What Penn State team tied for a national championship last year and had three All-Americans?

What Penn State team won the championship practicing only twice per week while much of its competition practiced daily?

At a University used to championship caliber teams -- football, wrestling, and women's lacrosse to name a few -- it might be surprising that the answer is the equestrian team.

The equestrians had three individuals and a team qualify for the Intercollegiate National Championship Horse Show at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. And while there, the team mostly competed against schools which offer majors in equestrian science, which allows them to practice every day. Penn State practices only twice per week for a total of two hours.

"It's like a school with a small football program fielding a team against a school that has a major in football," said Jinny Grottendiek, one of the team's riders.

Undaunted by the odds, the team galloped away from Mount Holyoke with a national championship under its belt by tying Colby-Sawyer College for top honors and the Cartier Cup.

"It's a tribute to the dedication of the team and good coaching," said Jody Maurer, one of the individuals who qualified for nationals last year. "We were determined to do well and all gave 101 percent."

That dedication lies with every rider, but the good coaching can be attributed to Jane Flyn. A professional horseperson, she founded the team in 1971 and has been head coach since. Riders say she is one of the main reasons they won at nationals last year.

"Coach Flyn does a phenomenal job," said James Marino, another team member. "She has that eye that allows her to pick up on the smaller points of riding that distinguish between champions and second place."

In addition to the team that went to Mount Holyoke, co-captain Kristin Chick, Jody Maurer and Laurie Lomison won their regions and zones, thus earning the right to vie for individual championships.

This year's possibilities look promising for sending another team to nationals. The equestrians have an enormous lead in Region 14 and believe they have a good chance to win at the zone competition.

"We have a very strong team. It is the most dedicated team I've seen in my four years," captain Lauren Welch said. "Our chances are very good to send a team to nationals."

Chances look equally bright for Welch to go to nationals as an individual. She is the high point rider in the region as an open level rider.

The equestrian team normally is divided into two classifications: stock seat and hunt seat, though the team is not competing in the stock seat this year. The hunt seat uses the English style of riding and the stock seat uses the Western style.

The team is also divided into levels of experience, in compliance with national regulations. Levels one through seven compete "on the flat," (no jumping) and levels eight through 10 jump fences.

This system allows riders with little experience to compete at their own level and permits the experts to do the same.

"People think that because we are national champions, that we don't need beginners," Marino said. "We are in desperate need of beginners. The lowest levels are often the hardest to fill."

Intercollegiate competitions greatly differ from those held in high schools or the professional ranks. At collegiate meets, the host team provides the horses, so the visitors are unfamiliar with the animals. Aside from a slight home-horse advantage, this is when competition truly pits rider against rider, not who can afford the most expensive horse, Marino said.

"A good equestrian rider must be versitile" Chick said. "You will have to be able to ride a large variety of horses."

The regional tournament will be hosted by Penn State on April 15 and competition promises to be more intense in the zone tournament.