Erin Hurley (on right) won the first section of novice fences while Marist College teammate Becky Zinchuk (on left) won the second. Red Foxes head coach Claire Knapp witnessed five of her riders win classes on November 10th as all nine schools co-hosted the final Briarwood Farm show for their region. And oh yes Marist won the show too!

MARIST WINS FINAL ZONE 3, REGION 3 BRIARWOOD SHOW

Readington, NJ - The 'current' Briarwood Farm in Readington, New Jersey has hosted IHSA shows every season since Jack and Katie Benson relocated from the previous Briarwood Farm in nearby Oldwick, New Jersey in mid-1993. At that time two different IHSA regions used Briarwood, with one then known as Zone 2, Region 1 and the other as Zone 3, Region 2. One school from each of these regions, Rutgers from the latter and Drew University from the former, sent their riders to Briarwood for lessons, as the Bensons were most knowledgable about the IHSA format (Katie Benson herself under her maiden name Katie Plum had competed for Mount Holyoke College in the mid 1980's).

As time went by and the IHSA expanded, additional regions (in some cases they were offshoots of Zone 3, Region 2) contacted the Bensons in hope of scheduling their IHSA shows at the facility where for a flat fee everything but the judge was included. And the most important part of 'everything' was the large number of lesson horses that were taylor-made for accomodating riders in specific divisions if one could put it that way. Some would say the Briarwood horses were anointed to take IHSA riders in each direction at the walk, trot or canter (or over eight jumps) at whatever level each was placed in at the time.

I did it then she did it then we did it: Leah Samouhos of Centenary College (on left) won the first of three sections of intermediate fences. Teammate Katie St. Cyr (center) won the section section while a third Cyclone, Deanna Zajic (on right) won the third and final intermediate jumping class. Centenary riders swept the top ribbon in open flat and both intermediate divisions. On all but one occasion in these three divisions Centenary had three or more riders in each section. In many of the divisions a non-point rider from Centenary defeated a point rider which is why the Cyclones finished second for the day with 27 points.

During the 2010-11 season five different IHSA regions held at least one show at Briarwood Farm. However in February of 2010 Jack Benson passed away. It had been Jack who was in charge of the original Briarwood (there was yet another Briarwood location prior to Oldwick, which some mention as the old-old location). During the time from the mid 1970's through 1993 Katie Benson went from the lesson program to being Mrs. Benson while IHSA shows regularly took place, some of which Katie schooled horses at before, during and maybe even after the competitions (some call the second Briarwood the 'Hill and Dale location' as it was located at the end of Hill and Dale Road in Oldwick).

Katie continued to operate Briarwood but prior to the start of the 2013-14 season word got out that a change was in the works. The actual owners of the property on which the current Briarwood Farm sits had a desire to turn the facility into an organic farm. The current Briarwood Farm had in fact been leased to the Bensons since they relocated from Oldwick. It came to pass that the wheels were put in motion to relocate most of the horses by the end of calendar year 2013 and to cease scheduling IHSA shows beyond November of 2013 so that the owners could start the conversion to organics sometime after the first of the year. In a nutshell this would mean the end of an era for the IHSA at 161 Pleasant Run Road in Readington, New Jersey.

Even with the days numbered, four different IHSA regions managed to hold at least one show at Briarwood between September 29th and November 17th. East Stroudsburg University hosted the Zone 3, Region 4 opener there on September 29th; The University of Pennsylvania hosted a Zone 3, Region 5 show on October 26th; Multiple schools in Zone 3, Region 1 acted as hosts over the November 16th/17th weekend while Zone 3, Region 3, the former Zone 2, Region 1 which in actuality is the original founding IHSA Region based on geography, held four shows at Briarwood between October 6th and November 10th.

