|
||||||||||||
|
ST. JOSEPH'S WINS WHILE NYU HOLDS TOP SPOT OVERALL Melville, NY - Prior to today's show at the Thomas School of Horsemanship, defending Zone 2, Region 4 Region Champion St. Joseph's College had yet to earn a high point team ribbon at any of the first four Region 4 shows of 2010-11. That changed as St. Joseph's earned five blue ribbons on Halloween (including two for Tara Donohue) and prevailed over host Molloy College by a 35-31 score. C.W. Post was third with 29 while New York University scored 24 after having won the previous two shows. St. Joseph's now trails NYU by ten points halfway through the Region 4 season. Brittany Hoffman (in beginner walk-trot-canter), Kristina Koehler (junior, Coram, New York, in advanced walk-trot-canter), Ashley Clark (senior, Shoram, New York, in novice flat) and Donohue (sophomore, Centerport, New York, in open flat and intermediate fences) won classes for St. Joseph's, with Donohue qualifying for the ride-off. In addition Clark was second in novice fences. Host Molloy College was Reserve Champion and finished the day fourth overall. Theresa Hempstead (junior, East Rockaway, New York, in walk-trot), Mary Rose Migliore (sophomore, Syosset, New York, in novice fences) and Megan Larkin (junior, Rockville Center, New York, in open fences) won classes as Molloy hosted their "34th Annual Horse Show" though there were two Molloy shows prior to the one in 1977-78 which started the streak. Hempstead's win pleased many, as she was the "Most Hugged" rider of the day and also received the most 'high fives.' One uncommon facet of today's show was that Molloy only schooled horses prior to the show which arrived that morning. Most of the horses were schooled over fences both Friday and Saturday, but not the morning of the show. Molloy Head Coach Carole Gerrity indicated that she didn't "want the horses overworked the morning of the show" so that those already at the Thomas School made their first appearances of the day in an actual IHSA class. "The horses went perfectly," said Gerrity after the fences classes had been completed.
C.W. Post College tied their best score so far in 2010-11, earning 29 points just as they had done when Columbia hosted on October 10th. The highlight of the day came early on for CWP as Kristen Zimmermann (sophomore, Massapequa Park, New York) won her open flat. Zimmerman would later finish second in intermediate fences while teammates Laura Powell (in intermediate flat), Natalie Depinto (novice flat), Melanie Teixeira (walk-trot) and Jennifer Cotrone (same) also earned red ribbons. For roughly eight seasons Campus Equestrian has refered to this team as Long Island University - C.W. Post College. However since the team identifies itself simply as "C.W. Post College" on their jackets (and when referenced at other times) that we will officially list them as C.W. Post College from now on, just as was the case prior to the school becoming part of the LIU system. It has been an unpredictable season for New York University thus far. The Violets scored 19 points on opening day to finish seventh out of eight schools. Then they scored 23 and moved into fifth place. Their 40 point total at Country Farms a week later moved them up into first place (and that 40 score is still the high mark for any Region 4 team so far in 2010-11) while 36 at Olde Towne on October 24th was another blue ribbon performance which solidified their lead. Today NYU slipped back a little, with their 24 score hampered by a few less-than-steller rides early in the day. Individually the Violets had a good day, with Bonnie Auger (sophomore, West Chester, Pennsylvania) earning blue ribbons in both of her novice classes. Auger, who was high point rider twice already this season, thus joined Donohue in today's bonus class. Mallory DiVincenzo (senior, Hamden, Connecticut) won her novice flat class while Fiona McKie was a winner in advanced walk-trot-canter. NYU riders who earned red ribbons were Shelby Wakeman (in open flat), Katie Young (in novice flat) and Madison Wiles-Haffner (in advanced walk-trot-canter). Dowling College, which surprised many by tieing for high point team on opening day, scored 21 points. The Golden Lions were not only fifth for the day but are tied for fifth overall through five Region 4 shows. Nicole Zerafa (sophomore, Medford, New York) was a winner in novice flat while Hayley Knopf (senior, Northport, New York; the 'K' is silent) won the final class before the ride-off, the second of two sections of walk-trot. Dowling has scored 108 points so far, an average of nearly 22 per show with only six of eight divisions filled on their point card at today's show.
