Sweet Briar sophomore claims region title; three Vixens qualify for Zone 4 IHSA finals

Sophomore Madeleine McAllister won the Region 4 Championship in walk, trot, while two other Vixens will join McAllister as individual competitors at the Zone 4 finals following Saturday’s Region 4 Show hosted by Sweet Briar at the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center.

McAllister was Sweet Briar’s lone region champion, topping the field in walk, trot on Saturday morning.

Sophomore Kaitlin Duecker (Chesapeake, Va.) qualified for the Zone 4 Show in a pair of events, finishing as reserve champion in noviceflat and over novice fences. Joining McAllister and Duecker as individual competitors at the Zone 4 finals will be first-year Chloe Kerschl (Lexington, Va.) after she finished as reserve champion in intermediate flat.

Prior to Saturday’s show, Region 4 awards were presented, including the Lauren Burns Sportsmanship Award, which went to Sweet Briar senior Ailish Rhoades (Lebanon, Conn.). The Sweet Briar IHSA team was recognized before Saturday’s event as the Zone 4 team champions for the second straight season and third overall.

Sweet Briar also recognized its senior class of Rhoades, Nicole Sabovik (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Taylor Jefferson for their contributions to the program.

The Zone 4 finals are scheduled for April 6 at The Barracks Farm in Charlottesville, hosted by the University of Virginia.