The Woods

By Ali Mahloch
Staff Writer

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals is a prestigious competition where only the best of the best equine enthusiasts qualify and riders are out for the win. Over 8,300 students represent 370 or more colleges every year and the sole goal of all of them is to make it to Nationals.
Both the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Western and Hunt Seat teams compete in the IHSA each year, traveling to about 20 shows per season.
Western Coach Sara Schulz has high hopes for the team going to Nationals this year.
“Highpoint team for sure!” she said.
“My expectations are that each individual rider be the best that they can be.”
These expectations follow a single rider, current senior Whitney Mahloch, making it all the way to Nationals and placing 3rd in the Western event.
The 2011 IHSA National Competition was held May 5-8. It had been a tough season for both the hunt and western teams but Mahloch found her way there as an individual competitor for the Advanced level in Western, the second highest level one can compete in.
To get there she placed 3rd at the semi-finals competition held several weeks before. Only the top 4 riders of the semi-finals go to the national competition. Admittance to semi-finals required she get 1st or 2nd at the regional competition.
Mahloch also made it to nationals for Hunt Seat as the Cacchione Cup Rider for SMWC’s region. This qualification meant she had the most cumulative points throughout the season and was therefore the top rider.

Photo provided by Karen Cannon

Only riders in the Open Division, which is the highest Hunt division one can be in, can win this award.  Winning this immediately qualified her for the national competition where she would compete against all of the other Region winners.
In the Cacchione Cup competition, Mahloch didn’t have her best ride.
“I rode in the jumping class, however I did not get called back for the flat class ride off. I was just so thrilled I made it that far!” she said.
That left her Western competition. During the pattern portion of the ride, her horse became difficult and began to buck. The judges allowed her to ride a different horse and try the pattern again. As her parents, grandparents, coach and teammate Erika Stanley watched anxiously as the placing’s were called out. Mahloch secured 3rd place and was ecstatic.
This year’s National Competition will be held May 3-6 in Raleigh, North Carolina. When Mahloch was asked about the chance of getting to Nationals 2012 she proudly said “If I am fortunate enough to make it to Nationals this year, I will once again miss the biggest day of the year – graduation”
“Graduation is something we all look forward to, but given the choice I’d rather do a sliding stop down center or jump around a course, than walk across a stage.”
Sophomore Karen Cannon, who made it to the Semi-finals last year as a freshman in the Intermediate division, hopes to give Nationals another try.
“I hope to qualify for Semi-finals again, and this time I want to make it to Nationals!” she said.
To follow both the Hunt Seat and Western team events, visit their website at http://www.smwc.edu/athletics/equestrian/. Look for future Equestrian team coverage in The Woods.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Jan. 21st – Western Show hosted by Purdue University @ Foxton Farm
Jan. 28th – Western Show hosted by Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Feb. 11th & 12th – Hunt Seat Shows hosted by Ball State @ Black Dog Farms
Feb. 18th & 19th – Hunt Seat Shows hosted by Purdue University @ Foxton Farm
Hunt Seat Regionals – February 25, 2012 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Western Regionals – March 2, 2012 at Gordyville OR Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (TBA)
Western Semi-Finals – March 24-25, 2012 at Floriday State University
Hunt Seat Zones – April 1,2012, Black Dog Farms
Nationals – May 3-6, 2012, Raleigh, North Carolina

Popularity: 16% [?]

By Jade Scott
Editor-in-Chief

As the end of the 2010 semester approaches both Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Equestrian teams, Hunt and Western, have wrapped up their fall season and look ahead to their first shows of the New Year.
The Hunt Seat team ended the season at a show on Nov. 20 and 21, hosted by Taylor University and Ball State University at Black Dog Farms.
Since both days of shows were located in an in-door arena, weather was not a problem.
“As a whole it went really well because it was run very well,” said Jennifer Kieras, freshman. “It made a difference that we were all there together as a team instead of being separated like we are when we host a show.”
The Nov. 20 show resulted in SMWC as the High Point Team.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Open Fences:  Alex Amos-3rd

Intermediate Fences:  Whitney Mahloch-1st, Darby Hall-2nd, and  Hannah Reeley-3rd

Novice Fences:  Chelsey Sears-2nd, Ali Mahloch-  3rd, and Hannah Bardo-6th

Open Flat:  Whitney Mahloch-2nd, and Alex Amos-5th

Intermediate Flat:  Darby Hall-5th and Hannah Bardo-6th

Novice Flat:  Chelsey Sears-1st, Ali Mahloch-2nd, Bethany Erli-2nd, Cortni Bigley-3rd, and Lauren Broderick-5th

Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter:  Abigail Paul-4th

Beginning Walk-Trot-Canter:  Tracey Dykstra-1st

Walk-Trot:  Whitney Damron-3rd

The Nov. 21 show once again resulted in SMWC as the High Point Team.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Open Fences:  Alex Amos-3rd and Whitney Mahloch-6th

