(Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston Western Equestrian team had a solid home show this past weekend. Despite the weather conditions, 10 of the 12 teams were able to compete on Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10. Overall, the Golden Eagles placed third both days in team points. This still places U of M, Crookston second overall in the team rankings with two shows remaining.
Individually, Kayla Klein (Fr, Hazen, N.D.) qualified for the regional competition on April 12 in Madison, Wis. by placing third on Saturday and winning the Blue Ribbon on Sunday to point out of the Intermediate Class into the Novice Class. Another Regional qualifier this weekend was Jessica Hanson (So, Andover, Minn.) who qualified out of Intermediate Class and into Novice Class with a second place ribbon on Saturday. She placed second on Sunday in the Novice Class.
Other class winners were Sheena Engelbert (Sr, Bruce Crossing, Mich.) who won the Open Rail Division on Sunday and Amber Miller (Sr, DePere, Wis.) who won the Novice Class on Saturday. Shannon Schoenberger (Sr, Perham, Minn.), Elsa Lunden (Fr, Annandale, Minn.), Megan Claybundy (Fr, International Falls, Minn.) and Melanie Regan (Sr, Anchorage, Alaska) all won in their respective classes.
“I was very pleased with how our riders did at our show,” says Golden Eagle Western Coach Nicky Overgaard. “More impressive was their ability to work together as a team to host this competition. Hosting horse shows is a major undertaking that takes a great deal of planning and coordination. Every last team member did their part in making sure the show ran efficiently.”
The Western season winds down with the last regular season show at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday, Feb. 23. Events get underway at 1:00 pm.
“I expect several more riders to qualify for the Regional Competition in addition to the five riders currently qualified,” says Coach Overgaard. “If any of our riders place first or second at the Regional Competition, we will go to Texas for the semifinals. I am confident that several of our riders will be able to qualify for semifinals.”
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
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UMC News