Goucher Continues Winning Ways at UMD IHSA Show

OATLAND, Md. — Goucher made it 5-for-5 in regular season shows this season after a convincing 11-point victory in the Maryland IHSA Show at The Other Left Farm this afternoon.

The Gophers, led by high point rider Joey Fink (Baltimore, Md./The Park School) and reserve high point rider Laura Malone (Weston, Mass./Weston), earned 44 points, finishing comfortably ahead of second place George Washington. They expanded their lead in Zone IV, Region I up to 67 points with the win.

Fink earned 14 points with blue ribbons in both open equitation over fences and open equitation on the flat. Malone, meanwhile, took first in intermediate fences and second in intermediate flat. Clea Lerner (Los Angeles, Calif./Renaissance Arts Academy) completed a Goucher sweep of the jumping events with her blue ribbon in novice fences.

Anna Carmichael (Colorado Springs, Colo./William J. Palmer) was the final point rider to register a first place showing, as she topped the field in novice flat. She was followed in the standings by teammate Ashley Bent (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville Area).

The Gophers also received an additional first place finish from Kate Matthews (Concord, Mass./Concord-Carlisle) in advanced walk trot canter. Goucher had the top three finishers in that event, with second place Maring Eberlein (Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope) and third place Erika Scott (Stonington, Conn./The Williams School) each qualifying for the regional championships on March 15. Fink booked a trip to regionals as well through his open flat performance.

The Gophers now have 201 points in the overall region standings, with George Washington their nearest competitor at 134 points followed by Mount St. Mary's with 130.

There were supposed to be a pair of IHSA shows this weekend. The first, however, was postponed due to Saturday's snow storm. It will be made up next Sunday, with The Other Left Farm once again serving as the host. Goucher will then have one more regular season show on March 14 before heading to regionals the following morning.