After late surge, Penn State victorious again

Bellefonte, PA - The Penn State nittany lion equestrians have yet to lose in four shows this season. One tie for high point team. Three outright victories, the latest a come-from-behind win at their own barn, Eastwood Farms, where Penn State had won exactly two weeks earlier. Both walk-trot riders, Joel Lechene and Mary Lawyer, were victorious while advanced walk-trot-canter rider Shilpa Sood also won a blue ribbon. They joined Emily Anglin (novice flat), Alyssa Srock (novice fences) and Allison Handler (open flat and fences) as class winners. Several other nittany lions were second place winners: Lauren Higgins (advanced walk-trot-canter), Kara Spengler (novice flat) and Tye Gantz (intermediate fences, pictured on right, with Handler and "Franz"). Penn State (the State College campus, a.k.a. - the Big One) finished with 32 points, nine more than reserve Pittsburgh, while increasing the lead over their nearest rival, Wilson College, to 42 points for the season.

They could have won by even more: Though the nittany lions won by a fair margin, the open rider who inevitably is not pointed does the best. Two weeks ago Handler was pointed, producing eight points. However Lindsey Phoebus won both classes. Today Phoebus was pointed, perhaps because she entered the day seven points ahead of Handler in the region 3 open rider standings. This time Phoebus had refusals over the jumps, while Handler was briliant, the only rider on any team with two firsts. In either case Penn State has the first and second place open riders within region 3 through four shows, which may be the halfway mark as only four more hunter seat shows are currently scheduled before regionals.

Had the Pittsburgh panthers not been held to single digits on opening day they could have been above fourth place at this point. Helping to bring their season total to 69 points were Lauren Holmes (second in open fences) and Courtney Burford (second in intermediate flat and third in intermediate fences). Burford, a sophomore from Langhorne, PA was reserve high point rider for the day. The panthers also claimed a first place ribbon at the eleventh hour, when Margaret Mahoney won her advanced walk-trot-canter class, the final class of the day.

Other riders to win blue ribbons were Holly Hagedorn of West Virginia (in intermediate fences), Lisa Havilland of Wilson College (in intermediate flat) and her teammate, Kaitlin Klotz (in novice flat). Wilson picked up 20 points for the day, and increased their season total to 90. The other Penn State team (from the Fayette campus) also had a winner, as Rebekah Patterson won the beginner walk-trot-canter class early in the day.

Announcer gets some rest: If you did not pay attention to the alumni fences, you would not understand why the announcer announced "In first place, rider number 553 Maureen Schlegel of Pittsburgh. Next up is novice fences." One might recall that three riders were entered. However Anna Kamperin of Penn State-Fayette went off course late in her trip, while Stephanie Luff of Pittsburgh jumped the wrong second fence. The flat was interesting as well, as Penn State graduate Julianne Guilliard, who only rides on the alumni flat, withdrew. Schlegel won again, while Kamperin was second and Luff third.

'Ewe don't want to miss it: 2003 will be the year of the sheep according to some in china. Three zone 3, region 3 shows are currently scheduled for the new year. Wilson will host February 23rd, Indiana of Pennsylvania will host March 16th and West Virginia will do the honor March 23rd. Regionals will likely be Sunday, April 6th, though the location is still being worked out.

Show Incidentals: High Temperature in the low 70's. Sunny Skies, Breezy and mild. Start time: 9:18AM. Finish: 1:39PM - includes 48 minute lunch break and coaches & captains meeting. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni Classes held in this Region? Yes. Judge: Mark Frohm, Pittsford, NY. Stewards: Trumble/Allegheny College, Leighton/Wilson College and Bloom/University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University at Fayette.

Team Totals: Penn State University at State College (High Point Team) 32; University of Pittsburgh (Reserve) 23; Wilson College 20; West Virginia University 18; Dickinson College 15; Edinboro College 13; Penn State University at Fayette 9; Slippery Rock University 6; Seton Hill College 5; Westminster College 5; California University of Pennsylvania 4; Juniata College 3; Allegheny College 2; Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2 and Duquesne University 0.

High Point Rider - Allison Handler, Penn State University
Reserve High Point Rider - Courtney Burford, University of Pittsburgh