The final Briarwood show for this region took place on a slightly overcast Sunday but fortunately a dry one as well. This show was co-hosted by the entire region as a group effort (the program stated 'Hosted by All Colleges in Zone 3, Region 3 - "It Takes a Village"') and was limited to 200 rides overall. Region-leading Centenary College had at least 67 of the 200 while eight other schools and four alumni divided up the rest. Though Centenary had a substantial edge in entries, and that they had won four of the first five shows of the season the high point ribbon would instead go to Marist College.

"Marshall" probably thinks he was reserve champion in intermediate flat but in actuality it was Maggie Robbins of SUNY - New Paltz who was second in her flat class. The senior is seen here with her parents (while holding Marshall) on a day when the Hawks were one of three teams to score 16 points.

It was a good omen for the Red Foxes when Kim Koenig (sophomore, from Newtown, Pennsylvania) won the open fences class which started the competition at 8:47AM. Ex-Auburn University varsity rider Taylor Cechini was second in the second section of open fences. Later novice fences riders Erin Hurley (freshman, Hampton, New Jersey) and Becky Zinchuk (senior, Medway, Massachusetts) won consecutive novice fences classes for Marist. Katie Wicks (sophomore, Stewart Manor, New York) would add one more blue ribbon in walk-trot while Lana Tenaglia (in beginner walk-trot-canter) and Natalie Vayda (in novice flat) would earn red ribbons for the Red Foxes, winners with a somewhat low 'high' score of 31 points. This marked the first time since at least the spring of 2010 that Marist had earned high point team honors. This also meant that after going undefeated all of the 2012-13 season prior to Nationals and winning the first three shows of 2013-14 the Cyclones had now lost two of the three most recent Zone 3, Region 3 shows.

Though they scored only 27 points for Reserve High Point team Centenary College could only blame themselves (literally) as many of their point riders lost head-to-head with non-point rider teammates. After watching riders from Marist and Drew win the first two classes of the day the Cyclones won seven consecutive classes spaning open flat and both intermediate divisions. Centenary nearly equaled this feat later in the day, winning six consecutive classes. In total 15 of the 26 undergraduate classes were won by Centenary riders, including two for Morgan Knightes. A freshman from Albany, New York, Knightes got her time in the seat all at once. The High Point Rider showed in novice fences in the upper ring (the original outdoor ring), then moved over to the ring used for all the flat classes and won the novice flat class which followed. Knightes was the only rider with two firsts while teammate Samantha Bober (junior, Roselle Park, New Jersey) won her novice flat and was second to Hurley in novice fences to capture Reserve High Point Rider honors as no one else even managed to do that. Other blue ribbon winners for Centenary were Samantha Pyle (in open flat), Shelby Cashman (same), Cody Wooton (intermediate flat), Jessica Colantuono (same), Leah Samouhos (intermediate fences), Katie St. Cyr (same), Deanna Zajic (same), Kaylee Donahue (novice flat), Elaine Wessel (novice fences), Ronan Buckley (advanced walk-trot-canter), Katie Tolla (beginner walk-trot-canter) and Hope Morris (same). The Cyclones were red ribbon-challenged by contrast, with only ten of those! Besides Bober red ribbons were awarded to Kathryn Haley (open flat), Trevor Hawthorne (same), Kayla Felstedt (intermediate flat), Brooke Nestor (intermediate fences), Phillip Williamson (same), Lauren Buettner (same), Kylie Sheppard (novice flat), Kara Burgess (same) and Morgan Haller (advanced walk-trot-canter).

The United States Military Academy scored 24 points for third place. The Black Knights did not have a blue ribbon over the first 17 undergraduate classes. Then Alex Moore kick-started Army to five blue ribbons over the final nine classes. A junior from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Moore won the third of five sections of novice flat. Moments later Scott Dragland (freshman, Orangeville, California) won walk-trot while Moira Fontenot (freshman, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) was an advanced walk-trot-canter winner to give the USMA three straight wins. In section 1C of walk-trot the USMA had the top two placings, with Alex Vinson the winner and Samantha Verdusco the reserve champion. While Emily Kozma was second in the 25th class of the day (which was section 3E of novice flat) the fifth Army blue ribbon of the day was of historical interest. When Holly Rodeo (freshman, Roseville, California) won the third section of advanced walk-trot-canter she became the final rider of the day to win a class. Rodeo's win in the 26th class made her the final rider in the history of the IHSA's original region to win a blue ribbon at Briarwood Farm.

