Clemson University did not field a western team during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, so it was somewhat surprising when the Tigers were reserve high point team at the fall 2011 Region 5 season opener on October 8th (photo courtesy Sarah Pell/Clemson University equestrian team).

THE POWER OF THE PRESS RELEASE

(Sarah Pell, who is the Public Relations Chairperson for the newly-reborn Clemson University western team, submitted a Press Release related to the Tiger's performance at the October 8th and 9th Western shows hosted by North Georgia College and State University. Around the same time Judson College Coach Jennifer Hoggle submitted a similar Press Release related to the Eagle's performance at the very same events. We have decided to combine the two Press Releases, each with some edits, as one story on the Region 2 opening day weekend. Defending National Champion Berry was high point team both days by comfortable margins in both contests, though Clemson's ability to place second in the season opener in their first IHSA western show since the 2008-09 season was one of the most interesting stories that weekend nationwide. The Tigers scored 19 points at the first of two shows and 11 in the second, surpassing their total of 26 earned during the entire 2008-09 season - Editor.)

Dahlonega, GA – The Clemson University Western Equestrian Team is back this year, riding at the Clemson University Equestrian Center under the direction of Coach Rebecca Shirley. Our first show on October 8th at North Georgia had several teams competing, including Berry College, Lander University, Judson College, Georgia Tech and host North Georgia College and State University. Over the past six weeks our team had been working hard to get ready for our first show and all of the hard work paid off. Three of our riders placed first in their classes: Leona Parr and Elizabeth Stubbs won first place in Novice and Emma Schaffel placed first in the intermediate II division. Clemson walked away with reserve high point team at the first show and came in fourth at the second show. The Western team’s return to the IHSA kicked off to a great start with strong performances by everyone.

--Sarah Pell

From left to right are Rylee Parnell, Rebecca O'Neal, Jana Davenport, Jordyn Blackwell and Megan Cook of the Judson College equestrian team. O'Neal earned the Eagles best ribbon on October 8th, winning her beginner western class during the first of two shows. Cook earned Judson's top ribbon of the second show, a second in intermediate western (photo courtesy Michael Brooks/Judson College Public Relations Department).

Dahlonega, GA – The Judson College Equestrian western team competed at their first set of Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows for the season on October eighth. The Eagles finished third overall during both competitions and qualified two riders for the end-of-season western Regional show.

During the first show Jordyn Blackwell of Grand Bay placed fifth in the reining and second in open horsemanship classes. In the novice horsemanship classes Christina Duke of Vestavia Hills placed fourth and Andrea Luckie of Alexander City placed sixth. In the intermediate horsemanship classes Megan Cook of Murray, Kentucky placed third, Shelby Crews of Greenville placed sixth and Corey Finlay of Oxford placed fifth. In the beginner horsemanship class Lindy Cowart of Brandon, Mississippi placed second, Jana Davenport of Jemison placed third and Rebecca O’Neal of Chatom placed first.

In the second show Blackwell placed fourth in open horsemanship, Duke and Luckie each placed fourth in separate sections of novice horsemanship class, Cook second, Finlay third and Crews sixth in intermediate horsemanship while Cowart placed sixth and Davenport fourth in the beginner horsemanship class.

"We are very proud of these young ladies and would like to point out that four of the nine team members were competing in their first western IHSA show," said Coach Jennifer Hoggle. "This is an amazing result and we look forward to great things from our team this season!”

--Jennifer J. Hoggle

(Editor's Note: Because Judson College is located in Marion, Alabama it is safe to say that all hometowns mentioned for Judson riders which were not followed by a specific state are located in the state of Alabama. The Judson Press Release did not indicate which riders are bound for Regionals nor did it mention that the Eagles scored 17 points at the opener and 12 in show number two for a combined 29 points and fourth place overall in Region 2 through the first two western shows.)