Intermediate Fences:  Hannah Reeley-3rd and Darby Hall-4th

Novice Fences:  Lauren Broderick-2nd, Ali
Mahloch-2nd, Bethany Erli-5th, and Hannah Bardo-6th

Open Flat:  Whitney Mahloch-2nd and Alex  Amos-6th

Intermediate Flat:  Hannah Reeley-1st and Hannah Bardo-3rd

Novice Flat:  Ali Mahloch-1st, Chelsey Sears- 2nd, Jennifer Kieras-3rd, Cortni Bigley-3rd, Lauren Broderick-4th, and Bethany Erli-5th

Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter:  Abigail Paul-2nd

Beginning Walk-Trot-Canter:  Tracey Dykstra- 3rd

Walk-Trot:  Whitney Damron-2nd

“With this season ending I feel that it has overall gone well,” said Paul.  “I have personally pointed up into a new division, qualified for regionals in Western, and I am close to qualifying for regionals in Hunt Seat.”
Several members of the Equine teams ride in both Hunt and Western shows.  Those riders would be Karen Cannon, freshman, Tracy Dykstra, freshman, Ali Mahloch, freshman, Whitney Mahloch, junior, Abigail Paul, senior, Jordyn Perrott, junior, and Chelsey Sears, senior.
“Sometimes it is annoying to switch back and forth between Hunt and Western because of the different body positions,” Paul said.  “But in the end I am getting more experience and more riding time.”
The Western team ended their fall season on Nov. 13 at a show in Brookston, hosted by Purdue University and Purdue-Calumet.
The weather seemed to cooperate for the morning show but as the day went on it began to rain.
“We had to make sure that the horses were taken to either the barn or back to the trailer if they were already done for the day,” said Katrina Muhs, freshman.  “This was because we didn’t want the saddles getting wet and we just wanted to make sure the horses were in good condition.”
In the morning show Purdue University came away with the High Point Team with 22 points, SMWC came in right behind with Reserve Team at 18 points, and Morgan Purdy was named the High Point Rider.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Reining: Morgyn Purdy-1st

Open Rail:  Morgyn Purdy-5th

Advanced: Chelsey Sears-2nd and Ashley Bruner- 4th

Novice: Erika Stanley-2nd, Victoria Toy-3rd, Jordyn Perrot-4th, and Ali Mahloch-6th

Intermediate II: Tracey Dykstra-1st, Karen Cannon-2nd, Emily Theising-2nd, Katrina Muhs- 3rd, Abigail Paul-3rd, and Madison Haruff-6th

Walk Trot: Jena Thralls-2nd, Logan Fry-3rd, and Kaitlyn Wainscott-5th

The afternoon show once again resulted in Purdue University coming away with the High Point Team with 26 points and SMWC with the Reserve at 16 points.

The individual results are as follow:

Advanced: Whitney Mahloch-3rd

Novice: Jordyn Perrott-1st, Erika Stanley-1st, Ali Mahloch-5th, and Victoria Toy-5th

Intermediate II: Katrina Muhs-1st, Karen Cannon-1st, Abigail Paul-2nd, Tracey Dykstra-4th, and Maidson Haruff-6th

Walk Trot:  Logan Fry-1st and Kaitlyn Wainscott- 2nd

Western will return in January with its first show of the new year hosted by SMWC on Jan. 29. The Hunt Seat team will have its next show on Feb. 5-6 at Black Dog Farms, hosted Taylor University and Ball State University.

Popularity: 58% [?]

By Annie Jones
Staff Writer
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods hunt seat team hosted the first show for the region on Saturday, Oct. 16.  The hunt seat team claimed the title of High Point Team. The next Hunt Seat shows are on Nov. 6 and 7 at Purdue.
RESULTS:
Open Fences
Alex Amos 6th
Intermediate Fences
Whitney Mahloch 1st
Novice Fences Class A
Hannah Reeley 1st
Ali Mahloch 3rd
Novice Fences Class B
Darby Hall 4th
Hannah Bardo 6th
Open Flat
Alex Amos 3rd
Intermediate Flat
Whitney Mahloch 1st
Hannah Reeley 3rd
Darby Hall 4th
Novice Flat Class B
Alexandra Mahloch 1st
Novice Flat Class D
Karen Cannon 1st
Cortni Bigley 3rd
Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Class A
Devin Lintzenich 1st
Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Class B
Jordyn Perrott 1st
Chelsey Sears 2nd
Natalie Brown 3rd
Abigail Paul 5th
Beginning Walk/Trot/Canter Class A
Tracey Dykstra 2nd
Beginning Walk/Trot/Canter Class B
Lauren Nelson 1st
Walk/Trot
Whitney Damron 5th

