Penn State freshman Lauren Powers (on left, riding 'Vita') won section B of open flat while teammate Brooke Shinners (on right, aboard 'Ben') was reserve champion. A freshman from Yardley, Pennsylvania, Powers found herself tied atop the Region 1 open rider standings through one show.

NITTANY LIONS CLAIM FIRSTS IN 12 of 17 UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES, WIN ON OPENING DAY BY NINE

Bellefonte, PA - When many high school-aged equestrians contemplate where they might like to go to college, a fair number have aspirations of competing on a team which is recognized at that college or university as part of the athletics department. In other words 'Equestrian' is considered a varsity sport at that particular school.

By using this rationale many will overlook some of the best club sports teams the IHSA has to offer. One of the top IHSA teams from year-to-year that operates under club sports is Penn State University (State College/University Park Campus). In what is certainly a rarity within the IHSA, the front page of the Penn State show program on September 25th not only mentioned IHSAinc.com (which is the IHSA's official web site) and the USHJA (which is a partner with the IHSA) but also "Penn State Club Sports." Though this writer has never investigated how PSU's club sports operates he marvels at how successful the Nittany Lions have been since 1988-89 when the team from State College shocked the IHSA by tieing for high point team (with Colby-Sawyer College) at IHSA Nationals.

Since 1989 Nationals Penn State has captured a region title every season save for 1992 and 2002. The Nittany Lions have advanced a full hunter seat team to IHSA Nationals 17 of the past 23 seasons. If the events of the season opener at Eastwood Farms are any indication of what is to come in 2011-12 then Penn State has a better-than-average chance of sending a full team to Delaware Valley College for Zone 3 Zones on April 1st.

Lebanon Valley College is one of two Region 1 schools with a new Head Coach in 2011-12. That coach is Cheryl Longreen (on far left), who saw her LVC team score 12 points without an open flat rider. From left to right are Longreen, co-captain Laine Pendleton, co-captain Mandi Albright and freshman Hannah Boltz, the latter of whom earned LVC's top ribbon of the day with a second in novice over fences.

Though they had only split the first eight undergraduate classes of the day with the rest of the region, Penn State was red hot after that. The Nittany Lions were blue ribbon winners in 12 of 17 undergraduate classes overall. Brendan Weiss, a sophomore from Southampton, Pennsylvania won both of his intermediate classes to make up half the ride-off. Allison Healy, a freshman from Bellingham, Massachusetts did likewise to join Weiss in the ride-off. Kirsten Noggle (a freshman, from Newton, New Jersey; in open fences), Lauren Powers (freshman, Yardley, Pennsylvania; in open flat), Maddy Fass (freshman, Westport, Connecticut; in novice flat), Haleigh Boswell (junior, Woodstock, New York; in advanced walk-trot-canter), Martina Hirschmann (senior, Hermatige, Pennsylvania; in advanced walk-trot-canter), Samarah LaFoca (sophomore, West Pittstown, Pennsylvania; in beginner walk-trot-canter), Jess Hanlon (junior, York, Pennsylvania; in walk-trot) and Courtney Claypool (junior, from somewhere in Connecticut; in novice fences) also won blue ribbons on September 25th. With a third in open fences Powers ended the day tied for first in the Region 1 open rider standings. Five of the Nittany Lions' blue ribbon winners won classes of six riders or more where each was the only Penn State rider in the ring at the time. In addition Brooke Shinners (in open flat), Lauren Massi (in intermediate fences), Erin Donlon (same) and Kelly Post (in novice flat) each won red ribbons for the Nittany Lions. Though it was not all that one-sided through the first eight classes, Penn State scored a robust 44 points (out of a possible 49) to win by a healthy nine points over Gettysburg College.

The Bullets were impressive in defeat, scoring 35 points. Julie Weisz, a senior from Coto de Caza, California who rode in both individual open classes at 2011 IHSA Nationals led the way for Gettysburg with a win in open fences and a third in open flat. Weisz ended the afternoon tied with Powers atop the open rider standings. Rachel Dalkin, a sophomore from Charlottesville, Virginia won the first section of novice fences. Jenna Pappas, a freshman from Clinton, New Jersey who was one of a handful of riders to ride in back-to-back classes, won her novice flat after placing fourth in novice fences moments earlier. Freshman Danielle Keim came through with a second in her IHSA debut (in advanced walk-trot-canter). Katie Brennan (in walk-trot) and Julie Ivers added two more red ribbons, with the latter second to Fass in the novice flat class which concluded the scheduled classes.

