Skidmore wins; Colgate one back, Cornell two behind

Otego, NY - It came down to the beginner walk-trot division at the end of the day, as Skidmore hung on for a one point victory over Colgate and a two point win over Cornell. Thoroughbred sophomore Erina Malarkey of Ipswich, MA was the high point rider, placing first in both novice divisions while teammate Jaime Jansen (of Rochester, NY) won a five-way ride-off for reserve. Besides Malarkey, other Skidmore riders to place first were Jansen (open flat), Heather Drabek (same), Brooke Summers (intermediate fences), Jocelyn Tunney (novice flat), Alyssa Garvin (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Laura Wittman (open fences), a freshman from Falmouth, MA who edged out another of head coach Cindy Fords' Massachusetts recruits, freshman Liz Anderson of Marthas' Vineyard, MA (both seen in photo on left) both of whom rode in the third class of the morning.

Before the show started, Colgate head coach Ania Krasinski wondered aloud if her raiders would end the day in third place or in second. Kate Norris of New Canaan, CT and Aimee Colbath of Dover, NH won the first two classes of the day outright, both in open fences. From there on, the raiders were never below second. Other Colgate riders to win blue ribbons were Aubrey Graham (novice fences), Laurel Koester (intermediate flat), Sarah Round (advanced walk-trot-canter) and Eve Share (same).

Chris and Martha Mitchells' Cornell team placed higher and higher as the day went along. Alaina Hoffman of Bellingham, WA was the first big red rider to win a blue ribbon, victorious in intermediate fences. Gillian Pech won her novice fences class soon afterwards (and would compete in a five-way ride-off for reserve high point rider). Meagan Gates (intermediate flat), Erin Goodrich (beginner walk-trot-canter) and Kim Huppe (walk-trot) all would win their respective classes as well.

The walk-trot division ultimatly gave victory to Skidmore. Each of the top three teams had watched their pointed walk-trot-canter riders get firsts to leave everyone tied at 34 if you remove the drop scores at that time. Elizabeth Carr of S.U.N.Y. - Morrisville won the first walk-trot class, with Hartwicks' Krista Baker second. Christie Rowley of Colgate was third (and pointed) while Linda Nguyen of Cornell (also pointed) was fourth. This gave Colgate a one point lead on Cornell. The second walk-trot class contained the pointed Skidmore rider, Kaja Ciupinski. If Ciupinski placed third their would be a tie for high point team. If she placed fourth, Colgate would win and Cornell and Skidmore would be tied a point back. Hilary Brandman became the only S.U.N.Y. - Binghamton rider to win a class when she placed first, yet Ciupinski placed second, giving the thoroughbreds a narrow opening day victory.

Almost every team could claim a blue ribbon at todays' opener (making the region the last one nationwide to start their season). Aside from those already mentioned, Kelly Cooman (intermediate fences) and Nicole Gan (open flat) of host Hartwick were winners; Rachel Beckner (novice fences) and Sophia Stolarcyk (advanced walk-trot-canter) joined Carr as Morrisville winners; Joamy Herzog of S.U.N.Y. - Cobleskill won her first-ever flat class, one of five sections of novice flat; Erica Zamoiski of Ithaca College won another of those novice flat classes; and RPI teammates Katie Opper (intermediate flat) and Mariah Hughlock (novice flat) both won their flat classes, both placed second in their fences classes, and both were part of the five-way ride-off for reserve won by Jansen. Nora Hanlons' RPI team was three members strong today, but thanks to Opper and Hughlock, their team total of 24 points was better than four others!

If you can't be first: Kristin Ahern (novice flat), Casey Danton (same) and Meris Horowitz (advanced walk-trot-canter) all placed second for Hanlons' other team present at todays' show, the Siena saints. Hanlon will also coach S.U.N.Y. - Albany once they are ready to show, and joked during the meeting that she has "Cornered the Market" on coaching in the Albany area (at least south of Saratoga Springs).

Schneckner and Still lead alumni: Only three alumni participated today, with Cornell graduate Christie Schneckner on top in alumni flat while Berry alumni Kelly Still was first over fences. Schneckner and Still swapped placings in the opposite divisions, while another Cornell graduate, Missy Potter, was third both times. Alumni rep Schneckner said there will be others, perhaps several of whom rode last season.

Show Incidentals: High Temperature in the upper 40's. Mostly overcast, occassional sun. Entire show held indoors. Start time: 9:04AM. Finish: 3:41PM - includes 55 minute lunch break/coaches & captains meeting and two separate schooling breaks totaling an additional 22 minutes. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Tony Sgarlata, Skaneatelles, NY. Stewards: Eklund/State University of New York at Morrisville, Ford/Skidmore College and C. Mitchell/Cornell University.

Team Totals: Skidmore College (High Point Team) 39; Colgate University (Reserve) 38; Cornell University 37; State University of New York at Morrisville 29; Hartwick College 28; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 24; Ithaca College 23; State University of New York at Binghamton 19; Siena College 19 and State University of New York at Cobleskill 6.

High Point Rider - Erina Malarkey, Skidmore College
Reserve High Point Rider - Jaime Jansen, Skidmore College