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s western team kicked off their first two shows for the season on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Gifford, Ill. The western team took sixth place then took Reserve High Point Team. The next two shows will be Oct. 30 at SMWC. The first show begins at 9 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.
RESULTS A.M. Show:
Open Rail
Morgyn Purdy 3rd
Advanced
Ashley Bruner 2nd
Whitney Mahloch 4th
Chelsey Sears 5th
Novice
Alexandra Mahloch 1st
Erika Stanley 5th
Intermediate 2
Karen Cannon 4th
Victoria Toy 5th
Emily Theising 6th
Intermediate 1
Abigail Paul 1st
Tracey Dykstra 4th
Walk/Trot
Kaitlin Wainscott 3rd
RESULTS P.M. Show:
Open Reining
Morgyn Purdy 4th
Open Rail
Morgyn Purdy 1st
Advanced
Chelsey Sears 3rd
Whitney Mahloch 5th
Novice
Erika Stanley 2nd
Jordyn Perrott 4th
Intermediate 2
Katrina Muhs 1st
Intermediate 1
Abigail Paul 1st
Tracey Dykstra 3rd

Popularity: 26% [?]

By Jena Thralls
Staff Writer

Mary Bungum graduated last year with a major in Equine Business Management and Equine Science. Nervous to get out into the real world, Bungum had no idea what she wanted to do or where she would end up. Within just days, Bungum’s life seemed to fall right into place when she received phone call for a job interview at Kent Feeds.
Bungum is now an account manager for Kent Feeds, a feed company that specializes in animal nutrition.
The job itself was not anything Bungum ever expected she would do.
“This was way off my radar—I never dreamed of doing this,” said Bungum. However, Bungum said she hopes for permanence in the business.  She said Kent Feeds is caring and dedicated to its customers and employees. “I really, really love this company. It’s small and family-based—sort of like The Woods,” she said.
Chris Marks, profesor and department chair of equine studes, said students always need to keep an open mind when they are seeking success in the Equine field.
“I have to say the classes that I took really helped give me a great knowledge base for getting into the business,” Bungum says of her education from SMWC. Her Equine Science background has given her a strong knowledge base for what she does every day.
On a daily basis Bungum travels to horse farms with feed dealers across the state to sell their products. When a horse is ill or injured Bungum provides the customers with options of how they can maintain their horse’s health. She then suggests a type of feed which would be most beneficial to the horses health.
“It’s a hands on job when you’re deciding what the horses need,” Bungum said.

Popularity: 34% [?]

By Margy Frazier and Jena Thralls
Staff Writers

Ten different companies attended to seek new recruits and help students network at the Mane Event, held Oct. 19 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Ranging from summer employment to full-time opportunities, these companies included the Indianapolis Mounted Police Force, Kent Feeds and Crossroads of America Council Boy Scout Camp.
The day opened with a small period of time in which students could network with the potential employers amd they were given the chance to meet real-life employers in the equine industry, including recent graduates from The Woods.
Vicki Kosowsky, vice president for student life, then welcomed everyone and talked about SMWC’s several opportunities for those interested in horses. These range from classes for equine majors and minors to the equine team, which is open to all students.
“It’s certainly not aimed at just equine majors,” Chris Marks, profesor and department chair of equine studies, said. She mentioned that anyone with editing or computer skills could also find a job at the Mane Event.
Marks then introduced the Equine Studies faculty and the members of the Career Development Center.
Advisors and professors at SMWC push students to attend the job fairs hosted on campus each year. Attending job fairs like the Mane Event help students realistically seek employment options after graduation.
“We’re obligated to help students get their foot in the door, and that’s what this event helps us do,” Marks said. “We just had to get Mary Bungum [former SMWC student] down here. It’s one perfect example of what kinds of things the Equine field has to offer.”
After Patricia McIntyre, assistant professor of theology, led attendees in a quick prayer, the meal was served, and the guest speaker was introduced.
This year’s speaker was Julie Byrd of Bob Byrd Insurance Agency Inc, based out of Lafayette, IN. Byrd has been selling insurance for five years, though her family has been selling it for over 100 combined, as she is the third generation seller.
Byrd explained that there are eight types of insurance policies and three types of policies available for those wishing to purchase equine insurance. The three insurance types, Byrd explained, are called Equine Liability, Farm & Ranch Buildings and Mortality, Major Medical.
“Most people hear the word ‘mortality’ and think ‘death’,” Byrd said. “But in fact, Mortality, Major Medical is just health and life insurance for horses.”
Byrd has been involved with horses for over 15 years. Her family has bred both Thoroughbreds and Percherons, and she herself has trained and shown horses in the dressage discipline. Dressage is defined as the art or method of training a horse in obedience and in precision of movement.
Byrd graduated from Purdue University with a degree in psychology, but decided to carry on the family business.
Byrd covers all of the state of Indiana, not just the Lafayette area. She asks that instead of simply purchasing equine insurance off of the internet, buyers be smart and go through an actual agent.
This way, she explains, you can receive a package tailored especially to your needs.
Marks said  that students always need to keep an open mind when they are seeking success in the equine field.
“The equine industry is always good if they are willing to be adaptable,” said Marks, “And it’s important that they get a good education.”

Popularity: 30% [?]