Though it is difficult to see, both Julie Weisz (standing) and Meghan Spellman (mounted) of Gettysburg College have their lucky clover collars on! The collar was luckier for Weisz, who won her open fences and finished the day tied for first in the Region 1 open rider standings. The Bullets were reserve champions with a very healthy 35 points.

Though they did not receive a first place ribbon on opening day, Susquehanna University had a full card and earned third place honors with 23 points. Amanda Maggiano, a sophomore from Oakland, New Jersey earned the only red ribbon of the day for the Crusaders. Maggiano was second in novice fences while also placing fifth in intermediate flat. Meghan Marsters (in intermediate fences), Annie Cecil (in novice flat) and Kim Hughes (same) were yellow ribbon winners for Susquehanna.

Bucknell University had one of the two blue ribbons not won by Penn State or Gettysburg on the 25th. Hanna Botney, a senior from St. Louis, Missouri won the second section of open fences (Botney finished ahead of Powers and Noggle who won open flat classes at various times). Grace Howard (in open fences), Charlotte Marks (in intermediate fences) and Gillian Sheffy (in intermediate flat) each took seconds for the Bison while Carly Riemann (in novice fences) and Lauren Drew (in advanced walk-trot-canter) received thirds. Bucknell was the second of three teams to score in the twenties, earning 21 points.

Rounding out the top five with an even 20 points was Dickinson College. 2011 Dickinson graduate Erin Bair handled the coaching duties on this day, as Head Coach Lindsay Vulich was needed at a non-IHSA show. Bair saw Christina Wolf lead the way for the Red Devils. A junior from Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania, Wolf was second in both of her open classes to finish the day a point behind Weisz and Powers in the Region 1 open rider standings. Claire Persichetti, a senior from Portland, Oregon was the only other Dickinson rider in the top two. Persichetti was second in walk-trot. Julia Sturgeon (in intermediate fences) and Elizabeth Austin (in an earlier section of walk-trot) added thirds for Dickinson, which like every other top five team had a full point card.

Grace Howard (on left) was second in Section A of open fences right before Bucknell University teammate Hanna Botney (on right) won Section B. The Bison finished fourth on opening day with 21 points.

None of the remaining four teams had a full card at today's show. Lebanon Valley College was one of two teams with a new Head Coach. The Dutchmen (who are currently an all-female team) are now led by Cheryl Longreen, who replaced original head coach Jen Fralick. Longreen saw her Dutchmen (or Dutch Women) score 12 points for sixth place. Freshman Hannah Boltz earned LVC's top ribbon for the day in her debut IHSA ride, placing second to Dalkin in novice fences. Junior Mandi Albright was third in intermediate flat while another junior, Laine Pendleton, was third in advanced walk-trot-canter. If Albright points into open flat Lebanon Valley could at least temporarily have a full point card.

Wilson College may have been seventh with 11 points, yet the Phoenix earned seven of them with one ride. Jessica Middleberg, a sophomore from Mount Laurel, New Jersey who was making her IHSA debut, won the second section of walk-trot. Jessica Masilotti followed up Middleberg's ride with a second in advanced walk-trot-canter in the following class. Allie Veach added a third in beginner walk-trot-canter for Wilson, who have the other new Region 1 Head Coach in Gina Hall.

Had Millersville University's intermediate rider not been a scratch the Marauders would have had a full point card with only six riders present. With six of eight places filled Millersville finished with six points. Open flat rider Danielle Roher, beginner walk-trot-canter rider Avie Eckels and walk-trot rider Denali Mengel each placed fifth to earn a third of the Millersville opening day total.

Juniata College was unable to score at Eastwood Farms on the 25th. The Eagles were a one-woman team at today's show, with senior Elura Fink the be-all to end-all. Sadly Fink was not in the top six in either open flat or intermediate fences. Still give Fink credit for not only representing Juniata but for nearly hosting a show (scheduled for mid-October it was only cancelled after the pre-booked boarding school facility decided to no longer host IHSA shows unless outside horses are brought in).

Seen here with Kim Hughes (center, who was third in novice flat) and Sarah Renfroe (on right, who was fifth in advanced walk-trot-canter), Susquehanna University head coach Jan Phillips saw the Crusaders come in third for the day with 23 points. Last season Susquehanna was fourth overall in Region 1 behind Penn State, Dickinson & Gettysburg which is so far their highest year-end ranking. Can the Crusaders move up a place in 2011-12 and set a new program high?

For the first time in several years there were Alumni classes held on opening day in Region 1. Though Penn State had only one of the four alumni entered, it was 2010 Nittany Lion graduate Elise Settani winning the alumni fences. Three Lebanon Valley graduates made up the rest of the field, with 2010 graduate (and 2011 IHSA Nationals qualifier) Sarah Bechtel second, 2007 graduate Kristi Jacobsen third and 2011 graduate Julia Olley fourth. The alumni flat placings saw Settani drop to the back of the pack, with everyone else moving up a place (Bechtel won, followed by Jacobsen, Olley and Settani). Though she is signed up to ride in this region it will not be until October 2nd when 2011 Washington College graduate Kristie Heitmann makes her alumni (and Region 1) debut.

The Ride-Off: Though Region 1 sometimes holds ride-offs, judge Amy Keefer (herself an IHSA coach in Zone 6, Region 5) decided to break the tie between Weiss and Healy with a question-and-answer session. In contrast to most shows both riders were required to get dressed up again and escort a horse out to the judge who was located on one side of the ring. After a relatively short time (sometimes Q&A's take longer than actually having a ride-off - Editor) Weiss was announced as the high point rider for the day while Healy was reserve in her IHSA debut.

Don't lose that number: Zone 3, Region 1 has a policy of assigning numbers to riders that should be good until one graduates. However if someone loses their back number they must pay $2.00 for a replacement number. This number will be a different number than the lost number. This policy is unique to Zone 3, Region 1 as far as this writer knows.

The eighteen wheeler at the top of the hill: At every show Penn State hosts there is always a horse trailer parked near the driveway to Eastwood Farms and the holding area. Riders from other schools may be surprised to know that trailer is only located in this spot for IHSA shows. This writer thought maybe the trailer was positioned there to alert drivers that they have reached Eastwood Farms and not to go any further. However according to Eastwood Farms owner David Flynn the trailer has a simple and even more significant use. Because the outdoor ring is not near any suitable building, the trailer serves as the Horse Show Office, where riders can pick up ribbons and the show secretary can calculate points among other duties.

The finest panoramic view: This writer told Flynn and Nittany Lions coach Malinda Grice but he wants everyone else to know: The panoramic view near the outdoor ring at Eastwood Farms is the most beautiful he knows of in the entire IHSA! This is because the ring is at the highest point of the property which in turn is at the top of a mountain. Sometimes small planes (with propellers) take off and land nearby (far enough away not to spook horses thankfully). Mountains can be seen for many miles in nearly every direction, and sometimes one can even spot different weather conditions in the distance. Fortunately the predicted rain for today's show only materialized around the time the ride-off Q & A was taking place, with much of the show held under sunny skies and a surprising high of about 80 degrees.

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Mostly cloudy skies but with occasional breaks of sun. Temperatures reached the low '80's. Start time: 10:05AM. Finish: 3:40PM - Includes 50 minute lunch break/Coaches and Captain's meeting. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Amy Keefer. Stewards: Groomes/Gettysburg College, C. Scott/Millersville University and Phillips-Hillyard/Bucknell University.

Team Totals: Penn State University (High Point Team) 44; Gettysburg College 35; Susquehanna University 23; Bucknell University 21; Dickinson College (Reserve) 21; Lebanon Valley College 12; Wilson College 11; Millersville University 6 and Juniata College 0.

High Point Rider - Brendan Weiss, Penn State University
Reserve High Point Rider - Allison Healy, Penn State University