Goucher Beats Out Hollins for Spot at Nationals

Goucher Beats Out Hollins for Spot at Nationals

April 1, 2007 

BLACKSBURG, VA — One thing the Goucher riding program had never achieved in its long and illustrious history was qualifying as a team to compete at the IHSA National Riding Show. That is — until today!

At today's IHSA Zone IV Championships, Goucher needed to finish either first or second among the three regional champions in order to earn its spot at nationals. Virginia Intermont, Region III titlists, collected 52 points to distinguish itself as the zone's top intercollegiate riding program for 2006-07, but Goucher, which captured the Region I crown last weekend, nailed down the runner-up spot, beating out Region II's Hollins by nine points, 43-34.

Goucher will also have two riders competing in individual events at the IHSA National Riding Show in Springfield, Mass., in May as a result of their performances today. Julie Fink (Baltimore, MD/Garrison Forest School), Region I's only entrant in open equitation over fences, was awarded first place and will repesent Goucher and Zone IV at the national competition. Also headed to IHSA nationals from Goucher is Meredith Hurd (Sykesville, MD/Glenelg), the second-place finisher today in advanced walk-trot-canter.

During the team competition, Goucher took first place in two events: Fink achieved the high score in intermediate flat and Nina Sysko (Lewiston, ME/Lewiston) outscored the other two entrants in walk-trot. Goucher also produced the runners-up in four classes: Jonathan Cohen (Chicago, IL/Latin School of Chicago) in open flat, Brittany Martin (Ocean City, MD/Worcester Prep) in open fences, Sarah Pandolfini (New York, NY/Buxton) in novice flat and Sarah Ashby (Havre de Grace, MD/Havre de Grace) in advanced walk-trot-canter.