Lauren Ryalls (on left, with Coach Sheri West) was the second of seven Virginia Tech riders to win a class on November 17th. Ryalls' blue ribbon in intermediate fences helped the Hokies score 37 points and place third for the day.

VIRGINIA INTERMONT SCORES 49, MOVES TEN AHEAD OF ST. ANDREWS AND 13 AHEAD OF VIRGINIA TECH

Bristol, VA — Visitors to the Virginia Intermont College Riding Center on November 17th could be forgiven if they thought they were in a new indoor. Since the last time VI hosted an IHSA show the indoor went through a makeover, with insolation removed from the ceiling and the entire room painted white. The indoor seemed much brighter and even slightly larger than in previous seasons.

But if you know anything about Feng Shui you know that if it ain't broke then don't fix it! Since the makeover host Virginia Intermont had competed in three Region 3 IHSA shows, and at no time did the school from Bristol, Virginia end the day all by themselves atop the overall Region 3 Team Standings. Perhaps the modifications to the indoor had thrown the feng shui off somehow. After all, VI had gone into the third Region 3 show each of the past ten seasons in first place. In 2009-10 it took a superlative blue ribbon performance at the third show (which was hosted by Duke) to elevate VI into a tie with St. Andrews for first place overall headed into the final fall showdown at the VI north campus.

Insolation or no insolation, the show started at 9:54AM (scheduled to start at 10:00AM, the pre-show coaches & captains meeting was already finished and the horses had been schooled, so Audrey Hayden of St. Andrews was told to head in and start the open fences a few minutes early) and ended 35 classes later at 4:39PM. In the 19th class (the first of seven sections of novice flat) Amanda Shamer of Virginia Intermont finished second to Kate LoPresti of Averett University. From Los Angeles, California, LoPresti became the first Averett rider since the 1990's to win a class at an IHSA show, as the Cougars only re-started their IHSA program this season after a decade without one. LoPresti also did what no other rider at today's show could accomplish: She finished ahead of a Virginia Intermont point rider.

Riders who won classes at today's show received a Coca-Cola ornament bottle. Early in the day winners had a choice between Regular Coke and Diet Coke, with St. Andrews freshman Katie Hanson opting for the regular coke after winning her open flat class.

Shamer was thus the VI drop score, meaning that the hosts earned a perfect 49 (as opposed to an immaculate 49, where all eight riders earn seven points). That being said, none of the other 14 teams entered at today's show were able to equal the feat. St. Andrews came the closest, earning reserve high point team honors with 39 points. The Knights can take consolation in that VI is still within reach, only ten points ahead at the break. Virginia Tech, which wowed everyone with their win at the pre-season Tournament of Champions and high point team honors at their home show on October 18th, was third with 37. The Hokies sit only three points behind St. Andrews going into the winter break.

Nevertheless the hosts can boast of yet another double-digit lead at the midpoint. 11 VI riders won blue ribbons, with Ashley Miller earning a pair. The junior from Raritan, New Jersey won the open fences class which started the day and later won the first open flat class to qualify for the ride-off. VI teammates joining Miller in the winner's circle were Audrey Hanlon (junior; Huntington, New York, in open fences), Lauren Fay (sophomore; Shelburne, Vermont, in open flat), Gigi Good (junior; Wellington, Florida, in intermediate fences), Bailey Cone (senior; Landrum, South Carolina, in intermediate flat), Casey Gilligan (junior; Washington, District of Columbia, in novice fences), Abby Parke (sophomore; Salsbury, Maryland, also in novice fences), Will Brown (senior; Manassas, Virginia, who gave VI three wins in three consecutive sections of novice fences), Sarene Cullen (junior; Haymarket, Virginia, in advanced walk-trot-canter), Jamie Howard (junior; Richmond, Virginia, in beginner walk-trot-canter) and Katy Haupt (sophomore; Boonsboro, Maryland, in walk-trot). Ten other VI rides resulted in ribbons below the blue level, with Shamer, Hanlon (in open flat), Jordan Shelburne (open fences) and Rachel Lecture (advanced walk-trot-canter) all receiving red, second place ribbons.

In spite of earning eight fewer blue ribbons than VI, St. Andrews scored 39 points, their best showing since scoring 47 at home on opening day. The Knights came up with their first blue ribbon in the 14th class, when Katie Hanson won her open flat. A freshman from Toledo, Ohio, Hanson finished the day in a tie for second place in the Region 3 open rider standings. Rob Jacobs, a junior from Temple Hills, Maryland who won the individual novice over fences at 2009 Nationals, won his intermediate flat while Brittany Calderwood, a sophomore from Lanesborough, Massachusetts won her beginner walk-trot-canter. Blake Liljestrand, a freshman from Marietta, South Carolina had the distinction of winning the final class of the day. Liljestrand closed out the Knights' scoring with a first in the second of two sections of walk-trot. Jacobs (in intermediate fences), Caroline Taylor (same) and Alie McGraw (in novice fences) added red ribbons for the Knights.

"Well if I can't ride in the show and win my own coca-cola I will go to Wendy's and buy some myself!" We are not sure if Tar Heels Head Coach Sara Conversano (on right) was drinking coke but we are sure that her University of North Carolina team scored 34 points while Sarah Reidinger (on left) was a winner in novice flat.

Virginia Tech earned the second-most blue ribbons behind VI with seven. Ashley Perry, a senior (and Captain) from Chesapeake, Virginia won both her novice fences and novice flat to advance to the ride-off versus Miller. Tracy Maier (junior; Chesapeake, Virginia, in advanced walk-trot-canter), Amanda Bradbery (sophomore; Chester, Virginia, in novice flat), Kristin Wavell (junior; a Piedmont Community College transfer whose hometown we forgot to write down, also in novice flat), Lauren Ryalls (senior; Louisa, Virginia, in intermediate fences) and Zack Parks (junior; Charlottesville, Virginia, in open fences) also won blue ribbons for the Hokies. Red ribbons went to Christy Jones (in novice flat), Megan Ebling (in novice fences), Anna Norwood (same) and Parks (in open flat), the latter who in his first season of IHSA showing is now tied with Hanson for second in the Region 3 open rider standings. The Hokies' score of 37 tied their second-best effort so far in 2009-10 and was a ten point improvement over their last outing at Duke.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was fourth for the day with 34 points and coincidentally are fourth overall in the region. The Tar Heels earned blue ribbons via Sarah Reidinger (senior; Ashville, North Carolina, in novice flat) and Hope Newton (senior; Concord, North Carolina, in advanced walk-trot-canter). One of four schools in the University of North Carolina system entered at today's show, the Tar Heels earned eight red ribbons, the most of any school competing at today's event. Into the red were Reidinger (in novice fences), Makani Dollinger (same), Amy Hutcheson (intermediate flat), Kristy Sulick (novice flat), Hana Viswanathan (advanced walk-trot-canter), Lily Brock (beginner walk-trot-canter) and both of their walk-trot riders, Katie Beam (second to Liljestrand) and Lindsay Haslebacher (second to Haupt), a senior who was competing in her first IHSA show.

Five schools scored in the 20's, with Duke fairing the best at 28. Auriel August, a sophomore from West Palm Beach, Florida was first in the final section of intermediate fences while Amy Tsai, a senior from Yorba Linda, California won the final section of intermediate flat. Kim Schwartz earned the third and final blue ribbon of the day for the Blue Devils, as the freshman from Dallas, Texas won the first section of advanced walk-trot-canter. Senior Tracy Gold was second to Miller in the open fences class which started the day, and surprisingly this was the only time Duke earned a red ribbon over 35 classes.

August wins in November! Duke University sophomore Auriel August (on left, with Blue Devils Head Coach Ginny Rollins) won her section of intermediate fences on November 17th. Duke scored 28 points to finish fifth for the day.

Somewhat unusually the schools which finished the day first through sixth coincidentally go into the winter break first through sixth overall. North Carolina State finished only a point behind the Blue Devils at 27 points, with a pair of freshman novice flat riders earning blue ribbons. Kelsey Puliafico (from Cary, North Carolina) and Alex Vernon (from Mayodan, North Carolina) excelled in the one division in which host VI failed to win a blue ribbon. Prior to Puliafico and Vernon's firsts, four members of the Wolfpack won red ribbons. Loren Kirk (open flat), Allie Duffy (intermediate flat), Lindsay Ann Skully (novice flat) and Marion Price (same) came in second in their respective trips for the Wolfpack. Vernon's win in the final section of novice flat resulted in her third blue ribbon in the division over her first four IHSA shows.

The school that came in seventh had much to rejoice about. Averett University, at one time coached by current Mount Holyoke College (and Averett graduate) C.J. Law, had not fielded an IHSA team prior to the October 25th Duke show since the 1990's (when the school was still known as Averett College). After scoring eight points at Duke, the Cougars made considerable headway during their second appearance of the season. Filling all the divisions except open fences and walk-trot, Head Coach Ginger Henderson's Cougars scored an impressive 24 points. While Laura Borges (in novice fences), Bethany Bradshaw (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Stephanie Welter-Granja (in beginner walk-trot-canter) earned red ribbons to equal Averetts' best ribbon at the Duke show, LoPresti did them one better. As mentioned earlier her first in novice flat was the first blue ribbon for the Cougars since the entire team was in elementary school. Though Averett had not (re)entered IHSA competition until recently, the school itself had maintained a foot in the horse world. Valerie Harr, a senior who co-founded the team with Borges several years earlier, is double-majoring in Elementary Education and Equestrian Studies. Harr mentioned that Averett has fielded an IDA team for at least five seasons. Harr, Borges, Henderson and perhaps others took the team back into IHSA after making certain the program was ready. Averett can claim that despite missing the first two shows they are still ahead of three other Region 3 hunter seat programs in the team standings headed into the winter break.

Elon University scored 23 points and earned some impressive ribbons along the way. Freshman Jillian Kelly won her intermediate fences while a pair of novice riders earned blue ribbons in consecutive classes. Grace Cuddy, a sophomore from Princeton, New Jersey won section E of novice fences while Shelby Bentley, a senior from Elverson, Pennsylvania won section F a short time later. Already qualified on the flat, Bentley made it two novice rides at Regionals with her first. Elon goes into the break with 91 points (nearly a 23-points-per-show average) and seventh place overall.

The last time an Averett rider earned a blue ribbon at an IHSA show Clinton was President, downloading music was just a concept and the Cougars' school itself was only a College. Averett University's Katie Lopresti (on left) and Head Coach Ginger Henderson step outside the Virginia Intermont indoor for a picture after LoPresti's first in novice flat became Averett's first 'first' since the program returned to the IHSA on October 25th after a decade away from the organization.

Appalachian State competed with a full card at today' show. The Mountaineers were led by Ashley Shapiro, who was second in novice fences. Another highlight came when Brodie Lower placed fourth in intermediate flat, as her points made the senior from Charlottesville, Virginia the first Applachian State rider this season to qualify for Regionals. Lower was also third in intermediate fences while Elizabeth Gaebe earned a similar yellow ribbon in beginner walk-trot-canter. Appalachian State also nearly landed on their average, scoring 21 to boost their total to 80 points over four shows.

Virginia Intermont is one of the last of a dying breed of schools which routinely host their annual or twice-yearly shows on weekdays. At one time many IHSA programs held weekday shows, but as most would imagine this takes many students out of class during the day. Some schools simply opt out of weekday competitions all together, which is possibly why Davidson College, North Carolina A & T and East Carolina University were not entered at today's show. Though the Wake Forest team is made up of far more than four riders, the Demon Deacons had only a quartet of entries at today's event due to class conflicts. Still, Wake Forest could claim all the divisions above walk-trot-canter were filled. Raquel Scharyj (whose last name is pronounced 'shorry' - like 'sorry' but with an 'sh' sound) was second to Hanlon in open fences while teammate Kim Struglinski was second to Hanson in open flat. In spite of the small roster on a Tuesday the Demon Deacons finished with 16 points, better than their 15 points-per-show average so far in 2009-10.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte had roughly a dozen riders entered, all within the novice divisions and below. The 49'ers had three yellow ribbons before Samantha Palme earned a second in section F of novice flat. It was Palme's third IHSA show and her first time as high as second. Two classes later Ashley Ellis was also a red ribbon winner, second to Schwartz in advanced walk-trot-canter. Jordan Figler, a freshman from Mooresville, North Carolina won the 49'ers lone blue ribbon of the day with a first in the fifth and final section of advanced walk-trot-canter. First year Head Coach Natalie Stoner indicated that the 2009-10 Charlotte team is made up mostly of riders in their first season of IHSA competition. The 49'ers scored 14 points, raising their total to 55 for the season.

"If you keep this up you will have to ride against the intermediates!" We are not sure if North Carolina State Head Coach Thom Pollard (on right) said this, but if Alex Vernon of the Wolfpack (on left) wins two more blue ribbons in novice flat she will point out of the division. Vernon is seen here with her third novice flat blue ribbon over the course of her first four IHSA shows.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro had five riders entered and all but the walk-trot division filled. Katie Wood, a junior from Winston-Salem, North Carolina was third in the third section of open fences to earn the Spartans' best ribbon of the day. UNC-G finished with 12 points for the day but still holds eighth place overall with 83.

With four divisions filled Western Carolina University had a fairly good day, scoring ten point to raise their season-to-date total to 33. Leigh Ann Everett, a sophomore from New Bern, North Carolina qualified for Regionals with a second in advanced walk-trot-canter. Charlene Smith, a junior from Waynesville, North Carolina earned the Catamounts' best ribbon of the day with a first in beginner walk-trot-canter (which in some regions, including this one, is listed in the program as 'Beginning walk-trot-canter').

Rounding out the scoring was the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Like Averett, the Seahawks made their season debut at Duke and were showing for only the second time. However unlike Averett this was only the second-ever IHSA competition in Seahawks' program history. Wilmington doubled their Duke show point total, scoring six points. Though the Seahawks are still looking for their first blue ribbon, Emily Cosgrove can now claim to be their first red ribbon winner. A junior from Ashville, North Carolina, Cosgrove was second to Howard in the second of three sections of beginner walk-trot-canter to secure the Seahawk's best ribbon to date.

The Ride-off: According to St. Andrews Director of Riding Peggy McElveen, Region 3 has not held an actual ride-off in about five years. Recently it has become common around the IHSA to save the horses from an extra class by having the judge ask the riders who qualified for high point several questions instead. Judge Leslie Brown asked five questions of Miller and Perry, each of which were answered correctly. The stewards then asked Brown to ask five more questions in order to break the tie. However 'The Ashley's' as some were calling them were again perfect with their answers. Then the stewards came up with five questions of their own. Yet again, both riders came up with the correct answers (if the idea was to save time, an actual ride-off would probably have been quicker). At this point the stewards decided to make Region 3 history and award both riders a tie for high point. This marks the first time since the region was created in 1999 that no reserve high point rider ribbon was given out!

"When she told me her last name was 'Cullen' I thought she had connections with the cast of "New Moon!" Virginia Intermont College Head Coach Eddie Federwisch (on left) did not say this, but when speaking of advanced walk-trot-canter rider Sarene Cullen (on right) he did say "She checked her diagonals." From Haymarket, Virginia Cullen won her section of advanced walk-trot-canter to become the ninth of eleven VI riders to win a class for the home team on the 17th.

