April 9, 2003

YAPHANK, NY - Senior Kristine Brackenridge (Brookville, NY) won the Open Flat competition at the Region I Championship Horse Show to lead four Sacred Heart riders into the Zone 3 Championships, in Dover Delaware on April 13.

In a close race determined in their final class of the season, it was a SHU sophomore who came from behind to challenge the leaders. On Sunday, team co-captain Kate Janczak became Sacred Heart's third Open Rider, in as many seasons, to earn the title of Zone 3, Region 1 Reserve High Point Rider. The margin separating Kate from the High-Point Rider was a mere one point. Should for any reason the Regional High Point Rider be unable to attend the IHSA National Horse Show, the opportunity to compete in the prestegious Cacchione Cup will belong to Janczak. Coming into today's show, eight riders entered the show mathematically able to earn top honors, five within six points of one another.

To her credit, Janczak earned a third place on the flat putting her at 45 points with one class to go. Following the morning's flat classes, SHU's Emily Grayson found herself tied with Fairfield's Jessica Matherson for the High Point Title (with 50 points apiece). Grayson led the standings coming into today's show by a mere two points. Unfortuantely for Grayson, a stop on course made holding onto the lead impossible. A flawless trip by Janczak gave her a first-place finish leaving her 1 point behind Matherson (who placed 5th over fences).

Throughout the season Janczak has been extremely consistent over fences most often placing 1st or second in her section. However, in the past two shows her flat points have helped boost her overall point totals. A pair of 1st place finishes at the Yale Intercollegiate Show moved Janczak up from 8th to 3rd in the overall High Point Rider Standings.

The Ballston Spa native will be one of two competitors to ride in Sunday's Zone 3, Region 1 Championship Horse Show in Open Fences. For her efforts, she has automatically earned a trip to the Zone 3 Championship Horse Show, as the top two finishers at Regionals continue on to Zones. From Zones, the top 2 competitors in each class will be invited to compete at the IHSA National Horse Show.

Janczak succeeds current team co-Captain Carolina Kronqvist and SHU Alumna Celli Falco who earned the titles in 2002 and 2001 respectively. Ironically enough, Falco's title was also decided in the final Open Fences class of the competition year at Smoke Run Farm.

Class 8:  Open Fences
1.  Jessica Matherson (#21), Fairfield University
2.  Kate Janczak (# 42), Sacred Heart University


Class 6:  Intermediate Fences
1.  Destiny Caldwell (#1), C.W. Post
2.  Kristen George (#18), Fairfield University
3.  Stacey Caldwell (#2), C.W. Post
4.  Kristine Brackenridge (# 36), Sacred Heart University
5.  Philippa Pavia (#55), Yale University
6.  Tally Piacentine (#3), C.W. Post


Class 10:  Alumni Fences
1.  Margot Sanger-Katz (#57), Yale University
2.  Christina Pratt (#44), Sacred Heart University


Class 4:  Novice Fences
1.  Tina Rocco (#33), Molloy College
2.  Sonia Knutsen (#20), Fairfield University
3.  Emre Batur (#7), Dowling College
4.  Kristie O'Keefe (#50), St. Joseph's College
5.  Jason Lacterosa (#8), Dowling College


Class 9:  Alumni Flat
1.  Stephanie Rigert (#52), St. Joseph's College
2.  Maria Triolo (#6), C.W. Post


Class 3:  Novice Flat
1.  Tricia Crispens (#46), St. Joseph's College
2.  Anna Robertson (#56), Yale University
3.  Crystal Cassetori (#38), Sacred Heart University
4.  Jenn Santorello (#26), Fairfield University
5.  Priscilla Connors (#14), Fairfield University


Class 7:  Open Flat
1.  Kristine Brackenridge (#36), Sacred Heart University
2.  Emily Grayson (#41), Sacred Heart University
3.  Destiny Caldwell (#1), C.W. Post
4.  Jillian Brown (#12), Fairfield University


Class 5:  Intermediate Flat
1.  Victoria Logan (#49), St. Joseph's College
2.  Kristen George (#18), Fairfield University
3.  Stacey Caldwell (#2), C.W. Post
4.  Valerie Ackhanian (#11), Fairfield University
5.  Kristie O'Keefe (#50), St. Joseph's College
6.  Sue Ploski (#23), Fairfield University


Class 1:  Walk/Trot
1.  Lynda Wilmott (#27), Fairfield University
2.  Kim Shea (#35), Nassau Community College
3.  Erica Cudina (#39), Sacred Herat University


Class 2:  Walk/Trot/Canter
1.  Christina Piola (#22), Fairfield University
2.  Cherilynn Raffone (#51), St. Joseph's College
3.  Desiree Funaro (#47), St. Joseph's College
4.  Brooke Hanisch (#48), St. Joseph's College
5.  Christine Buker (#37), Sacred Heart University
6.  Julia Bailey (#45), St. John's University