Hunt Seat equestrian team qualifies four riders for IHSA Zone 4 Championships

Saturday, February 15

Wilmington, NC

8:00 AM

Liberty University Club Sports

IHSA Region 4 Championships

Senior Hunt Seat rider John Hutchinson will compete in Open Fences, Open Flat, and in the High Point Rider division at the April 5 IHSA Zone 4 Championships in Blacksburg, Va. (Photos by Grace Greer)

Hunt Seat equestrian team qualifies four riders for IHSA Zone 4 Championships

2/26/2025 1:39:00 PM | Equestrian

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Senior John Hutchinson, the Region 4 High Point Rider, finished first in Open Flat and Open Fences for the April 5 show at Virginia Tech, where he is also eligibile to qualify for the Cacchione Cup at the May 2-4 IHSA National Championships in North Carolina.

Gallery: (2-22-2025) Hunt Seat Region 4 Equestrian show

Liberty University's Equestrian Center hosted the IHSA Region 4 Championships on Saturday, when the Flames and Lady Flames had four riders qualify for the April 5 IHSA Zone 4 Championships at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., with top-two finishes in their respective divisions.

Senior John Hutchinson finished first in Open Fences and Open Flat and was recognized as the 2024-2025 Region 4 High Point Rider for the Year, based on his points from all eight regular-season shows. He totaled 74 points, 20 more than Kate Howlin, the Reserve High Point Rider from Mary Washington University.

Senior Tristan Battin, junior Katie Staib, and sophomore Madeleine Hammond also qualified for the Zone competition. Battin captured a blue ribbon in Intermediate Fences; Staib came in second in Limit Fences; and Hammond placed first in Novice Flat. Also on Saturday, sophomore Sophia Golden finished third in Introductory Flat, narrowly missing qualifying for Zones.

With top-two showings at Virginia Tech, the four Liberty riders can clinch bids to compete in the May 2-4 IHSA National Championships at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C.

"The competition will be tough, but the team members that have qualified are very strong in their events and very seasoned," Liberty Head Coach Suzanne Flaig said. "They've been doing this for a while, so the experience should work in their favor."

Hutchinson will compete in Open Flat and Open Fences as well as in the High Point Rider class at Virginia Tech, as one of five representatives from the five regions in Zone 4. The top three riders in that category will qualify for the Cacchione Cup, the most prestigious event in the IHSA National Championships.

Twelve graduating riders were recognized on Senior Day at Saturday's Region 4 show: Hutchinson and his twin sister Claire Hutchinson, Battin, Shelby Coble, Guilia D'Addesi, Alexis Evans, Ruth McAtee, Amanda Mast, Abigail Rice, Hannah Summerlin, Tiffany Walker, and Ellie Ward.

Liberty President Dondi Costin and his wife Vickey attended the event.

Video edited by Andrew Musser/Club Sports Video & Media Coordinator