CONTRIBUTED

Five St. Andrews Presbyterian College riders qualified in six classes for the upcoming Zone competition of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association at Friday's hunter seat regional finals hosted by St. Andrews. The top qualifiers at the Zones will go on to the national finals.

It was the highest number of St. Andrews qualifiers in the college's history.

In addition, Sarah Rhymer of St. Andrews was named the region's coach of the year and rider Rob Jacobs received the Sportsmanship Award as voted by the region's coaches.

"I was shocked," said Jacobs of winning the award. "I had no idea and am very appreciative. It's a great feeling."

It was quite a day for Jacobs. The sophomore politics major from Temple Hills, Md., had won enough points during the season's horse competitions to qualify for the first time for a regional final. By the time the day had finished, he not only had received the Sportsmanship Award, he had also qualified in two classes for the Zones at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Va., on April 4-5.

Jacobs captured a blue ribbon in Novice Fences and placed third in Novice Flat.

The competition was judged by Scot Evans, a renowned and celebrated equestrian and event judge. The competition was also attended by Bob Cacchione, founder and president of the IHSA.

"I am very surprised," said Rhymer about her selection as the region's coach of the year. "I wasn't expecting it all."

She attributed the award to her riders saying, "The sportsmanship among the riders has improved so much. They seem to ride better and support each other in training and competing."

St. Andrews rider Audrey Hayden, a sophomore English major from Dumfries, Va., won first place in Intermediate Flat while teammate Jaci Ayers, a senior equine business management major from Raleigh, took second. A senior psychology major from Colorado Springs, Colo., Kelsi Peterson finished second in Open Flat. Jessica Gesel, a senior biology major from Locust, took top honors in Walk Trot. All four riders qualified for the upcoming Zone competition.

"It was quite a day," said Peggy McElveen, director of the St. Andrews Equestrian Center. "We've never had that many to go to Zones!"

Alexis Stevenson, a senior psychology and equine studies major, and sophomore Audrey Bolte qualified as alternates for the Zones if someone should not be able to attend the competition.

Cacchione congratulated every rider for qualifying for the regional finals.

"This region is one of the toughest regions in the country," he said. "My hat is off to St. Andrews which is not only riding in today's show, but they're also working the show."

In addition to the excellent staff hosting equestrian shows at St. Andrews, Cacchione lauded the college's facilities.

"St. Andrews has reset the standard for equestrians at the college level with their facilities," he said. The 300-acre equestrian facilities include three competition arenas (two covered), five outdoor and teaching arenas, two hunter trials courses, four barns with 112 stalls, and a dressage arena.

There are now 370 colleges competing in 31 regions. There are more than 8,500 riders competing in the IHSA.

Cacchione said St. Andrews offers most college level riding disciplines and combines this with a strong therapeutic horsemanship program.

"St. Andrews students benefit from the educational facet of the therapeutic horsemanship program as well as the experience of the crossover between riding disciplines," he said. "To have facilities like this, I hope some-day in the near future St. Andrews will host the National Finals of the IHSA."