Equestrians Clinch Regional Championship, Qualify Three for Zone Finals

Saturday, March 4

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College of Charleston

College of Charleston Show

Equestrians Clinch Regional Championship, Qualify Three for Zone Finals

3/6/2017 6:16:00 PM | Equestrian

Photo Credit: Stephanie Hustad

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston equestrian team hosted a pair of shows on Saturday and Sunday, securing the program's fourth consecutive Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 5 Region 3 Championship by way of a win at the College of Charleston Show to close out the regular season.

Hannah Showell set the tone for the Cougars, winning the Section A Open Flat. In intermediate competition, Shannon Rice and Gabrielle Bernier followed suit with wins in Intermediate Flat (Sec. B) and Intermediate Fences. Not to be outdone, sophomore Mia Vawter won Novice Flat (Sec. D).

Freshman Elif Caynak rode to win Walk-Trot, and freshman Samantha Bledsoe rounded things out by winning Advanced Walk, Trot, Canter (Sec.C).

"We had great day winning five out of the eight team classes," head coach Bob Story said. "We really have no major issues to address in our preparation. At this point, it's all about the science of riding and being mentally prepared. Mistake-free riding and split second decisions rule the ring at this point."

The following day at the IHSA Regionals, the Cougars qualified Showell in the Open Flat, Annie Kuniansky in the Intermediate Flat, and Vawter in the Novice Fences for April's IHSA Zone 5 Finals. Christina Hayden, Madison King and Sammie Barton all competed as well.

"This is an extremely young team going to Zone Finals," Story said. "I expect Hannah (Showell) to step up in a leadership role since she is the only one of the group to compete at Nationals. She was one of the riders on the team that finished 5^th in the nation in 2015, and that experience will be invaluable to this group."

The College now heads in to the postseason for the IHSA Zone 5 Finals at Kimberden Farms in Ocala, Fla. on April 1.

College of Charleston Show Team Results
1. CofC - 39
2. South Carolina - 33
3. Furman - 29
4. Converse - 25
5. Clemson - 24
6. Georgia Southern -16
7. Coastal Carolina -16
8. USC Aiken - 8
9. Wesleyan - 6
10. Wofford - 2
11. Lander - 1

Final Regional Results
1. CofC - 289
2. Converse - 211
3. South Carolina - 216
4. Georgia Southern - 196
5. Clemson - 181
6. Furman - 172
7. Coastal Carolina - 168
8. USC-Aiken - 101
9. Wofford - 96
10. Wesleyan - 62
11. Lander - 42

IHSA Zone Finals Participants (April 1^st at Ocala, Fla.)
Samantha Bledsoe (Walk, Trot, Canter)
Elif Caynak (Walk-Trot)
Molly Coyle (Novice Fences)
Avery Johnson (Open Flat)
Annie Kuniansky (Intermediate Flat)
Sophie Meserve (Intermediate Flat)
Shannon Rice (Intermediate Fences)
Hannah Showell (Open Fences)
Mia Vawter (Novice Flat)