IHSA Hunter Seat Show at St. Andrews Feb. 8th, 2014

by Kirsten Farley, Social Media Intern

The first IHSA Hunt Seat show of 2014. All of the hunt seat team was at the barn by 6 AM, still pitch black out and only a mere 42 degrees. All of us went into action bringing in horses, putting tack out, checking water, and sweeping the aisles until they were spotless. Then we all went to work getting our assigned horse cleaned up for schooling and having them out at the ring for their rider to prepare them for the day to come.

10:00 rolls around and everyone, horses and team members, make their way to the far end of the ring. The weather forecast called for rain that day so we cut the ring down so the horses could be under the covered arena out of the “rain.” However, because we were so well prepared, of course it did not rain at all the entire day. As a whole the entire day ran rather smoothly, only the first two classes showed that some of the horses were still a little fresh with the hustle and bustle of the show and the chill factor, but they all settled as they worked. The judge kept the show moving along quickly, which we all thoroughly enjoyed since the show was done by 3:45 PM.

The team as a whole won High Point Champion, with junior Cami Glaff as High Point Rider and sophomore Caitlyn Woychick earning Reserve High Point Rider for the day. Everyone walked into the ring and rode their best and it showed. SAU now has 11 riders qualified for Regionals: Cami Glaff, Tara Algieri, Kirsten Farley, Regina Barasch, Rachaell Dockery, Kelsey Kocher, Keli Van den Heuvel, Nikki Napoleone, Danielle Eads, Madison Edwards and Julie Griffin.

Keli Van den Heuvel, Cami Glaff, Alexandra Fullerton, Caitlyn Woychick, Jessica Story, Michelle Eld, Nikki Napoleone, Grace Wadford, Betina Gore, Danielle Eads, Amy Wrozek, Mary Thomson, Gabby Schmidt, Tara Algieri, and Shiloh Kozlowski all earned a first place in their class(es).

Kirsten Farley, Caitlyn Woychick, Samantha Taylor and Reba Merritt all earned a second place. Regi Barasch, Kelsey Kocher, Abi Skillman, Rachaell Dockery, Courtney Anderson, and Madison Edwards all earned third place. Kelsey Kocher, Sloan Stuntz, Janelle Petruska, Samantha Garriques and Kathryn Owens were fourth. Regi Barasch, Abi Skillman, Julie Griffin, Brianna Harrison, Danaye Mokma all earned and fifth with Alexandra Fullerton and Keli VDH receiving sixth in their flat classes.

For some this show represented their first IHSA competition ever. For others it meant qualifying for Regionals and pointing out of their division. Others it was receiving their first IHSA career blue ribbon showing that all of their hard work is paying off. No matter what it was, everyone came out a winner for some reason or another.

The greatest part about this show, however, was that everyone was there for one another throughout the day. The team was there to help when someone needed it the entire day helping the show run without a hitch and rather smoothly as well.