Goucher Sending Five to Zone IV Championships

Goucher Sending Five to Zone IV Championships

Brandt Moves On as Region's Top Performer in Open Flat

March 29, 2009

ASHLAND, Va. – As a result of their performances today at the IHSA Zone IV Region I Championships, three riders from Goucher qualified to compete at the Zone IV Championships on April 5 in Fredericksburg, Va.

Amory Brandt (Saratoga, Calif./Lynbrook) advances to the zonal competition as the Region I champion in open equitation on the flat since she was awarded first place in that division at today's show. The other two move on following second-place performances today: Emily Shelley (Reisterstown, Md.) in intermediate equitation on the flat and Valerie Wiseman (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) in advanced walk-trot-canter equitation.

In order to advance to the Zone IV Championships, a rider needed to place first, second or third at today's competition hosted by the University of Richmond. Two additional riders from director Patte Zumbrun's program had spots at zones already secured before today because there were three or fewer regional qualifiers: Cady Klimas (Miami, Fl./Palmer Trinity) in open equitation over fences and Shauntae Robinson (Laurel, Md./Reservoir) in walk-trot.

There were also three riders from Goucher who competed today without qualifying for zones: Sarah Ashby (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) placed fourth in novice flat, Claire McMahon (Kings Point, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy Academy) was fifth in intermediate fences and Alexandra Dupont (Conshohocken, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) was fifth in advanced walk-trot-canter.

The zone qualifiers from Goucher and other riding programs in Region I will compete against riders from the other two regions at the Zone IV Championships. Those riders who place first or second there will earn the right to compete at the IHSA National Horse Show in Murfreesboro, Tenn., later in April.