Gophers Open Up Commanding 50-Point Advantage

PARKTON, Md. — Goucher extended its streak of first-place finishes in IHSA Zone IV Region I riding shows to 19, including all five that have been conducted so far in 2015-16, by putting up a score of 36 points at today's show at Amazing Grace Stable.

That gave the head coach Jen Bunty's riders a two-point victory over George Washington and a 198-148 lead in the regional standings after five shows. Georgetown is in third place with 141 points.

The last time Goucher did not post the top score at a Zone IV-I meet during the regular season was at a show hosted by Mary Washington on Feb. 16, 2013.

Goucher's Ashley Bent (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville Area) took over first place in the region's 2015-16 high point rider standings today. She earned 14 points with first-place performances in both open equitation over fences and open equitation on the flat, boosting her total for the season to 46 points.

Bent also qualified to compete in open fences at the Region I finals in May.

One point behind Bent in the high point rider standings is teammate Cary Hundley (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge), who was awarded first place today in open flat.

Two riders from Goucher placed first in separate flat classes in the novice division: Clea Lerner (Los Angeles, Calif./Renaissance Arts Academy) and Alessandra D' Amour (Pennington, N.J./The Pennington School). Ari Schlossberg (Barrington, Ill./Barrington Community) won a blue ribbon in walk-trot equitation.

Wren Wakeman (Addison, Maine/Washington Academy) placed second in walk-trot-canter.