PUTNAM IS NATIONAL CHAMPION; SAINTS FINISH AS RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

May 9: St. Lawrence University sophomore Kristin Putnam became the Saints first national champion in riding since 2001 when she won the individual walk-trot-canter competition at the 2008 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Championships in Los Angeles on Friday and the Saint team finished as Reserve National Champions in a tight finish to the Collegiate Cup competition.

First year collegiate rider Suzanne Snyder rode for the Saints in open on the flat and was called out first in a ride-off to determine the class standings. Snyder was bumped down a spot to second in the final class standings, finishing as Reserve National Champion in open on the flat, and the University of Kentucky ended up as national team champions in an 18-team field.

Callie Schott of Kentucky won the class, giving Kentucky its third win in eight classes in the Collegiate Cup Championship and the win. The Saints, who jumped from seventh to second with Snyder’s ride and finished as Reserve National Champions for the second time in the last seven years.

“They worked off the top six in the open on the flat and Suzanne was called out first and had a great ride, but for some reason they bumped her down a spot to second. It can be a lot like figure skating when it comes what catches a judge’s eye,” said Saint coach Mary Drueding.

“It was a real nail-biter…we were so close,” the Saint coach added.

Snyder became the second Saint reserve champion in Collegiate Cup competition, joining Nick Depheteros, who was reserve national champion in walk-trot competition. Hadley Deming and Mallory Roberts also scored for the Saints with fifth place finishes in novice on the flat and walk-trot-canter competition.

Putnam, the Zone 2 champion in walk-trot-canter, led a field of 18 riders to become the Saints first national champion since Ashley Dann in 2001.

Dorothy Douglas scored 72 points in the USEF/Cacchione Cup competition for high point riders and finished 15th overall in a field of 31 riders.