClerc) and Blomberg.

And then there were two: As has been the case the past few seasons Zone 2, Region 2 will hold six fall hunter seat shows and then conclude their regular season schedule with two shows over the same weekend in late February (and as usual one is at Cazenovia and the other at St. Lawrence). Though Cazenovia has the talent to catch up to St. Lawrence over the February 25th/26th weekend this writer wants to say that if St. Lawrence wins it will be the freshmen who played a significant part in delivering a region title. This group of St. Lawrence freshman which competed today reminded me of the Centenary College freshmen during the 2008-09 season. At that time Centenary had many established riders but if any graduating class had the most depth and immediate impact it was Centenary's class of 2012. Many of the Centenary freshmen displaced the upperclassmen during the post season and when combined with one very good open rider's efforts (that open rider, Lindsay Clark, was a junior at the time) Centenary won their first National Championship in 30 years. This writer is not saying St. Lawrence will win the National Championship (heck, Cazenovia could be at Zones instead under the right circumstances) but there are similarities between the two. Whoever represents Region 2 at Zones that team will be a bonafide top five competitor for the IHSA hunter seat National Championship in Raleigh come May.

What do the "Show Incidentals" mean?: At the end of our stories on regular season shows we include what we call our "Show Incidentals." It could be called "The Box Score" as it is not unlike such a list found following a story on a Baseball or Basketball game. Because the length of an IHSA show can varry widely based on the number of rides per show the start and finish times are listed. Certain parts of the country hold very limited shows which may be completed in less than four hours. Subsequently some regions have unlimited shows which can run from 9AM to 6PM on rare occasions (though the 2010 IHSA realignment has thankfully made these occasions few and far between). If point cards are Not posted everyone in attendance at an IHSA show has no idea which teams are ahead of which throughout the day while where they are posted riders, parents and friends can all see which team is leading and which ones have a chance to catch the leader from the start of the day through to the conclusion. Some readers wish to know if alumni is offered in a specific region. If a region offers alumni but alumni classes were not held that day we will explain that fact. The rest of the incidentals are self-explanitory (who was the Judge that day, who were the stewards, how many points were scored by each team and who were the high point and reserve high point riders). Other statistics under consideration for being added to our incidentals for the 2012-13 season include number of actual rides (when this number is available) and average number of rides per division. The latter statistic would alert readers that at one show there might be roughly six riders in every class (meaning everyone will receive a ribbon if they stay on) while at another there might be ten or eleven (meaning a fair number of entries in each division did place). If readers have any other ideas about statistics that are not currently shown in these 'incidentals' please e-mail us at editor@campusequestrian.com and tell us your idea.

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Cloudy skies, with temperatures in the mid 50's. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 9:14AM. Finish: 3:43PM - includes 66 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting and a separate 20 minute schooling break. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? No. Judge: Peter VanGuysling, Guilderland, NY. Stewards: Drueding/St. Lawrence University, Van Patten/Syracuse University and J. Bergstresser/State University of New York at Oswego.

Team Totals: Cazenovia College (TIE-High Point Team) 43; St. Lawrence University (TIE-High Point Team) 43; State University of New York at Potsdam 33; University of Guelph 27; State University of New York at Geneseo 23; State University of New York at Oswego 21; University of Ottawa 21; Syracuse University 20 and Brock University 19.

High Point Rider - Brandi Carpenter, Cazenovia College
Reserve High Point Rider - Brooke Taylor, St. Lawrence University