Molly Banfield of Mary Washington University (on left) and teammate Emily Dunn both earned a first and a second at Haverhill Equestrian on September 28th. In lieu of a ride-off for high point the judge asked questions and Banfield gave a better answer regarding home remedies for a specific horse-related ailment.

MARY WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH TIE AT 37 AS A NEW REGION IS BORN

Glen Allen, VA - During the 2012-13 school year the largest region within the IHSA in terms of the number of schools was Zone 4, Region 1. 17 Colleges and Universities stretching from Norfolk to Baltimore gathered for eight hunter seat shows throughout the season, with Johns Hopkins University the latest to join or re-join after a lengthy absense. Though Johns Hopkins had a small team there were so many that just about everyone had to leave a few riders home every week. There had been discussion about spliting the region or re-aligning Zone 4 but there had always been some roadblock that kept Region 1 geography intact since Sweet Briar College moved from Region 1 to Region 2 prior to the 2006-07 season. Finally in early 2013 it became official: Several schools south of the Washington, DC area would be split off to form a new region. This new region would also contain at least one school from Zone 4, Region 2 (Longwood University) and Virginia Commonwealth University from Zone 4, Region 3. When VCU joined the IHSA in mid 2011 the Rams were placed in Zone 4, Region 3 as this region had the most horseflesh and the room to absorb them. However with every other school in Region 3 based in Eastern North Carolina this meant VCU would be travelling a lot as the only Virginia-based program. During their first two IHSA seasons VCU did not host a show, meaning that prior to the fall of 2013 the Rams had yet to show IHSA in their home state.

By June the official list of schools in this new region were made official. The University of Mary Washington, which had waged some very exciting races with Goucher College for a Region 1 region title over the past ten years would be the northernmost school in the new region. Also joining the Eagles from Region 1 would be Randolph - Macon College and the University of Richmond from the Richmond area and both the College of William & Mary and Christopher Newport University from the Norfolk area. The name 'IHSA Zone 4, Region 4' was in use during the 2012-13 season, but in order to accomodate the new region (and because numbers were down slightly in Zone 3) the group of schools stretching from Salisbury, Maryland to (most of) Philadelphia were removed from Zone 4 and re-named Zone 3, Region 5. This made complete geographic sense as most of the schools in what is now Zone 3, Region 5 had been in Zone 3, Region 2 up until 2010 (the rest of Zone 3 is to the north). The seven schools culled from Regions 1, 2 and 3 of Zone 4 would take the Zone 4, Region 4 name beginning in the fall of 2013. The geography of the new Region 4 would be as good as any in the nation, as no schools are even four hours apart.

With the creation of a new region several schools now had the opportunity to host shows at new locations for an IHSA event. Randolph - Macon College and the University of Richmond now train at Haverhill Equestrian in Glen Allen, Virginia, and it came to pass that this facility would be the site of the first show.

Here is an IHSA trivia question: Who was the first Virginia Commonwealth University rider to win an IHSA class in the commonwealth of Virginia? It was Aly Howse! From left to right are Rams coach Sulu Rose Reed, Howse and coach Tracey Harmon after Howse finished her jumping course aboard "Silvio" (who is not pictured). Howse kept Banfield out of first place in the open fences to earn the first of three blue ribbons for the Rams on opening day. VCU tied for high point team honors in their first-ever non-North Carolina based IHSA show.

When show day finally arrived on September 28th 81 entries from seven schools traveled to the first IHSA show ever at Haverhill. The atmosphere was decidedly relaxed though once in the ring riders were all business. Though the show started 20 minutes past the goal of getting the first rider in the ring at 10:00PM there was no harm, no foul. After 14 classes the final place in the second section of walk-trot meant the show itself lasted three hours and seventeen minutes. This might not have been a great variation for the Longwood riders (as Region 2 has been known to finish shows in under four hours) but for everyone else it meant an early day and then some.

And when the points cards were added up there was a tie for high point team. Virginia Commonwealth, which had never finished higher than reserve high point team in their first two IHSA seasons, managed to equal Mary Washington at 37 points each. The Eagles earned the most blue ribbons however, while also producing the high point and reserve high point riders for the day.

