Miami University of Ohio Head Coach Heather Pinnick squinted slightly when we took this photo of Red Hawk riders Kelsey Williamson (on left) and Maria Lee (on right). Lee and Williamson finished first and second, respectively in their section of novice fences on February 12th. This was the second of three times that Miami riders would earn the top two ribbons in a class on this day.

RED HAWKS WIN BY EIGHT

Coolville, OH - A Holiday Inn Express advertising campaign a few years back would show an executive battling wild animals or an alleged cowboy attempting to save someone in the desert and even a man on a tour of a nuclear reactor saving everyone from a meltdown. In each situation the commercial would end with someone asking how the hero saved the day and in each case the hero could only apologize for not knowing why other than "I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night!"

Had Miami University of Ohio been asked how they won the February 12th Ohio University show, the visiting Red Hawks could have in fact claimed they stayed in a Holiday Inn Express the night before. In actuality Miami simply won early and often, earning the first four blue ribbons of the day, eight of the first eleven and 14 of 26 overall. Red Hawks claimed the final five blue ribbons of the day while Maddie Smith was the only rider from any school with two firsts. A junior from Los Angeles, California, Smith won both of her open classes to claim her first high point rider ribbon to date.

Through February 12th Miami has put together a four show win streak, averaging 42 of a possible 49 points during that span. This is rather impressive when one considers how talented rivals Ohio University, Ohio State University and Otterbein University are. To average 42 points per show over four shows in any region is a major accomplishment, let alone one where an opponnent has their own facility or a prior IHSA National Championship.

Sarah Jadwin of Ohio State University (center, with teammates Colleen Moury on left and Kathleen Kozlowski on right) was the first non-Miami rider to win a class on February 12th, earning a blue ribbon in novice fences. Jadwin was one of three riders to earn 12 points on this day. The Buckeyes have scored more points with each passing show, having earned 18, 19, 25, 26 and 29 on February 12th (Ohio State would break 30 and even win on February 13th).

Joining Smith in the winner's circle were teammates Kitty Sarosy (sophomore, Pataskala, Ohio; in intermediate fences), Kelsey Kleinert (sophomore, Lake Forest, Illinois; in intermediate flat), Maddie MacLeod (freshman, Glencoe, Illinois; in novice fences), Maria Lee (sophomore, New Albany, Ohio; also in novice fences), Alyssa Peterson (freshman, Northville, Michigan; whose first-ever IHSA jumping class produced yet another novice fences blue ribbon for the Red Hawks), Allison Drost (freshman, Palatine, Illinois; who was competing in her first IHSA show and won her second class, novice flat), Eliza See (sophomore, Venetia, Pennsylvania; who won her first novice flat class after pointing out of walk-trot-canter), Jenna Samuels (sophomore, Cincinnati, Ohio; also in novice flat), Catherine Cahill (senior, Basking Ridge, New Jersey; in advanced walk-trot-canter), Lauren Lockhart (freshman, Shargin Falls, Ohio; her first in advanced walk-trot-canter was also her first IHSA blue ribbon), Emily Turville (senior, Columbus, Ohio; in walk-trot) and Tom Schoen (sophomore, Sylvania, Ohio), who had been "stuck in third place" last season in his own words. Schoen, who received the IHSA's most recent Jon Conyers Scholarship, earned his first-ever IHSA blue ribbon by besting five others in the walk-trot class which kicked off 19 straight flat classes. In addition Jamie Donovan (in open fences), Kelsey Williamson (in novice fences), Jackie Yeager (in open flat), Maggie Sacolick (in beginner walk-trot-canter), Lucy Gross (also in beginner walk-trot-canter), Annie Kuruc (advanced walk-trot-canter), Allison Gordon (also in advanced walk-trot-canter), Sarosy (in intermediate flat) and Peterson (in novice flat) were red ribbon winners for the Red Hawks, the latter two riders also taking part in a question-and-answer session with the judge to break what was a three-way tie for the Reserve High Point Rider ribbon.

If you had glanced at the scoreboard posted near the secretary's stand you would have thought that Miami defeated host Ohio University by a 39-30 score at the end of the day. However there were changes to the totals after the show which dropped Ohio University back to 24 points and elevated Otterbein University - which appeared to finish fourth with 25 points - to a total of 31 and the reserve champion ribbon (it is unclear if actual points changed or if the points were miscalculated during the competition - Editor). In any event the point change gave Otterbein their fifth-consecutive second place team ribbon. The Cardinals were especially strong after the schooling break for the flat divisions, as Heather Crather (junior, Warwick, Maryland; in intermediate flat), Julia Spatt (freshman, Denver, Colorado; in novice flat), Katie Kaiser (junior, Dayton, Ohio; also in novice flat), Annie Hankins (sophomore, Washington, District of Columbia; also in novice flat), Kenzie Smith (junior, Solon, Ohio; in advanced walk-trot-canter), Sarah James (freshman, Delaware, Ohio; in beginner walk-trot-canter) and Julia Spatt (freshman, Denver, Colorado; in novice flat) won classes outright. Spatt's win was unusual in that she grew up riding english but had done better until today in western shows. "I'm not a hunter rider usually," said Spatt after earning her first IHSA blue ribbon in a hunter seat class. It was the first IHSA blue ribbon of any kind for James. Jacqueline Farrell (in novice flat), Mae Kraus (also in novice flat), Kaitlyn Haussman (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Brittany Peters earned red ribbons for Otterbein, the latter of which earned the Cardinals' only top two placing in a jumping class by way of a second in novice fences.

From Warwick, Maryland, Heather Crather of Otterbein University (center) poses with several Cardinals teammates after placing first in intermediate flat. Otterbein finished the weekend having earned second-place finishes in all Region 2 hunter seat shows so far this season. However the Cardinals only trail Miami by 18 points with two shows remaining.

Ohio State University was third for the day both on the scoreboard and after the adjustments. The Buckeyes scored a season-high (at the time) 29 points. Ohio State has managed to increase their point total with each passing show, having started the season with 18 points on opening day, 19 the next day, 25 and 26 respectively at the 3rd and 4th shows and 29 on February 12th. Leading the way for Ohio State was Sarah Jadwin. A freshman from Gahanna, Ohio, Jadwin won her novice fences while placing second to See in novice flat. Jadwin was the only rider from a team other than Miami to technically qualify for the reserve ride-off. While Jadwin also earned the Buckeye's lone blue ribbon of the day, red ribbons were easier for Ohio State to come by. Like Jadwin Beth Volpe (in walk-trot), Michelle Prushing (in advanced walk-trot-canter) and Meghan Moser (in novice flat) also took home second place ribbons.

Ohio University scored 24 points for fourth place. The Bobcats faired better than the Buckeyes in the blue ribbon department, earning five for the day. Megan Chalk, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio could not believe she had won first place aboard "Trump" in the final section of novice fences but according to the announcer this was true. Lauren Huefner, a senior from Medina, Ohio won the first section of open flat. Anna Duble, a freshman from Fairport, New York and Emily Neely, a freshman from Newark, Ohio both won sections of advanced walk-trot-canter for the Bobcats. For Duble it was her third IHSA blue ribbon but for Neely it was the first in a regular season IHSA show. Neely had not in fact competed in an IHSA show that counted before today but had taken part in a Tournamentn of Champions series event. Cassie Metzger, a sophomore from Fairview Park, Ohio who goes by the nickname "C Money" was a winner in beginner walk-trot-canter. Though red is not one of their school colors (in contrast red figures prominently for Miami, Ohio State and Otterbein) Ohio University received nine red ribbons. In chronological order those ribbons went to Kari Besler (in intermediate fences), Danielle King (in novice fences), Molly Hill (same), Stephanie Framer (same), Alyssa Bower (walk-trot), Sara Dziegielewski (in open flat), Framer again (in intermediate flat), Carly Klose (in novice flat) and Katie Martin, whose second in advanced walk-trot-canter qualified the junior from Cleveland, Ohio for Regionals.

What do Danielle King (on far left), Chrissy Hunley (second on left) and Sam Moffie (on far right) have in common? Is it that they are each eating Pizza? No, Hunley doesn't appear to have a slice. Could it be that each helped to give Ohio University teammate Cassie Metzger the nickname "C Money?" You are absolutely correct! Metzger (second on right) is seen here after winning her beginner walk-trot-canter class on February 12th. The Bobcats were fourth for the day on February 12th but faired better a day later.

Without a rider above the novice level, Wilmington College was fifth for the day with nine points. Katy Dasch, a senior from Bloomfield, Michigan who had tied for high point rider at the second Ohio State University show during the fall, was fourth in novice fences to qualify for Regionals in the division. Erin Foreman was the only Wilmington rider to finish above fourth on the 12th, earning a third in beginner walk-trot-canter.

The only other school entered at today's show was Ohio University - Southern Campus. OU-S managed one point for the day, though two riders earned fifth place ribbons. Those riders are Molly Hutchinson and Jordan Roberts, both of whom are sophomores and beginner walk-trot-canter riders. Kelly Schneider and Courtney Bingham both placed sixth in sections of advanced walk-trot-canter, so likely one of the two scored Southern campus's point.

Though Denison University is also a member of Zone 6, Region 2 the Big Red did not enter today's event. There were no alumni classes held at today's show so the Region 2 alumni totals do not change.

Region 2 also has a policy of holding a ride-off only if the high point rider ribbon is at stake. Because Maddie Smith won that ribbon outright by way of being the only rider with two firsts the three riders with a first and a second (Peterson, Sarozy and Jadwin) were asked questions by Judge Scott Dehelian. Apparently Sarozy (who had already been high point rider at one of the Miami shows earlier this season) had the best answers as she was chosen as Reserve Champion.

Miami of Ohio swept three divisions on the 12th, though in only one case were their two sections of one of the divisions the Red Hawks swept. That division is walk-trot. Sophomore Tom Schoen (on left) and senior Emily Turville (on right) were Miami's walk-trot champions.

Six Portable Toilets (and they are emptied every day!): This writer had never been to Stonegate Farm in Coolville, Ohio prior to today's event. The place is especially nice in that overhead heating coils placed above the bleachers (which run nearly the length of one side of the indoor) tend to warm the entire building. The fences around the ring itself are fairly low, making it easy to watch the show from anywhere in the building. The concession stand/food truck was partially inside the building, serving mostly pizza and hero sandwiches. Outside the building (but close to the main enterence) were six portable toilets, which is the most this writer can recall seeing at an IHSA event below the National level. According to Michael Hiehle (the son of Ohio University Head Coach Karen Hiehle) there was an IEA event at Stonegate the previous weekend and that six portable toilets were absolutely necessary for that contest which ran past 6:30PM (today's IHSA show ended at 3:30PM by contrast). Unlike at some other riding facilities these toilets are emptied every day. This writer has nothing but praise for the way things ran at Stonegate, where among the schooling riders was Zone 6, Region 5 Cacchione leader Miranda Cain of West Virginia University. "I grew up riding here," said Cain, who along with Michael Hiehle and one other person had a microphone which allowed each to speak to the crowd from anywhere at a moment's notice.

Buckeyes' big day follows: Ohio State snapped the Red Hawk's win streak during Sunday's show. The Buckeyes again scored a new 2010-11 season high, earning 38 points to defeat Otterbein by six for high point team honors. Lauren Cechini, a junior from Flemington, New Jersey won her open fences while placing second in open flat. Ohio University was third with 30 points while Miami had their low total of the season by a mile, scoring only 16 points. The Red Hawks still lead Otterbein by a 214-196 margin overall. The race for third place is now very good, as Ohio State trails Ohio University by only a slim 158-155 margin headed into the final Region 2 hunter seat shows hosted by Otterbein on February 26th and 27th.

The Open Rider Race: Cechini entered the weekend seven points behind Miami sophomore Jamie Donovan in the race to represent Region 2 at 2011 IHSA Nationals in the Cacchione Cup Competition. By sunset on February 13th Cechini was leading Donovan 46-42 with Ohio University junior Sara Dziegielewski third with 39 (Sara's last name is pronounced "Jiggle-ew-ski" though the announcer on Saturday gave up and called her "Sara D."). Brittany Smith of Ohio University (with 28 points), Maddie Smith (with 26) and Erin Kratzer of Ohio State (also with 26) need considerable help to chase down the top three over the course of only two shows. Though it would not be Cechini's first time at IHSA Nationals (she was second in individual open flat in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 2009) it will the first time for any of these riders to compete for the Cacchione Cup at Nationals once one of them sews up the honor.

---Steve Maxwell

Show Incidentals: Sunny skies but windy, with temperatures in the low '40's. Entire show held indoors. Start Time: 9:49AM. Finish: 3:30PM - includes 54 minute schooling break. Coaches & Captains meeting held prior to start of show. Point Cards posted in this region? No, though a scoreboard was updated following the completion of each division. Alumni Classes held in this region? No. Judge: Scott Dehelian. Stewards: Gandhy/Otterbein University, Osborn/Ohio State University and Lanzer/Wilmington College.

Team Totals: Miami University of Ohio (High Point Team) 39; Otterbein University (Reserve) 31; the Ohio State University 29; Ohio University 24; Wilmington College 9 and Ohio University - Southern Campus 1.

High Point Rider - Maddie Smith, Miami University of Ohio
Reserve High Point Rider - Kitty Sarosy, Miami University of Ohio