Gophers Earn Perfect Score at First 2013-14 IHSA Show

TOWSON, Md. — Only seven points separated the five teams which placed second through sixth at today's IHSA Zone IV Region I riding show hosted by Goucher, but there was a significant gap between the No. 1 team and the rest of the field.

With a Goucher rider winning a blue ribbon in every point rider class in the first IHSA riding show of the season, the Gophers finished with a perfect score of 49 points and already enjoy a 20-point lead over their closest pursuer.

So dominant was first-year head coach Jen Bunty's program that there was a three-way ride-off to determine the show's high point rider and the three riders involved were all from Goucher. Joey Fink (Baltimore, Md./The Park School), who took first place in open equitation over fences and open equitation on the flat, prevailed in the ride-off to earn high point rider honors.

Alison Radgowski (Northport, N.Y./Northport), who was awarded first place in intermediate fences and intermediate flat, and Anna Carmichael (Colorado Springs, Colo./William J. Palmer), who came away with blue ribbons in both phases in the novice division, were the other two riders that participated in the ride-off.

Laura Malone (Weston, Mass./Weston) also turned in a first-place performance at today's show in intermediate flat, while Kaduk Sherpa (East Aurora, N.Y./The Park School) and Fanny Eaton (New York, N.Y./Convent of the Sacred Heart) won blue ribbons in advanced walk-trot-canter equitation and beginning walk-trot-canter, respectively.

George Washington was today's reserve high point team with a score of 29 points. Maryland followed in third place with 25 points, American was fourth with 24, Mount St. Mary's fifth with 23 and George Mason sixth with 22.