Molly Banfield (senior, Wake, Virginia), who competed in the Cacchione Cup competition at 2013 IHSA Nationals, won the open flat class which started the day. The open fences immediately followed and Banfield was second to set the bar for possible ride-off scenarios. Banfield was the only Mary Washington rider to win over the first six classes held. Kimberly Counts (sophomore, Lynchburg, Virginia) won the first of two novice fences classes to end the drought and teammate Emily Dunn (sophomore, Manassas, Virginia) won the second section to give the Eagles a sweep in the division. Daniel Odum (sophomore, from nearby Ashland, Virginia) won the first section of advanced walk-trot-canter while Michelle Lee (sophomore, McLean, Virginia) won the first of two walk-trot classes to give the Eagles a total of five firsts (and a superlative showing by the class of '16). Laura Adriaanse (also a sophomore) was second in advanced walk-trot-canter while Dunn was a red ribbon winner in novice flat to equal Banfield's total of 12 points.

Marika Beale (on right, with co-coach Jess Straus) earned the first of two blue ribbons for Randolph Macon College. Beale won the only section of intermediate fences as the Yellow Jackets scored 28 points at their home show.

Virginia Commonwealth was led by Tynna Pfieffer (senior, Manassas, Virginia), who won her novice flat while placing third in novice fences. Earlier Aly Howse (junior, Charlottesville, Virginia) won the first blue ribbon of the day for the Rams, winning the lone section of open fences. Rachel Snead (sophomore, Ashland, Virginia) won the second section of beginner walk-trot-canter to close out the Ram's blue ribbon collection. Peter Adame, a senior who was making his IHSA debut, was second twice in the intermediate divisions.

Host Randolph Macon finished the day only nine points behind the leaders. Like VCU this is only the third season of IHSA for the Yellow Jackets and coming off fifth place out of 17 teams in Region 1 last season the RMC program has accomplished much in a short time. Marika Beale (sophomore, Hampton, Virginia) won the intermediate fences while Kristin Kunz (sophomore, Raleigh, North Carolina) won the walk-trot class which completed the schedule. Open rider Rachel Wade was second to Banfield on the flat in what was the freshman's IHSA debut.

Christopher Newport University was fourth for the day with 25 points. The Captains were led by Dylan Kramer (sophomore, Fishersville, Virginia) who won his novice flat while placing fourth in intermediate fences. CNU freshman Kelly Norden started her IHSA career with a bang as she was second in both of her novice classes.

The College of William & Mary scored 24. Madeleine Lewis (sophomore, Waterford, Connecticut) won what turned out to be the Tribe's only blue ribbon of the day in intermediate flat. However Hannah Carter (in novice fences), Kate Kielty (in beginner walk-trot-canter) and Emily O'Gorman (in walk-trot) each won red ribbons.

Hannah Carter (second from right) was the only individual in this College of William & Mary photo to have competed when the picture was taken. Carter's red ribbon is from her novice fences round. From left to right are Kate Kielty, Jessica Benson, Carter and Erika Euker of W & M, or CWM if you prefer. Kielty would also earn a second while riding in beginner walk-trot-canter.

Though they were not the host school today, the University of Richmond also trains at Haverhill (Footnote: Last season Jess Straus coached Randolph Macon while Natalie Shinnamon coached Richmond. Since both teams practice at the same facility the coaches will serve as co-coaches for each of the two schools in 2013-14). The Spiders scored 22 points with Emily Larrabee (from Charlottesville, Virginia) doing what no other freshman was able to do at today's show - Win a Class! Larrabee won her beginner walk-trot-canter while Lauren Martin (sophomore, Fort Washington, Maryland) won the second section of advanced walk-trot-canter. Martin qualified for Regionals with the win, perhaps making her the first (or at least one of the first) to qualify for the post-season in the new Region 4. Two other freshmen came up big late in the day for Richmond. Julia Campbell was second to Snead in beginner walk-trot-canter while Emily Onufer was second to Odum in advanced walk-trot-canter.

The only team with more than two empty spaces on their point card was Longwood College. The Lancers did not have any riders in the three over fences divisions but otherwise had at least one rider in all the flat divisions. For most of the day senior Rebecca Spicer had Longwood's best ribbon of the day with a third in novice flat. However their final rider of the day, Jackie Muir, was second to Lee in the first section of walk-trot to earn a red ribbon. Lancers coach KC Meadows indicated that Longwood will have some over fences riders at the Virginia Commonwealth show the following week.

There were no alumni classes at today's show and the plan is not to offer alumni in Region 4 this season. However there might be alumni in Region 4 in future seasons, pending how the transition of the schools into one new region works out this season.

Dylan Kramer of Christopher Newport University poses with "Vegas" after the two combined to win the second section of novice flat. Vegas was one of four horses to be under saddle for two blue ribbon winners at today's show. Though his horse description made him out to be "Cranky" Vegas seems the perfect gentleman here.

