Goucher Riders Take Possession of Region IV Title

Postel Emerges as Cacchione Cup Qualifier from Region IV

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher scored only 24 points and finished in a three-way tie for fifth place at today's IHSA riding show, but because director Patte Zumbrun and her riders came into the show with a nearly insurmountable lead in the Zone IV-Region I standings, that was plenty.

Adding in the 24 points earned today, Goucher ended the 2011-12 season as the high point college with 268 points and captured its fifth IHSA Zone IV-Region I title in the past 10 years. Christopher Newport finished as runner-up with 225 points and Mary Washington was third with 213 points.

As the Region I champion, Goucher's riding program has earned the right to compete against the top programs from the other three regions — Bridgewater in Region II, St. Andrews in Region III and Delaware in Region IV — at the IHSA Zone IV Championships, which will take place April 7 right here on Goucher's campus.

Zone IV will send two teams on to the IHSA National Horse Show in Raleigh, N.C., in May.

Goucher riders also placed 1-2 in the high point rider standings for 2011-12. Karli Postel (Newbury Park, Calif./Oaks Christian School), who was awarded first place in open equitation on the flat today, finished with 75 points, eight more than Amory Brandt (Saratoga, Calif./Lynbrook), who took second place in open equitation over fences.

As the high point rider, Postel will represent Region I in the Cacchione Cup competition at nationals.

The only other second-place performance today by a Goucher rider was turned in by Taylor Marcus (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) in the flat phase of the novice division.

William & Mary was the high point college at today's show with a team score of 31 points.