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The Zone 2 Team Defends TitleThe Zone 2 Team Defends Title Winning the $15,000 Randolph College/USEF Prix de States Team ChampionshipHarrisburg, PA. - October 14, 2011 - The team from Zone 2 defended their title as national champions winning the $15,000 Randolph College/USEF Prix de States Team Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Friday evening. The Zone 5 team won the silver medal after they defeated the team from Zone 7 in a nail biting jump-off. Following a modified Nation's cup format, the teams jumped the same course twice with one drop score permitted from each round. The Zone 2 team finished on top in the first round scoring only four faults. Two of the riders, Meg O' Mara on Sinatra IV and Katie Dinan riding Belle Dame D had clear rounds. The other two team members, Charlotte Jacobs aboard Karonda V Schlosslifof CH and Reed Kessler on Ligist each had four faults. One of the four fault scores was dropped. The team from Zone 5 finished the first round within fighting distance scoring 12 faults. Three of the riders each had one rail down; Nora Laue on Peninsula Kheelan, Lillie Ross aboard Pako, and Kalvin Dobbs riding Ultimate VDL. Catherine Tyree on Memphis du Park had two rails and was the drop score. The Zone 2 team pulled away from the pack in the second round. Lead-off rider O' Mara went clear. Then Jacobs had only one rail down for four faults. Dinan also went clear giving anchor rider Kessler three rails in hand to win team gold. Kessler did not need the cushion as she also went clear giving the team a final score of four faults. The teams from Zone 5 and Zone 7 each finished with an overall score of 20 faults requiring a jump-off for the silver medal. Rules dictated that one rider be designated to represent the team. Wilton Porter, who was chosen for Zone 7 went first and had two rails down, which meant that Nora Laue could have one rail down to give her Zone 5 team the silver medal. Laue came through with a clear round clinching the silver and leaving the Zone 7 team with the bronze. The camaraderie was evident as the team members from Zone 2 were hugging each other and reveling in their accomplishment. "We are a close knit team," said Kessler. "We were all so excited about today. We all had so much fun. We made posters and banners and hung out together." Added Dinan, "We are so fortunate because all of our teammates are really strong." Ralph Caristo, the Zone 2 Chef d'Equipe, was ecstatic. "I am so proud of my girls," said Caristo. "This is the second year in a row. I have such a great bunch of talented riders, great horses and great trainers. They all knew what they had to do, and they did it. All I had to do was cheer for them." The scores from Friday's Phase II class and Thursday's Phase I carry over into Phase III of the Randolph College/USEF National Junior Jumper Individual Championship, with the top 60% qualifying for Saturday's competition. Junior weekend culminates on Sunday with the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Equitation Finals presented by Randolph College. Competition continues at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show through October 22 featuring Hunt Night, Western Night, Family Day with free pony rides and face painting, and the featured event, the $75,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix de Penn National. In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the PNHS offers a unique shopping environment with boutique vendors that offer everything from fine art to custom jewelry, clothing, accessories and horse show memorabilia. General admission for Saturday, October 16 to Friday, October 21, is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students, except for Wednesday, October 19. On Wednesday spectators can download a coupon for free admission at www.panational.org. General admission for Saturday, October 22, is $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. As always, children under 6 are admitted free in general admission seating. Convenient parking is also free. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting equine and youth programs. The show benefits the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. |