"Superfan" wouldn't miss this! The man who refers to himself simply as the Drew University "Superfan" poses with (from left) former Drew riders Sandra Sayre, Karen Sykes (who has coached Drew since 2001), Kristine Kennedy, Rachel Denning and Haley Flagg (the horse's name is unknown). Sykes invited many former Drew riders back for the final Region 3 Briarwood show. As a show manager Sykes also was instrumental in staging a humorous lead-line class which involved VIP's such as the Drew University athletic director and IHSA founder and executive director Bob Cacchione.

Even though they did not win any blue ribbons Stevens Institute of Technology finished only five points behind Centenary with 22 points. The Ducks were not strangers to red ribbons, with junior Jessica Spanier second to Koenig in the first class of the day. Marisa Pickell was second to Wessel in novice fences while Elisa Iribane was second to Fontenot in advanced walk-trot-canter.

Three schools tied for fifth place with 16 points each. Two of these three managed one blue ribbon each. The only team to score 16 without a blue ribbon was William Paterson University. Julie McDonald's second in advanced walk-trot-canter was the best ribbon for the Pioneers, who were without riders in the walk-trot or open divisions.

The State University of New Paltz scored 16 with all of the Hawks' ribbons above third place occuring over the final eight classes. Catherine LaRocca was second to Dragland in the first section of walk-trot while Amanda Corwin was second to wicks in the second walk-trot class two classes later. Elise Radel (sophomore, New Paltz, New York) won the final section of novice flat for the Hawks' only first of the day.

Drew University, which has trained at Briarwood for many years, scored 16 as well. The Rangers were led by Katie Walker (junior, Madison, Connecticut), who won the second class of the day (section B of open fences). Sabrina Camponagara was second to Zinchuk in novice fences. The Rangers not only had a full card but also many former riders in attendance.

Vassar College had three riders entered, and each placed to help the Brewers score eight points. Caroline Coleman was third in beginner walk-trot-canter, Patrick Gardullo was sixth in another section of the division while Emma Cowan was fourth in novice flat and sixth in novice fences.

Though Sarah Lawrence College scored six points the Gryphons did place a rider as high as second. Junior Victoria Zawadski was second to Donahue in novice flat on a day when Sarah Lawrence did not have riders in half the divisions.

A freshman from Roseville, California, Holly Rodeo of the United States Military Academy (center) poses with Briarwood Farm's Katie Benson (on left) and USMA co-coach Sherry Cashman after placing first in her advanced walk-trot-canter class. Seeing as her class was the final class of the day Rodeo is the final Region 3 rider ever to win a class at Briarwood Farm.

Four alumni riders competed, with 2013 Centenary College graduate Natasha Klingenstein winning both alumni divisions. 2012 Lynchburg College graduate Jordan Rooney was second in alumni flat and third in alumni fences while 2009 University of New Hampshire graduate Alex Cantelmo had the opposite placings in those divisions. Riding in the alumni flat only 2013 SUNY - New Paltz graduate Jessica Abrams was fourth. Rooney continues to lead each of the two alumni divisions within Region 3 helped in part for not missing any of the first six shows.

There was also one unofficial class. Weeks before the final Region 3 Briarwood show the show managers (Drew Coach Karen Sykes and Sarah Lawrence Coach Lori Rakoczy, in conjunction with Katie Benson) decided to make the last show special. Sykes came up with the idea of a lead-line class made up of unlikely characters such as Drew University director of athletics Jason Fein, Fein's eight-year-old son, former Centenary rider and current Briarwood Employee Jen Elrod and IHSA Founder and Executive Director Bob Cacchione. Eight riders took part in this "Fun" class, which included a rider sitting backwards on a horse and Cacchione pretending to 'swim.' When it was over Judge Pat Byrne had to give out eight separate awards for first, grading each rider for something they did well.

