April 1, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 Smith Equestrians Finish Third in Region; Individuals Qualify for Zones

Northampton, MA:  The Smith Equestrians, who hosted the Regional Championships today, have finished the year in third place out of eleven schools in Zone 1, Region 3 behind Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts.

            The Pioneers’ Emily Hertz (Brattleboro, VT) placed third overall for the year in the Cacchione Cup which combines her flat and jumping points; third in the overall standings in high point over fences and was reserve champion in high point flat.  Junior Michaela LeBlanc (Cotuit, MA) finished third in the standings in overall high point flat.

            In Regional competition today, Hertz was reserve champion open fences which qualifies her for Zones and placed third in open flat. Christina McKenzie also qualified for Zones winning the alumnae fences class. Jill Medinger (Newtown, CT) placed 5^th in intermediate fences and fourth in intermediate flat with teammates Elyse Lasser (Brookfield, CT) and Kimberly Meskimen (Medina, MN) finishing 3^rd and 5^th respectively in intermediate flat.  Kelly Pruden (Parsippany, NJ) in walk trot and Katherine Obara (Portsmouth, RI) in trot, canter each finished in 6^th place while LeBlanc took 7^th in open flat.

           The Zone championships will be held Saturday, April 8 at Mount Holyoke College with the top two riders in each class qualifying for Nationals which will be held in Harrisburg, PA May 4-7.