ASHAWAY, R.I. – The JWU (Providence) IHSA squad wrapped up the team portion of the 2024-25 schedule by earning Reserve Champion honors at the Zone 1 Regional Finals Sunday at Hunter Ridge. URI won the event with 251 points, followed by the Wildcats (223), Brown (176), and Salve Regina (170).
Samantha Stepanik (66 points) stood atop the Open Rider Standings as Champion High Point Rider at the conclusion of the season while
Grace Taylor was Reserve Champion High Point Rider (56 points). The pair finished 1-2 in Class 7 Open Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat.
Cadence Mirto placed first in Class 6 Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences and fourth in Class 5 Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat.
Adaline Hanes took sixth in Class 3 Limit Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat.
"Our JWU Wildcats rode well at the IHSA Region 1 Finals. Riders who placed first or second advance to the Zone 1 Finals," said Fogg. "Knowing their goal,
Samantha Stepanik and
Grace Taylor placed first -second in the Open Flat.
Cadence Mirto earned first in Intermediate Fences and will be joining her teammates at Zone Finals."
Zone 1 Finals will take place on April 6 at Mystic Valley Hunt Club in Glades Ferry, Connecticut with riders placing first or second advancing to the National Finals in Tryon, North Carolina on May 2-4.
End-of-Year Reflection
(courtesy of Dirk Fogg, IHSA Head Coach)
During the eight regular season competitions, the JWU Wildcats were Champion High Point Team for the day in four shows and Reserve High Point Team once. Both
Samantha Stepanik and
Grace Taylor earned High Point Rider of the Show this year, while Scarlette Siskind,
Tori Stedman, and
Emma Palagonia earned Reserve High Point Rider of the Show as well.
Samantha Stepanik is the first JWU Wildcat to earn the End-of-Season Open Rider title after being the Reserve High Point Rider last year. She will advance to Zone 1 Finals to compete in the Cacchione Cup. The top two riders will advance to the National Finals in Tryon, North Carolina on May 2-4.