If you drew Perkins, then ride soft and quiet, but if you drew Reese, then ride hard away from the gate!: The first Region 4 program included a detailed horse list, with descriptions for riders, coaches and anyone else who wanted to know. Though there was only limited information on the two horses which Longwood brought there was much to be said for each of the RMC/Richmond horses which call Haverhill their home. Each description included the horse's color, hight in hands and if they were a Mare, Gelding or Stallion (It turned out that every single horse in play at today's show was a gelding). There were also comments about what a rider must do to get the best ride out of each horse. We have re-printed the complete descriptions here along with the last names of riders who won blue ribbons on that particular horse (where applicable)...

"Bacardi" TB, Black, G, 16.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Big Stride! Stay soft, lift/half halt as needed. Be nice, will get upset if ridden hard. Simple changes (Banfield).

"Brady White" QHx, White, G, 15.2. Crop Optional, No Spurs. Comfortable, easy draw.

"Dundie" TB, Bay, G, 15.1. Crop Optional, No Spurs. Bouncy Trot. Likes a soft seat. Can get luggy - half halt. Does flyings when he feels like it, otherwise simple.

"Edge" - TB, Grey, G, 16. No Crop, No Spurs. Lucky you! Nice EASY draw. Has the change (ride straight and turn). (Counts, Larrabee)

"Fritz" - TB, Chesnut, G, 16.1. No Crop, No Spurs. Don't override with too much leg. Light seat. Simples. Likes to take big distance.

"Jester" - QHx Bay, G, 14.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Easy draw. Simple change. Don't haul on mouth for change (Snead).

"Journey" - Draftx, Grey, G, 16.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Old Eq horse. Has changes (wait until the corner). Stay light, if you sit/drive he'll do the add.

"Kip" - Appendix, Chestnut, G, 16.2. No Crop, No Spurs. Very round over fences. Half halt hard if he gets quick, flying or simples.

"Lucky" - Paintaloosa, Black/Grey, G, 14.2. Crop Optional, SPURS. Good draw. Keep straight and leg to fence. Skip ups/simples (Lee).

"Percy" - Paint, Black, G, 14.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Can be quick, give and take, don't grab/hold. Likes a soft ride, does his changes.

"Perkins" - TB, Bay, G, 16. No Crop, No Spurs. Easy draw, stay SOFT and quiet. Can do the step, auto changes (Dunn).

"Poet" - QH, Chesnut, G, 15.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Straight forward draw. Keep straight, does the change.

"Reese" - QH, Buckskin, G, 14. Crop optional, No Spurs. Ride HARD away from gate. Carry crop and short rein. Inside rein and hard outside leg for canter.

"Tucker" - TB, Grey, G, 17.1. No Crop, No Spurs. Typically builds (leg at the beginning, woah at the end) of the course, Lead change - do NOT yank/kick (Lewis).

"Vegas" - QH, Bay, G, 15.2. No Crop, No Spurs. Cranky quarter horse. Comfortable, short strided, half halt at canter (Kramer, Martin).

"Wilson" - TB, Bay, G, 15.3. No Crop, No Spurs. Easy Draw. Weight limit 150.

"Xander" - QH, Chesnut, G, 15.3. Crop optional, No Spurs. Great flat draw. SHORT STRIDE - does the add but requires leg to get the add. Simple changes (Odum, Kunz).

"Zippy" - POA, Chesnut, G, 14.2 Crop optional, No Spurs. Perfect Pony! Can do flyings when planets align, otherwise skip up/simples.

"Dublin" - G. Crop Optional, No Spurs (Beale, Pfieffer).

"Silvio" - G. Crop Optional, SPURS (Howse).

What's Next?: Just as today's show was the first IHSA event ever at Haverhill the second Region 4 show of the season will also feature a facility unfamiliar to most. Virginia Commonwealth will host an IHSA show for the first time, at Stillmeadows Farm in Mechanicsville which coach Sulu Rose Reed co-owns with her husband Derek. The other half of the VCU coaching tandem, Tracey Harmon, is also an instructor there. The third show will be back at Haverhill on the 26th, with the University of Richmond the official host school.

--Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching the low '70's. Start time: 10:20AM. Finish: 1:37PM. Coaches and Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point cards posted in this region? Yes. Alumni classes held in this region? Yes. Judge: Diana Capellanti. Stewards: Seay/University of Mary Washington, Greenwood/College of William & Mary and Meadows/Longwood University.

Team Totals: University of Mary Washington (TIE-High Point Team) 37; Virginia Commonwealth University (TIE-High Point Team) 37; Randolph Macon College 28; Christopher Newport University 25; College of William & Mary 24; University of Richmond 22 and Longwood University 15.

High Point Rider - Molly Banfield, University of Mary Washington
Reserve High Point Rider - Emily Dunn, University of Mary Washington