CROOKSTON, Minn. (Oct. 30, 2007) – The Great Midwestern International Horse Show recently named Nicky Overgaard as the 2007 Horsewoman of the Year. Overgaard is an instructor in equine industries management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
Overgaard is a previous Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) rider and founding member of the U of M, Crookston Golden Eagle Equestrian team. She led the Golden Eagles to Hunt and Western IHSA regional championships during the 1997-1998 season. That same season, Overgaard helped coached teammates to the IHSA nationals. Overgaard opened her own training business in 1997 where she has had a great deal of success including winning the Red River Valley Super Horse award with a horse from local horse breeder, Lannis Bergsgaard.
Overgaard has coached multiple riders at the U of M, Crookston to IHSA Zone Championships. For the past ten years, Overgaard has served as an instructor in the University of Minnesota, Crookston equine program. She teaches such courses as training and showing, reproduction, western horsemanship, driving and English equitation. Overgaard has devoted herself to teaching and developing the talents of her students while sharing her passion for horses and serving as an ambassador for the horse industry. Overgaard served on the board for the Red River Valley Horse Breeders Association (RRVHBA) for several years.
The RRVHBA has been hosting one of the largest futurities in the Red River Valley for over four decades. It provides the opportunity for local breeders to promote their stallions and show subsequent offspring in the late fall horse show futurity. By awarding the Horsewoman/Horseman of the Year, the association has been recognizing outstanding individuals each year for their contributions to promoting and contributing to the horse industry in the Red River Valley.
“Nicky continues to be a valued member of the Equine Science Program at the U of M, Crookston,” reflects Ron Del Vecchio, Ph.D., head of the Agriculture Department. “Her dedication to the students and to the integrity of the academic experience they receive serves as a constant motivator. Nicky is most deserving of this award and I am pleased that she has been justly honored as this year’s recipient. I cannot think of a more deserving individual.”
A native of Red Lake Falls, Minn., Overgaard graduated from U of M, Crookston with a bachelor’s degree in equine industries management. She received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Mary in 2005.
She and her husband, Jamie, reside in East Grand Forks, Minn., with their three children Austin, Justin and Braden.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. Invent yourself at the University of Minnesota, Crookston – become a leader, innovate through technology and research and secure the career you want. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.
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