March 16, 2003

Kansas State English rider, Allison Woodworth, was crowned Cacchoine Cup High-Point Rider for Zone 9 Region 2 Sunday afternoon at Fox Creek Stables at Region 2 competition. The award is given to the rider who accumulates the most points in the open classes throughout the season. Teammate Dehlia Burdan won the reserve.

With the win Woodworth qualifies to compete for the USAE/Cacchoine Cup at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Competition in Murfreesboro, Tenn. hosted by Middle Tennessee State on May 1-5.

"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to compete against riders that I have never seen before," Woodworth said. "I am really looking forward to the challenge and I know that I will take much away from the experience."

"Allison has been a strong rider for us all year," assistant coach Meghan Cunningham said. "She will do a wonderful job of representing the region and our school at nationals."

At Region 2 competition, the Wildcats qualified seven of the 11 K-State individuals who rode for Zone 9 competition. Because of a miscommunication in the points for K-State rider Maureen Reynolds, she was allowed to ride.

To qualify for Zone 9 competition the rider must place in the top two. The following 'Cats qualified: Natalie Bennett (novice fences and novice flat), Burdan (open fences and open flat), Jessica Gittleman (walk/trot), Jacquie Griffin (open flat), Julie Hufft (walk/trot/canter), Melissa Thompson (intermediate flat and novice fences) and Woodworth (open fences and open flat).

"The women rode very well today," Cunningham said. "I am so pleased we were able to qualify seven individuals for zones. We've also qualified as a team for zone competition."

The Wildcats won the regional team standings and qualified as a team for Zone 9 competition. The riders on the team can be those who have qualified as individuals and each rider will serve as the K-State point rider for that class. Natalie Bennett (intermediate flat), Anne Brammeier (walk/trot), Lauren Demmel (intermediate fences), Jenae Grossart (novice flat), Summer Hamil (novice fences), Natalie Poholsky (walk/trot/canter), Woodworth (open fences and open flat) will comprise K-State's team.

Purdue hosts the Zone 9 English show April 12 in West Lafayette, Ind. Results will be available after the show at www.k-statesports.com

Individual Results:
Open Fences:
1. Allison Woodworth, KSU. 2. Dehlia Burdan, KSU. 3. Maureen Reynolds, KSU.

Intermediate Fences:
1. Jessica Katzman, ISU.

Novice Fences:
1. Natalie Bennett, KSU. 2. Melissa Thompson, KSU.

Open Flat:
1. Dehlia Burdan, KSU. 2. Allison Woodworth, KSU. 3. Joanne Numrich, SIUC.

Walk/Trot:
1. Marillyn Ivn, NIU. 2. Beth Shelton, ISU. 3. Jessica Byrd, SMSU.

Intermediate Flat:
1. Jessica Katzman, ISU. 2. Melissa Thompson, KSU. 3. Sarah Waxman, KSU.

Novice Flat:
1. Natalie Bennett, KSU. 2. Jacquie Griffin, KSU.

Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter:
1. Julie Hufft, KSU. 2. Carrie Hout, TSU. 3. Amy Fairbairn, SIUC. 4. Sara Pittenger, KSU. 5. Rachel Pierson, KSU.

Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter:
1. Jessica Gittleman, KSU. 2. Joshua Ramey, ISU.

~ksu~