Goucher Riders to Host IHSA Preseason Classic

First of Three Events in Annual Tournament of Champions

TOWSON, Md. — Like it has four times before, Goucher's riding program will launch its 2010-11 season Sunday at the IHSA Tournament of Champions Preseason Classic.

There is a difference this time, however. Goucher will also be serving as host of the event, which is expected to draw individual riders and riding programs from as many as 18 institutions, mostly from the mid-Atlantic region and New England.

Opening ceremonies for the Preseason Classic are set for 8:45 a.m. at Goucher's Equestrian Center.

The Tournament of Champions is a non-sanctioned exhibition series in the team tournament format of the IHSA Collegiate Cup competition. Each attending team brings one rider in each of the eight IHSA class divisions, all riding for team points against the other teams' best eight riders. The series generally draws a wide variety of top riding programs from all across the country. 

Since this is a non-sanctioned IHSA compeition, riders don't earn IHSA points, so it is a way to get riders top-level experience while holding them back from pointing out to the next level. There is a team champion for each of the three events in the Tournament of Champions series, but, more importantly, the points accumulate for the series every year.

Goucher's team of eight riders finished in 13th place at the Tournament of Champions 2009 Preseason Classic in Roanoke, Va.

There is also an individual medal class at each tournament, with top riders from attending teams, as well as top individual riders from other teams across the country. Medal is held in a format of flat first, then top half of riders caled back for fences, and top entries return for testing.

Karli Postel (Newbury Park, Calif./Oaks Christian School), one of the riders who represented Goucher at the 2009 event, distinguished herself in the medal class, which drew a total of 24 competitors, placing ninth overall.