April 9, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 
Smith Alumna Jessica Willis Qualifies for IHSA National Championships

Northampton, MA:  Smith alumna, Jessica Willis ’05, has qualified for the 40^th annual Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s (IHSA) National Championships that will be held at the Big “E” coliseum in West Springfield, MA, May 3 through 6.  Willis, who placed third in Intermediate Over Fences at the 2003 National Championships as a sophomore at Smith, will compete in the Alumnae Equitation On The Flat in May.

            Willis had a wonderful year winning almost every alumnae flat class and qualified for Regionals in both flat and fences. At Regionals, eighteen out of 79 moved on to the Zone finals, where the top two from each of the four regions in the Zone vie for a National berth.  Willis earned two of the 18 spots when she finished as Regional Champion in Alumnae Over Fences and Reserve Champion in Alumni on the Flat.  At the Zone Finals only eighteen individuals out of 74 proceed to Nationals. Willis finished fifth in New England in Alumni Over Fences and qualified for Nationals in Alumni Flat when she rode to Reserve Champion beating some of the IHSA’s top alumnae in her flat class, including former Cacchione Cup winner, Amanda Forte from Brown University.

             Willis, who is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts, will serve as “Hospitality Chair” at the upcoming National Championships.