Superfan keeps us guessing: We don't know his name but a gentleman who attends various Drew University sporting events and refers to himself as the "Drew Superfan" showed up as he usually does when the Rangers are at Briarwood. Superfan usually engages passersby in some interesting conversations and today he tried to stump a few people with questions such as "What building in New York City has the most stories?" After such obvious guesses as the Empire State Building, Freedom Tower and Chrysler Building were offered, Superfan asked "Is that your final answer?" "Are you sure?" This went on for some time before he asked if anyone knows where Bryant Park is. This writer said it is in back of the New York Public Library. Superfan said "Yes, and what is inside the New York Public Library?" Someone said "Books." And Superfan then asked what is inside the books? Silence. Then he said "Stories, and there are more Stories in the New York Public Library than in any building in New York City!" The time spent trying to extract as many guesses as possible and to extend the premise was about seven or eight minutes from "What building has the most stories" to "There are more stories in the Public Library than anywhere else." Here is another one of Superfan's questions but without the preamble: What starts with an "E," ends with an "E" and has a letter in between? The answer: An Envelope!

Centenary does not lose two straight: Thirteen days later Stevens Institute hosted the seventh and final Region 3 fall hunter seat show. Held at the Centenary College Equestrian Center with the acclaimed Thai Elephant food truck parked outside, Centenary scored a 36-23 win over both SUNY - New Paltz and the hosts to raise their record to 5 and 2. Elizabeth Scovotti (junior, Katonah, New York) won both of her intermediate classes while teammate Pyle won both of her open classes to create a question-off. Judge Lesley Woodworth asked both riders to name as many parts of the horse's leg below the withers and Scovotti knew more to earn high point rider honors on November 23rd. Though the Cyclones ended the fall 70 points ahead of Stevens and 76 in front of Marist. With only two spring shows remaining before Regionals it is safe to say that the Cyclones will likely send a full hunter seat team to Zones for the 25th consecutive season.

More Briarwood: Prior to the November 10th all-region show Katie Benson mentioned that at least 20 horses which had been used in both their lesson program and for IHSA shows would be moving to Black River Farm in nearby Ringoes, New Jersey. This writer thought he heard that perhaps an employee or two at Briarwood might be involved with giving lessons at Black River Farm on what will then be the former Briarwood horses. While there has been no talk whatsoever to this moment about IHSA shows taking place at Black River Farm the concept of it ever happening probably shouldn't be ruled out. Last April 6th Duncraven Stables in Titusville, New Jersey (not far from Black River Farm) was used for an IHSA show for the first time after many years in existance. Going back into the 1990's some wondered if Duncraven would ever host IHSA and eventually they did (the Bensons themselves put on some non-IHSA shows there). For now Briarwood Farm as most know it will live on in photographs, home videos, home movies, old prize lists, an infinite amount of ribbons awarded and in the memories of all who mounted up, trained or simply watched what went on there from time to time.

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Overcast skies with occasional breaks of sun, with temperatures reaching the mid '50's. Start time: 8:47AM. Finish: 3:27PM - Includes a 45 minute lunch break/Coaches & Captains meeting. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Pat Byrne. Stewards: Dowling/Centenary College; Rakoczy/Sarah Lawrence College and Knapp/Marist College.

Hunter Seat Team Totals: Marist College (High Point Team) 31; Centenary College (Reserve) 27; United States Military Academy 24; Stevens Institute of Technology 22; Drew University 16; William Paterson University 16; State University of New York at New Paltz 16; Vassar College 8 and Sarah Lawrence College 6.

High Point Rider - Morgan Knightes, Centenary College
Reserve High Point Rider - Samantha Bober, Centenary College