September 13, 2007 -- The first two regional qualifying equitation competitions were held September 8-9 for the 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. The winner of Region 2 was Maria Schaub of Holmdel, N.J. Sara Green of Sherborn, Mass., was the winner of Region 3. The 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championships will be held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament October 31-November 4, in Syracuse, N.Y.

Schaub, an EquiSearch.com blogger, won the Region 2 event in 2005 and placed second last year. Region 2 includes riders from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is often one of the most hard-fought qualifiers.

This year, she rode I-Toon, a seven-year-old mare that she has worked with since this past winter. Schaub said she enjoyed riding in the new venue at Old Salem Farm this year and was "very excited" about her win. "It was a nice surprise," she said. "I-Toon has come a long way this year, and it was nice to win a big class with her."

"I love showing in Syracuse," Schaub added. "It's a really nice horse show, and I think it's amazing that the equitation riders in the Maclay get to show in the same arena as the international jumper riders."

Green's Region 3 includes riders from 12 different Southeastern states. Green rode her horse Why Not Jack to the win. The riders in Region 3 also competed at a new facility this year. The North Florida Hunter Jumper Association hosted the show in Green Cove Springs, Fla.

Green noted that the course was more difficult than years past, and the regional had more entries than last year. The riders competed under the lights at night in the covered arena. This was Green's third time showing in an ASPCA Maclay qualifier. The 15-year-old is looking forward to preparing for this year's ASPCA Maclay National Championship. "My goal is to make it to the second round," she said.

There are six remaining regional qualifiers for the ASPCA Maclay National Championships. They are: