Pictured: The Ohio State buckeyes rolled to 33 of a possible 35 points in the stock seat team competition at Zones on April 8th.

Miami of Ohio, Ohio State have big day at Lake Erie

Concord, OH - The Miami of Ohio red hawks, making their first Zones appearance as a member of Region 2, prevailed in both a three-way and six-way hunter seat team competition. The Ohio State University buckeyes also prevailed, winning four of five stock seat team classes outright. The University of Findlay, with teams in both competitions, survived on both fronts.

Both team competitions were six-way affairs, with the reserve teams in each region sending a team but not eligible to advance as a unit to IHSA Nationals in Murfreesboro, Tennessee May 2-4. However the Midway College hunter seat team got stronger as the day progressed, eventually finishing only one point behind Miami of Ohio (who beat them by close to 100 points in the region 2 regular season team standings). Miami of Ohio won the six-way hunter seat battle by 36-35 over Midway, while Otterbein suprised region rival Findlay with 30 to the oiler's 26. Host Lake Erie also bested region rival Ohio University 27-21, though the score was deceiving. Defending national champions Ohio University dug themselves a hole early, when Dana Blancett, riding with a broken wrist, fell during her team novice fences ride. Blancett was not hurt, and later rode in the team novice flat. If you back out all the placings by the reserve teams in attendance, Miami of Ohio scored 50 (the lowest score is not dropped at a Zones or Nationals show), Findlay 38 and Ohio 36, with the bobcats closing the gap as the final three oiler riders all placed third in the three-way race.

For the western competition, things were one-sided from the start and stayed that way. Starting with Lisa Martin's first in team beginner western for the buckeyes, and Vicki Walter's reserve ribbon for the oilers, Ohio State and Findlay would take the top two placings in all five western team classes. Jake Bowman of Findlay won the team intermediate western, while Ashley Kremer (advanced western), Barbara Stancel (open reining) and Kim Wingfield (open western horsemanship) were the other team class winners for Ohio State. Wingfield was one of four buckeyes to advance on an individual level, prevailing in individual open western. Four oilers also advanced, while Rusty Rea of Louisville (who many felt was robbed of a trip to nationals in the open western class Wingfield won) advanced in individual open reining. The final slot for undergrads riding stock seat in zone 6 went to Emily Krach of Ohio University - Southern Campus, who placed second to Emily Novak of Ohio State in the individual intermediate western.

Findlay hunter seat coach Cindy Morehead may not have been raving about the oiler's performance late in the hunter seat team competition, but she must be happy that six of her riders moved along to nationals in the individual classes. Coagi Maten, who is known nationally for winning the exact same team class at Nationals two seasons in a row, pointed out of novice flat and will ride at Nationals in that division. Maten was first while Holly Justman of Western Michigan was second, on one of the more difficult horses, perhaps a pinto. Some in attendence felt Sarah Zichi of Miami of Ohio and Deveau Zubrod of Ohio had better rides in this class, however judge Randy Neumann thought otherwise, perferring Justman on a tough draw. Other Findlay riders to place first or second were Katie Franklin (first in novice fences), Erika Bender (first in intermediate flat), Amanda Blue (second in same), Leah Dissek (second to Lake Erie's Ann Gerin in walk-trot-canter) and Sara Ballinger (second to Michigan's Nicky Meyer in individual open flat). Of the sixteen openings at nationals from eight separate hunter seat divisions that were there for the taking, Region 3 riders managed to claim eleven of them, with Cacchione representative Meyer of Michigan advancing in both open divisions.

The alumni was a mixed bag, with perhaps the best alumni hunter seat rider in the zone not able to get to Murfreesboro. Allison Matthews, who rode at Oberlin as an undergraduate, returned to Nationals for a second season in a row in the alumni fences. Matthews edged out Marianne England of Midway, who will have three rides as she will compete in both western alumni divisions. Miami of Ohio graduate Jon Dreyer, who had the finest regular season of any alumni rider in the zone, had a stop while trying to complete his fences course. Folowing alumni stock seat, during which England and Laura Harbour of Kentucky swapped places in a two-way competition where both were assured of a trip to nationals if they stayed on, Dreyer was edged out on the flat by Allison Shaw of Hiram College (in first) and Jen Roth of Otterbein College (in second). Five were in the class, with Matthews and England in fourth and fifth respectively.

All in all, Miami of Ohio looked like the hunter seat team to beat, with open rider Megan Palmer advancing in both individual open divisions. Palmer will now be one of a select few with four rides at Nationals, riding once as an individual, twice in the team competition, and once as the region 2 Cacchione Cup representative. The freshman from Lake Bluff, Illinois was one of several new arrivals in Oxford during the off-season that elevated the team back to greatness. Ohio State will again be a force at Nationals in stock seat, with coaches Ollie and Debbie Griffith trying to make it eight team championships since 1991. Historians may also remember that two seasons ago, Findlay placed second at Zones to both of these teams, and won national championships in both disiplines.

--Steve Maxwell.

Show Incidentals: Foggy and cold, temperature in the low 40's. Entire show held indoors. Hunter Seat Start time: 8:25AM. Hunter Seat Finish: 6:50PM - Entire Stock Seat Show held in the middle of the day. Stock Seat Start Time: 11:56AM. Finish: 4:05PM. Point cards posted at this show? Yes. Alumni classes held at this show? Yes. Hunter Seat Judge: Randy Neumann, Earlysville, VA. Stock Seat Judge: Betsy Tuckey. Hunter Seat Stewards: Elaine Schott, University of Kentucky; Karen Hiehle, Ohio University and Cris Eadline, Otterbein College. Stock Seat Stewards: Ollie Griffith, Ohio State University; Janice Rosier, Ohio University - Southern Campus and Steve Brown, University of Findlay.

Class results, in the order in which they were held, with the top two in each Individual and Alumni class advancing to IHSA Nationals in Murfreesboro, Tennessee May 2-4:

Individual open equitation over fences: 1. Nicky Meyer, University of Michigan. 2. Sara Ballinger, University of Findlay. 3. Ashley Meyers, University of Kentucky. 4. Carolynn Beck, University of Akron. 5. Megan Palmer, Miami University of Ohio.

Team open equitation over fences: 1. Sara Ballinger, University of Findlay. 2. Brooke Markowitz, Midway College. 3. Sarah Jackson, Lake Erie College. 4. Megan Palmer, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Jessica West, Ohio University. 6. Andrea Arlinghaus, Otterbein College.

Individual intermediate equitation over fences: 1. Samantha Snyder, Michigan State University. 2. Robyn Walton, University of Kentucky. 3. Karin Hanson, Otterbein College. 4. Margaret Bell, Oberlin College. 5. Erin Hjersted, University of Kentucky. 6. Jessica West, Ohio University.

Team intermediate equitation over fences: 1. Becca Robinson, Otterbein College. 2. Katie Lange, Lake Erie College. 3. Taunia Hendrickson, Midway College. 4. Anne Steptoe, Ohio University. 5. Sarah Zichi, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Allie McBreen, University of Findlay.

Individual novice equitation over fences: 1. Katie Franklin, University of Findlay. 2. Becca Robinson, Otterbein College. 3. Anne Steptoe, Ohio University. 4. Lani Blackford, Ohio University. 5. Sarah Zichi, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Megan Johnson, Midway College.

Team novice equitation over fences: 1. Sasha Hill, Otterbein College. 2. Laura Keefe, Midway College. 3. Kelly Long, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Mara Keith-Hunter, University of Findlay. 5. Ashley Sterrett, Lake Erie College.

Alumni equitation over fences: 1. Allison Matthews, Oberlin College. 2. Marianne England, Midway College. 3. Jon Dreyer, Miami University of Ohio.

Alumni reining: 1. Marianne England, Midway College. 2. Laura Harbour, University of Kentucky.

Alumni western horsemanship: 1. Laura Harbour, University of Kentucky. 2. Marianne England, Midway College.

Individual beginner western horsemanship: 1. Sara Umberger, University of Findlay. 2. Corey Hartman, University of Findlay. 3. Christina Chapman, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 4. Kim Thesen, Morehead State University. Lauren Brensinger, Salem International University. 6. Stacie Neal, Ohio State University.

Team beginner western horsemanship: 1. Lisa Martin, Ohio State University. 2. Vicki Walters, University of Findlay. 3. Amy Sheperd, Midway College. 4. Sara Sulkey, Ohio University. 5. Sandy Henry, Michigan State University. 6. Amanda Stapp, Ohio University - Southern Campus.

Individual intermediate western horsemanship: 1. Emily Novak, Ohio State University. 2. Emily Krach, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 3. Dee Ann Whitehead, University of Findlay. 4. Kathryn Murphy, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 5. Kirsten Cooper, University of Findlay. 6. Melissa Pramik, Ohio State University.

Team intermediate western horsemanship: 1. Jake Bowman, University of Findlay. 2. Ashley Hiller, Ohio State University. 3. Kristen Bames, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 4. Andrea Stepnaitis, Midway College. 5. Erin Duffey, Michigan State University. 6. Tierney Everhart, Ohio University.

Individual advanced western horsemanship: 1. Maria Paxton, Ohio State University. 2. Rebecca Johnson, Ohio State University. 3. Brandy Mulholland, University of Findlay. 4. Kate Hill, University of Findlay. 5. Katie Budd, Midway College. 6. Nikki Elek, Ohio University - Southern Campus.

Team advanced western horsemanship: 1. Ashley Kremer, Ohio State University. 2. Natoshia Bronson, University of Findlay. 3. Colleen Haigh, Midway College. 4. Emily Krach, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 5. Molly Sutton, Ohio University. 6. Courtney Horst, Michigan State University.

