Chronicle of the Horse Reports

Lexington, Ky.-- The Skidmore College riding team led from start to finish on the way to the 2010 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship held May 6-8 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The win marks the sixth time Skidmore has won the IHSA national title with the last win coming in 1999.

The Thoroughbreds scored 28 points to win the 19-team event by eight points over Centenary College and the University of Findlay who tied for second with 20 points. The University of Kentucky was fourth with 18, six ahead of Hollins University, Stanford University, and Stonehill College.

Quoted in the Chronicle of the Horse, Skidmore coach Cindy Ford was impressed with her team.

“Our strategy was to have them be mentally prepared, confident, and have them walk in there saying 'I own this ring, I am the best and I'm going to do the best I can,' ” said Ford. “They're so committed, and it doesn't wane. They get more and more enthusiastic every year that they ride.”

Skidmore took second place in five events of the eight events. Scoring five points each for the Thoroughbreds were Isabella McKeon (Walk-Trot-Canter), Laura Roberts (Novice over Fences), Chelsea Jones (Intermediate on the Flat and Intermediate over Fences), and Kelly Campbell (Open on the Flat).

Elizabeth Kigin added three points in the Open over Fences to secure the win. Kigin also finished eighth in the Cacchione Cup for the nation's top riders.

In the individual competition, Skidmore's Alexandra McGuire won the national title in the Walk-Trot-Canter and Kigin took first in the Open on the Flat.  Flavia D'Urso was fourth in the Open over Fences and Grier Filley was fifth in the Intermediate on the Flat.

Final Standings
1. Skidmore College 28
2. Centenary College 20
T. University of Findlay 20
4. University of Kentucky 18
5. Hollins University 12
T. Stanford University 12
T. Stonehill College 12
8. Delaware Valley College 11
T. Virginia Intermont 11
10. Cazenovia 9
11. Mount Holyoke 8
12. College of Charleston 6
13. West Texas A&M 4
14. Lafayette College 3
15. West Virginia Univ. 2
16. Oregon State 0
17. Sewanee 0
18. St. Mary of the Woods 0
19. Truman State 0