OCALA, Fla. – The SCAD equestrian team won its 16^th consecutive IHSA Regional Championship title in the largest region in the country with 13 schools at every show and only growing.
 
The Bees overall season score was 433 points giving them a 110-point lead over the region, the largest lead in the school's history. 
 
2nd- UCF with 323 points
3rd- FSU - 284
4th- UF - 283
5th- USF- 253
6th- UNF- 237
7th- UT - 228
8th- Keiser- 226
9th- Stetson- 206
10th- FAU- 200
 
Winning the region advanced SCAD on to compete as a team at the Zone Championship where the top 5 Regional Champion teams from the 5 Regions in our Zone will faceoff to earn one of the top two spots advancing on to the National Championship.
 
Athletes compete all season earning points to qualify for the individual regional championship, a challenge in itself. This year SCAD had 13 riders qualify to compete in 15 classes, the most of any school in the Bees' region. 
 
At the end of the season the overall High Point Riders of the region are announced, the rider with the highest score in the Open division will advance on to the Zone Championship to compete for a chance to continue on to the IHSA National Finals competing in the Cacchione Cup. SCAD's Alex Alston won the Regional High Point rider title for the second time with a 57-point lead. Teammates Henry Hollis and Kayla Bardgett were 6^th and 9^th in the region. 
 
This year was the largest Regional Championship to date. In each division, only the top two riders advance forward. 
 
The competition day started with the Individual Open Flat with seven riders qualified.
SCAD's Senior Kayla Bardgett earned the Reserve Regional Champion Title, while Senior Alex Alston was fourth.
 
Both Alex Alston and Freshman Henry Hollis competed in the Open over fences but did not advance.
 
The Limit over fences had two sections, with 15 riders qualified, one being a SCAD rider. The judges called back the top six for a final round and Junior Peter Cavagnac earned the Regional Champion title.
 
The Limit flat division had three sections with 21 riders. SCAD had four riders compete:
Sophomore Annika Vogel, Junior Alex Miller, Junior Mackenzie Paul and Peter Cavagnac.
 
Three of the riders were called back for the final round with Peter Cavagnac being named the Regional Champion, while Mackenzie Paul finished in third, and Alex Miller in fifth.
 
In the Novice division there were also three sections, with 17 riders. SCAD had four riders compete: Senior Ellie Maxwell, Senior Jessica Bosse, Senior Lexie Stoebenau and Senior Donni Athey.
 
All four riders were called back for the final round. Ellie Maxwell was Regional Champion, Lexie Stoebenau was Reserve Regional Champion, Jessica Bosse was third, and Donni Athey was fourth.
 
There was one section of the Introductory division, and SCAD had two riders. Senior Hannah Durrwachter was third, while Sophomore Grace Borrell was fifth.
 
The IHSA Zone 5 Region 5 had a special recognition in the day for the graduating Seniors, having a total of 50, 15 which were from SCAD.
 
The Bees will continue to prepare for the post-season, setting their focus on Zones!