Individual open western horsemanship: 1. Kim Wingfield, Ohio State University. 2. Amanda Bergman, University of Findlay. 3. Maggie Grandominico, University of Findlay. 4. Megan Doak, Ohio University. 5. Rusty Rea, University of Louisville. 6. Meredith Rosier, Ohio University - Southern Campus.

Team open western horsemanship: 1. Kim Wingfield, Ohio State University. 2. Natalie Litwiller, University of Findlay. 3. Meredith Rosier, Ohio University - Southern Campus. 4. Kristan Peters, Michigan State University. 5. Blythe Gilliland, Midway College.

Individual open reining: 1. Natalie Litwiller, University of Findlay. 2. Rusty Rea, University of Louisville. 3. Kim Wingfield, Ohio State University. 4. Ryan Cottingham, University of Findlay. 5. Ryan Corbin, University of Louisville.

Team open reining: 1. Barbara Stancel, Ohio State University. 2. Natalie Litwiller, University of Findlay. 3. Kristan Peters, Michigan State University. 4. Katie Budd, Midway College. 5. Meredith Rosier, Ohio University - Southern Campus.

Alumni equitation on the flat: 1. Allison Shaw, Hiram College. 2. Jen Roth, Otterbein College. 3. Jon Dreyer, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Allison Matthews, Oberlin College. 5. Marianne England, Midway College.

Individual open equitation on the flat: 1. Megan Palmer, Miami University of Ohio. 2. Nicky Meyer, University of Michigan. 3. Ashley Meyers, University of Kentucky. 4. Sara Ballinger, University of Findlay. 5. Maggie Mulherin, Ohio State University. 6. Carolynn Beck, University of Akron.

Individual intermediate equitation on the flat: 1. Erika Bender, University of Findlay. 2. Amanda Blue, University of Findlay. 3. Jessica West, Ohio University. 4. Anne Steptoe, Ohio University. 5. Ingrid Bjornson, University of Kentucky. 6. Erin Hjertstedt, University of Kentucky.

Individual novice equitation on the flat: 1. Coagi Maten, University of Findlay. 2. Holly Justman, Western Michigan University. 3. Sarah Zichi, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Deveau Zubrod, Ohio University. 5. Torey Phelps, University of Kentucky. 6. Jill Marinis, Ohio University.

Team novice equitation on the flat: 1. Taylor Helmkamp, Miami University of Ohio. 2. Mara Keith-Hunter, University of Findlay. 3. Ann Gerin, Lake Erie College. 4. Sasha Hill, Otterbein College. 5. Dana Blancett, Ohio University. 6. Keri Fisher, Midway College.

Individual walk-trot-canter equitation: 1. Ann Gerin, Lake Erie College. 2. Leah Dissek, University of Findlay. 3. Jennifer Switzer, Michigan State University. 4. Cheryl Weinkam, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Erin Kirby, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Heather Timms, Lake Erie College.

Team walk-trot-canter equitation: 1. Michelle Johnson, Midway College. 2. Brooke Taylor, Miami University of Ohio. 3. Erin Batchelor, Otterbein College. 4. Sarah Brandle, University of Findlay. 5. Heather Tidball, Lake Erie College. 6. Amanda Dziedziak, Ohio University.

Individual walk-trot equitation: 1. Jessica Gabbard, Morehead State University. 2. Rachel Vanderberg, Ohio University. 3. Mandy Seymour, Ohio State University. 4. Lindsey Godby, University of Kentucky.

Team walk-trot equitation: 1. Stefanie Fink, Miami University of Ohio. 2. Sara Sulkey, Ohio University. 3. Angie Meinhardt, University of Findlay. 4. Kitty Hayden, Lake Erie College. 5. Rachel Cain, Midway College.

Team intermediate equitation on the flat: 1. Mandy Alexander, Midway College. 2. Katie Lange, Lake Erie College. 3. Jill Marinis, Ohio University. 4. Sarah Zichi, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Coagi Maten, University of Findlay. 6. Becca Robinson, Otterbein College.

Team open equitation on the flat: 1. Jen Williams, Otterbein College. 2. Megan Palmer, Miami University of Ohio. 3. Brooke Markowitz, Midway College. 4. Jessica West, Ohio University. 5. Sarah West, Lake Erie College. 6. Sara Ballinger, University of Findlay.

Hunter Seat Team Totals - Official Three-way Competition: 1. Miami University of Ohio 50. 2. University of Findlay 38. 3. Ohio University. (Top Two Teams advance to Nationals)

Hunter Seat Team Totals - Six-way Exhibition: 1. Miami of Ohio 36. 2. Midway College 35. 3. Otterbein College 30. 4. Lake Erie College 27. 5. University of Findlay 26. 6. Ohio University 21.

Western Team Totals - Official Three-way Competition: 1. Ohio State University 33. 2. University of Findlay 27. 3. Midway College 20. (Top Two Teams advance to Nationals)

Western Team Totals - Six-way Exhibition: 1. Ohio State University 33. 2. University of Findlay 27. 3. Midway College 16. 4. Ohio University - Southern Campus 14. 5. Michigan State University 12. 6. Ohio University 6.