Wolfpack have busy weekend, but it was well worth it: The annual RMI Raleigh Benefit Horse Show took place November 11-15 at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina. The benifactors for the 2009 event were the U.S. Equine Rescue League and the North Carolina State University Hunter Seat Team. According to Wolfpack open rider Loren Kirk the event raised $12,000.00, a significant sum of which will help endow the NCSU Hunter Seat program. Members of the Wolfpack team were apparently busy at this event on the eve of the Tuesday Virginia Intermont show.

It's splitsville come showtime: This writer asked eight riders from two schools if they were wearing boots with zipperbacks. All but one said yes. When these same riders were asked if they ever had a zipper break or split on their boots five said yes, with the one rider without zipperbacks adding her name to the list explaining why she was wearing boots that required the old-fashioned boot pulls. Perhaps Campus Equestrian should take a larger poll and see if the results are similar nationwide!

Everyone wants to go to school here: Over the course of 32 classes 13 different states could claim a blue ribbon winner. While Virginia (with eight) and North Carolina (with six) could claim the most winners at today's show, 18 of the 35 winners (with one unknown) were from states which cannot claim a Region 3 school on their soil. After Virginia and North Carolina came Maryland with three, New Jersey, California, South Carolina and Florida with two each and New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont, Massachusetts, Texas and the District of Columbia with one each. It should be noted that Miller's two wins gives New Jersey only one of their two riders while Perry adds only once to the Virginia total.

Sometimes things happen in twos. Elon University won only two classes at VI, but they were consecutive. Grace Cuddy (without helmet) won her novice fences while teammate Shelby Bentley (with a helmet) won the section of novice fences that followed.

What's Next?: It appears that at least three Region 3 hunter seat shows will take place between January 1st and Regionals, with Virginia Intermont scheduled to host the final regular season show (we are still tracking down the actual dates - Editor). Two schools, Virginia Intermont and Virginia Tech, will compete once more in 2009. Both schools will travel to Long Valley, New Jersey to take part in the Holiday Tournament of Champions hosted by Centenary College on Saturday, December 5th. Virginia Tech won the Pre-Season Tournament in Roanoke, Virginia on September 27th while Virginia Intermont has historically been very strong in tournament events. While the field on September 27th was made up mostly of Southern schools VI and the Hokies will find themselves as part of a small contingent from the south at the Centenary Equestrian Center, with perhaps Lynchburg College being the only other Zone 4 school entered (however at least two Zone 5 schools will compete - Editor).

As far as the Region 3 team race goes, VI is the team to beat until someone can beat them. The fact that VI will host the final spring show will make it difficult for anyone who can somehow re-take the lead ahead of that date to hold off the hosts in the finale. After all, VI proved that their new place has Feng Shui suited for their needs. Perhaps the rest of the region needs to consult a Feng Shui specialist and see how to protect the likes of the Alphin-Stuart Arena and the St. Andrews Equestrian Center from the Beast of Bristol!

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Partly cloudy skies, with temperatures in the upper 50's. Entire show held indoors. Start Time: 9:54AM. Finish: 4:39PM - Includes five minute break to remove jumps. Coaches and Captains Meeting held prior to start of show. Point Cards posted in this Region?: Yes. Alumni Classes held in this region? No. Judge: Leslie Brown, Lexington, VA. Stewards: Pollard/North Carolina State University, Morgan/University of North Carolina at Greensboro/Elon College and Rollins/Duke University.

Team Totals: Virginia Intermont College (High Point Team) 49; St. Andrews Presbyterian College (Reserve) 39; Virginia Tech 37; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 34; Duke University 28; North Carolina State University 27; Averett College 24; Elon University 23; Appalachian State University 21; Wake Forest (TIE-Reserve) 36; Virginia Tech (TIE-Reserve) 36; St. Andrews Presbyterian College 32; University of North University 16; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 14; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 12; Western Carolina University 10 and University of North Carolina at Wilmington 6.

High Point Rider - TIE between Ashley Miller, Virginia Intermont College and Ashley Perry, Virginia Tech