Nassau Community College earned 20 or more points for the second weekend in a row, earning exactly 20. Nassau swept the intermediate flat divisions, with Alison Cawley (sophomore, Massapequa, New York) and Angela Stallone (junior, West Babylon, New York) earning back-to-back blue ribbons. Kerriann Salati (freshman, West Islip, New York) added a blue ribbon later in novice fences. Stallone was second in intermediate fences while Emily Parks earned a red ribbon in beginner walk-trot-canter. We do not know who number 159 was in the first section of advanced walk-trot-canter, but judging by the sequence of riders who wore numbers in the high 150's and low 160's at today's show this may have been Courtney Baumann of Nassau. Nassau earned 20 points without a walk-trot rider or anyone in the open divisions. Though Nassau has only 50 points through October 31st their total is misleading. While the other eight Region 4 schools have competed in five shows, Nassau earned their points since only the third show of the season. Stony Brook University tied Dowling for first on opening day and five weeks later both are still tied at 108 points. After scoring 30 points for high point honors at the Columbia show the Seawolves have scored 18, 17 and 16 points, respectively. Head Coach Myrna Treuting was not happy with Stony Brook's effort on October 24th and though a bit happier after some respectable placings early Treuting could not be too happy with only 16 points total for the day. Lauren Miller, a junior from Syosset, New York who rode for the University of Buffalo last season, won the Seawolves' lone blue ribbon of the day with a first in intermediate fences. Earlier Clarke Bennett had placed second to Zimmermann in open flat while Elizabeth Lugten was second to Auger in novice fences two classes after Miller's win. This is a better Stony Brook team than their record (or recent point totals) indicate and it would not surprise this writer if the Seawolves suddenly won a few shows in this rather unpredictable region. Only those named "Ross" had much luck on a 'Hoss' for the Columbia Lions. Jill Ross, a senior from Millwood, New York was second over fences and fourth on the flat. Ross continues to lead the Region 4 open rider standings. Her younger sister Mary faired slightly better. The sophomore was second in both her novice flat and novice fences classes. Three other Columbia riders earned third place ribbons. The Lions were without an intermediate rider and finished with 13 points.
Rounding out the scoring was Hofstra University with 12 points. Stefanie Gayer was second in intermediate flat while Linda Bledgen was second in novice flat for Hofstra's only top-two placings. The original plan was for there to be two sections of alumni flat but because five of the 14 riders scheduled to compete were scratches the decision was made to hold one section of nine entries. Amanda Gerdts, who rode for Salve Regina University in Rhode Island as an undergraduate won the alumni flat while Diane Bollen, who was a teammate of Gerdts at Salve but later transferred to St. John's and then to Hofstra won the lone section of alumni fences. Former Stony Brook Cacchione Cup rider Rachel Cresswell was second on the flat while Columbia graduate (and Region 4 Alumni Representative) Jess Nichols was second over fences. The Ride-Off: Though Donohue is half open/half intermediate at the moment it was novice rider Auger prevailing as high point rider for the third time in five tries this season. Just like Cooperstown!: Over the summer Gerrity was inducted into the Molloy College athletics department Hall of Fame. Though Gerrity does not like to count the time in the early 1970's as 'coaching time' at Molloy, instead officially acknowledging her start around 1976, we at Campus Equestrian feel she has been involved with the Molloy program since 1970. During the summer St. Joseph's Director of Riding Sheila Rodgers was elected into that school's athletics Hall of Fame, giving Region 4 two Hall of Famers.
The Editor has a special treat for you!: This writer had hoped to talk about the book "Horse Sense" at today's Coaches and Captains meeting. Due to circumstances beyond his control this writer did not have the opportunity to speak at all during this meeting. If I did I would have talked about how the book came out in April of 2010 and how the book is about the history of the IHSA, the life of IHSA Founder and Executive Director Bob Cacchione, and about how riding has evolved since the middle of the 20th century. Jeanne Eichelsdoerfer, the Author of "Horse Sense" has kindly allowed Campus Equestrian to post the sixth chapter of her book, entitled "Day of Judgment." We thank Eichelsdoerfer for permission to post a slightly edited version of this chapter and hope you enjoy it. Here's how Bob Cacchione felt about the judging phase of a horse show: "Horse Shows are a great way to show those in authority what you can do, and if you get judged down on anything, you have the chance to do it right the next time. It's a great learning experience and with the next show, the chance to show what you've learned." There are as many ways to react as there are reasons to ride, but to deal now with the practical aspects of an IHSA horse show, what would a competitor worry about? The rider will have the team and the coach, previous training, and whatever emotional baggage is part of his/her psyche. What does the judge have? The judge must have an "R" (Registered) rating in the USEF (an "r" is OK for regular shows), a total understanding of the rules for each class, extensive equestrian knowledge and experience, a workable method of recordkeeping, complete impartiality and a professional manner. It also appears that judges are totally conversant with body language and have developed an uncanny ability to sense the spirit of horse and rider.
These qualities can be applied to various equine events, but the IHSA shows are tests confined to equitation on the flat and over fences; the rider's horsemanship and sporting attitude are judged and no penalty may be assessed because of the horse's conformation or way of going. One judge, Hallie I. McEvoy, explains it thus: "In some ways a judge must work even harder to see through any horse problems that may affect the basics of good equitation that a rider is displaying." Judges generally agree that first impressions are important, and the rider is wise to focus on doing it right as soon as mounted. To aid the mindful rider, some judges spell it out. Fran Dotoli, top judge and USHJA committee member, likes: "...a Stirrup length that accomodates the size and shape of the horse and rider, a straight line between elbow and bit, and heels down." Judy Richter, "R" judge and trainer at her Coker Farm in Bedford, NY, looks for "neat and tidy," polished boots, hair net, conservative outfit; no fanciful colors in breeches or colored linings in jackets...these are bad attention-getters. An annoyance is the little circles riders do, fine if required for safety or position, but not good if done to attract the judge's attention. Judy likes to see a relaxed attitude and pleasant appearance, as if the rider knew it was supposed to be fun. Judges tend to emphasize the crucial element of attitude; competitors in IHSA horse shows compete in earnest and with the desperate purpose of being "the best." How should the winner and the many losers take this state of affairs? Judy Richter says that the competitor has paid for one person's opinion as to "best" for that day and, winners or losers, all must realize that another day may be another story.
Judge Martha Brozski feels that a rider must take any show result as the luck of the draw, the horse drawn by lot being a condition of IHSA horse shows and to be used as a trial opportunity. The rider's attention should be kept firmly on progress, the personal progress made from month to month. Martha finds that this is the important goal, not the points earned or the performance at a show. "This underscores the value of giving one's personal best, something one can be proud of at all times." Judge Gretchen Mathes sees "the luck of the draw" as a useful opportunity to appraise rider ability. As the classes proceed and the horses return class after class, a judge notes changes in their response, the horse's own "judgement" of the rider on his back. After reminding students that "...the focus is on competition..." Sue Payne, Director of Riding at Smith College, assures them that "it's all about fun, not just competition. A horse show is a homework assignment. Find out what you need to work on and improve, whether it's for the next horse show or some other challenge. So what does Bob Cacchione say, when all is said and done? What else? "Did you have fun?" ("Horse Sense" is available at Beval Saddlery, and on-line at www.bledsoebooks.com or directly from author Jeanne Eichelsdoerfer at her e-mail address, jeichels@aol.com.) --Steve Maxwell Show Incidentals: Partly sunny skies, with temperatures reaching the mid '50's. Start time: 8:53AM. Finish: 3:03PM - includes 39 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni classes held in this Region? Yes. Judge: Dr. Connie Lacy Rock. Stewards: Mercil/Dowling College, Treuting/Stony Brook University and Rigert/St. Joseph's College. Team Totals: St. Joseph's College (High Point Team) 35; Molloy College (Reserve) 31; C.W. Post College 29; New York University 24; Dowling College 21; Nassau Community College 20; Stony Brook University 16, Columbia University 13 and Hofstra University 12. High Point Rider - Bonnie Auger, New York University
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
HOME
| CONTACT US |
||||||||||||
