FINDLAY WINS ZONE 6 ZONES BY A POINT OVER KENTUCKY

(The University of Findlay won the final two team classes of the day to pull out a 47-46 win over the University of Kentucky at Zone 6 Zones on the campus of Morehead State University April 7th. University of Kentucky intermediate rider Louise Bowden, who won the team intermediate flat division, has submitted her account of the events at Zone 6 Zones - Editor)

For the first time since 1990 the University of Kentucky hunter seat team had won their region. Now they were just one point away from winning their entire Zone.

From the start of the show, the team competition between the University of Kentucky, University of Findlay and Ohio University remained close until the flat phase. Findlay’s Laura Baldine won the first class of the day, team open fences. Kentucky placed second and Ohio University third. However Kentucky came back to win both the intermediate and novice fences classes (wins by Molly Peyton in the former and Meghan Blackburn in the latter), with Findlay placing second and Ohio placing third again.

Down by two points to Kentucky going into the flat phase, Findlay’s Katie Johnston placed first in team open flat allowing Findlay to take the lead by a point. Kentuckys' win in the intermediate flat class allowed them to pull ahead, and with another win in team novice flat by Kathleen Reed, Kentucky remained ahead 36-33. However, with first place ribbons in the final two team classes Findlay was able to win Zone 6 Zones by one point. Good news for Wildcats fans is that the top two teams at Zone 6 Zones both advance to IHSA Nationals to compete against schools from around the country. The University of Kentucky will again face Findlay and 15 other schools for the right to be 2007 IHSA National Champions.

“There were some really good riders here today,” said Erica Perdan, a sophomore and co-captain of the Kentucky team who showed up to help out and cheer on the Wildcats. “We knew it was going to be tough beating Findlay, they have a strong team, but we’re really proud that we came so close.”

Though the University of Kentucky had sent riders to IHSA Nationals to compete individually, the Wildcats had not advanced a full team to Nationals since 1990. This year, Callie Schott will be the only hunter seat rider from the University of Kentucky to compete individually, riding in the Cacchione Cup division. In addition, Findlay and Ohio University will both send four individual riders to compete at Nationals.

“It’s interesting to see all of the teams in your Zone compete at the same show,” said Perdan. “During the season you get used to what the teams are like in your own region. It’s gets interesting when there is new competition.”

--Louise Bowden

Class-by-Class Results from 2007 Zone 6 Zones In Morehead, Kentucky, with the top two riders in each individual class advancing to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th in Springfield, Massachusetts:

Individual Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Mandy Patterson, Otterbein College. 2. Hannah John-Conry, Ohio University. 3. Callie Schott, University of Kentucky. 4. Nicole Di Corte, Lake Erie College. 5. Laura Baldine, University of Findlay.

Team Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Laura Baldine, University of Findlay. 2. Callie Schott, University of Kentucky. 3. Hannah John-Conry, Ohio University.

Individual Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Travis Womer, University of Findlay. 2. Whitney Yoder, Ohio University. 3. Matt Piccolo, University of Findlay. 4. Jennifer Cancian, Kenyon College. 5. Larissa Kern, University of Kentucky. 6. Sarah Krings, Xavier University of Ohio.

Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Molly Peyton, University of Kentucky. 2. Kathryn Peterson, University of Findlay. 3. Katherine Trimble, Ohio University.

Individual Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Courtney Glass, Oakland University. 2. Natassia Hovey, University of Findlay. 3. Kari Peters, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Emily Smith, Ohio State University. 5. Tovah Abrams-Slep, Lake Erie College. 6. Katie Manning, Morehead State University.

Team Novice Equitation Over Fences: 1. Meghan Blackburn, University of Kentucky. 2. Becky Baumel, University of Findlay. 3. Jessa Moser, Ohio University.

Individual Open Equitation on the Flat: 1. Katie Johnston, University of Findlay. 2. Kati Cibon, Ohio University. 3. Katie Maston, University of Kentucky. 4. Christine Commons, Ohio State University. 5. Mandy Patterson, Otterbein College. 6. Amy Saunders, Miami University of Ohio.

Team Open Equitation on the Flat: 1. Katie Johnston, University of Findlay. 2. Kati Cibon, Ohio University. 3. Diana Glenney, University of Kentucky.

Individual Intermediate Equitation on the Flat: 1. Kelly Long, Ohio State University. 2. Lindsay Barton, Miami University of Ohio. 3. Laura Warner, Morehead State University. 4. Larissa Kern, University of Kentucky. 5. Tovah Abrams-Slep, Lake Erie College. 6. Andrea Gunn, University of Michigan.

Team Intermediate Equitation on the Flat: 1. Louise Bowden, University of Kentucky. 2. Jenna Moser, Ohio University. 3. Ashley Gallo, University of Findlay.

Individual Novice Equitation on the Flat: 1. Kelly Dunn, Grand Valley State University. 2. Jenna Moser, Ohio University. 3. Emily Smith, Ohio State University. 4. Kelly Wheeler, Midway College. 5. Ashley Gallo, University of Findlay. 6. Meghan Blackburn, University of Kentucky.

Team Novice Equitation on the Flat: 1. Kathleen Reed, University of Kentucky. 2. Zoe Steele-Rand, University of Findlay. 3. Maura Conway, Ohio University.

Individual Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation on the Flat: 1. Zoe Steele-Rand, University of Findlay. 2. Katie Finkes, Morehead State University. 3. Maura Conway, Ohio University. 4. Merrill Howland, Albion College. 5. Heather Nauman, Morehead State University. 6. Meghan Ruck, Ohio State University.

Team Walk-Trot-Canter Equitation on the Flat: 1. Raffi Kechejian, University of Findlay. 2. Kelsey Gaston, Ohio University. 3. Rebecka Wichard, University of Kentucky.

Individual Walk-Trot Equitation on the Flat: 1. Lauren Best, Midway College. 2. Alex Cox, Miami University of Ohio. 3. Rosemary Flemming, Ohio University. 4. Mary Herrmann, University of Michigan. 5. Trista Reno, Oakland University.

Team Walk-Trot Equitation on the Flat: 1. Aubrey Kuczerepa, University of Findlay. 2. Aleisha Mathis, University of Kentucky. 3. Julliann Rogers, Ohio University.

Final Hunter Seat Team Totals, with the top two teams advancing to IHSA Nationals May 3rd through 6th In Springfield, Massachusetts: University of Findlay 47, University of Kentucky 46 and Ohio University 35.